Replacing hot water heater

[williamnugent]

I’m in the process of replacing the hot water heater on my 1996 355 Aft Cabin. I have an identical 11 gal tank with the heat exchanger at the rear ready to swap out. Turns out getting the old one out was a nightmare. Ultimately had to disassemble the old unit and remove the outer skin then inch out the insulation and tank. I see no way the replacement unit is going into the access hole under the table. I’ve ordered a 6 gal unit though I’m concerned that that unit isn’t much smaller.
Thoughts???

[Midnightsun]

The spec on the 6g unit should have dimensions. I have replaced a 6 to an 11 on a previous boat and the 11 is much bigger. Check the dimensions but i do not think you will have an issue. Good luck.

[bud37]

Im sure you already looked at this, but would it be possible to make the access hole larger then put that back together afterwards...they must have got it in there somehow, and are there some other models that have different shapes at the same size capacity. Hopefully someone with the same model that has done this will chime in.

[Midnightsun]

Boat builders are rather dumb most of the time. I replaced a fridge in a previous boat. Had to remove the compressor to get it through the door. Luckily the replacement unit fit with about 1/16" to spare. They put the stuff in as they build without though on how to replace when things go bad, go figure.

[Viper]

If yours is like other 355s I've worked on and there is an AC unit there, once the AC unit and control box are removed, you should be able to re and re the HW tank. Is your setup different?