My water heater of 17 years died this year -- I had to cut
it in half to remove it -- but I have no plans of replacing it. I
decided that when I'm living on the hook, running the engine to heat
the water was not an effective use of diesel: The water tends to cool
down very quickly once you start to use it (as cooler water replaces
the hot water in the heating vessel). I also do not take showers in
the head, instead I have several 1.5 liter solar showers and take my
showers in the cockpit (or use dockside facilities). I do like hot
water though, especially for cleaning up greasy dishes and washing my
hands. I found a 2 liter "air pot" -- those coffee pot things that
use an air pump to force the water out, so you don't have to pour --
at a local restaurant supply store for about $50. It fits nicely in
the galley and can keep water warm for about 24 hours (so I just boil
an extra pot in the kettle in the morning). Anyone want to buy about
20 feet of used copper water line? ;-)