Paloma hot water heater - insurance company

[Shirley Cheung, Nonsuch 30C, Toronto, Ontario]

Hello all,

Marine survey done on  my to-be purchase Nonsuch 30 classic today. Everything was fine except the Paloma hot water heater.

The surveyor said the pilot light and the vent system (it is NOT sealed to the ceiling; exchaust can get back in) will not be acceptable for any insurance company. I agree to decommission it (remove it) for insurance purpose. I am from Toronto, Canada.

However, what do I replace it with? I can replace it with EXCEL Hot water heater as there is NO pilot light but how about the vent system? Can this vent be SEALED to the deck? I mean we have to make sure NO exhaust can get back to the boat.

I also think about getting a heat exchanger to get the heat from the diesel engine. Problem is my engine is westerbeke 20 1983, original built! I am not even sure if this diesel engine can hooked up with a heat exchanger. Anybody has this set up out there?

Thanks so much for all your input and advice!

Shirley

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Shirley Cheung

N30 1983

Toronto, Canada

[alst...@aol.com]

Hi Shirley,

I had a Paloma on my 30C when I got her in 2002, insurance Co. was fine with it back then.   The Paloma failed around 2010 and was replaced with an Excel which is still working very well.   Take the ignition batteries out of it every fall and replace at the spring launch.  Good luck !

Regards,

Alan Steward

30C #144 MagnifiCat

Loyalist Cove Marina,

Bath, Ontario

Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

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[Joe Valinoti]

Shirley:  Are you sure about that model number?    I only know of W-13, 18, 21, 27 & 33s.  If it’s a W-27, it can definitely run an engine/electric water heater as I did my own conversion 23 years ago. Attached is a photo of the installation

beneath the cockpit & the Westerbeke bulletins.

 

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

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[Aloki / Oyster Bay NY]

I installed an excel heater when the Paloma needed parts that were unavailable. I used the old stack to vent out and love the unit. Was an easy swap out .  Faster response time to heat up water too. I agree with Alan Steward , remove the ignition battery when laid up , the contacts corrode. Best, Gary / Aloki/  Oyster Bay

[Peter Grabow]

I did the same as Gary on Aloki. Removed the Paloma, installed a low pressure (begins heating with only 2 PSI of water pressure), no pilot light, model.  It is tagged as ventless, but I didn't want all that moist heat coming into the salon, so as Gary did, I modified (slightly) the old vent hood, sealed the seams with high temperature water-heater tape (home depot) and it has been great! I also re-worked the entire propane system at the same time so it meets today's current regulations.

If you search this discussion group, there should be a a write-up with photos from perhaps 3 years ago(?)...

Peter Grabow

S/V CAKE WALK III

1987 30U 430

Stamford, CT

[Michael Jabara]

 Last winter, I also did the swap from my beloved and hated Paloma to an Excel in Hobbes II. 

While I appreciate the much more efficient electronic ignition, I am more than disappointed at how it performs compared to the Paloma. 

The Paloma mechanically regulated the inflow of water to achieve less flow but higher temperature. The Excel does not do that and consequently, even when both the settings are set to maximum water temperature, the result is tepid water in our northern California coastal marine climate where the incoming water temperature is regularly in the low 50s.

I’m not sure if I have a defective unit or that’s just the way it is. Would appreciate comments from other owners.

Michael Jabara

Hobbes II - 1995 Nonsuch 354

San Rafael, California 

On Aug 17, 2025, at 10:50 AM, Peter Grabow <pke...@gmail.com> wrote:

I did the same as Gary on Aloki. Removed the Paloma, installed a low pressure (begins heating with only 2 PSI of water pressure), no pilot light, model.  It is tagged as ventless, but I didn't want all that moist heat coming into the salon, so as Gary did, I modified (slightly) the old vent hood, sealed the seams with high temperature water-heater tape (home depot) and it has been great! I also re-worked the entire propane system at the same time so it meets today's current regulations.

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[Shirley Cheung]

Hi Peter

I do not quite understand how you modified for the vent.

Wonder if you can share a photo of your Excel unit with modified vent ?

Thanks

Shirley 

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[Shirley Cheung]

Hi   Jo

Yes, it is Westerbeke 27. I saw it on the engine. Thanks so so so much for the drawings and file ! Invaluable information !!!!

Shirley 

—-

Shirley Cheung

N33C 1983

Toronto, Canada

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[Shirley Cheung, Nonsuch 30C, Toronto, Ontario]

Hi Joe,

Your photos and graphs are immensely valuable! Thanks for sharing with me!

Thanks,

Shirley

[Shirley Cheung]

Hello Peter

Thanks for your email ! I am debating if I should have the Excel model of NO pilot light VENTLESS propane fired unit versus a calorifier (getting heat from the diesel engine).

I have a Westerbeke 27 1983 diesel engine and I still to figure out how to connect to calorifier (I need to pay somebody to do it … still unsure of the cost …)

Buying a new boats certainly expands my list to do things : )

Shirley 

On Sun, Aug 17, 2025 at 1:50 PM Peter Grabow <pke...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Thor Powell, Nonsuch 26, Victoria BC]

The gas unit is easier to install.  The engine unit requires more winterization

 In Canada the propane one is probably a better choice..