When installing a new hot water tank, don't be a cheap SOB and try to reuse the
bronze intake and output fittings from the old tank. As I did.

Seems that almost any sort of damage (even a minor scratch) that occurs when
removing these fittings from the old tank translates into a leak at the new
connection. When that is discovered, you have tank full of water as well as a
pair of unwanted fresh water washdowns in the engine room. I wound up going to
WM anyway, buying two new nylon or marelon fittings anyway, and redoing the
previous work.

While at it, I decided that 11 years of pesky leaks in the hot water side of
the potable water system had been more than enough. The builder of my boat ran
copper tubing for the hot water-which sounds like a great idea until one
realizes that solid copper tubing has the same weakness as solid strand wire-
it is more susceptible to vibration. I was always fritzing around with leaky
flare fittings in the hot water line.

New potable water hose, rated for hot water service, now installed. Just to
show that luck averages out- after I reconnected the tank, ran 35 feet of line
with two "T''s, and hooked up three hot water faucets I deliberately resolved
to be "adult" when I pressured it up. I was sure the engine room would began
resembling the rinse rack at the local car wash. Nary a leak. Not a drop.
Whoopie!

I credit my lazy approach to hose clamping with the ultimate success of the
hose clamped system. (I use a socket, not a screwdriver. Faster, tighter, and a
lot less strain on the wrist).