HRO Watermakers - Excellent Support

[dgale]

We have an HRO SEM 400 watermaker. At the touch of a button it produces 16gph of good quality water from 12 volts. It was installed on our boat by the previous owner, and was 4 years old when we bought it, 2 years ago. In those 2 years we have had some problems with the ETD (amplifier pump). HRO's support has been amazing - they have stood behind their product and shipped us replacement parts when needed and at no cost to us. Even though we are not the original purchasers and its long past any warranty. Very impressive.
Derek Gale
s/v Idyll Island

[NoTies]

Some would disagree
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I had to overhaul the clarke type pump on one after 500 hours use, seals totally worn out, the owner was very pedantic, filtration was spot on. Price of the seal kit was extremely excessive and if you can afford the time, strip pump & buy standard hydraulic seals as that is all they are. About 1/4 of the price. HRO said there watermakers were not designed for use in the tropics!!!!! I hate any watermaker manufacturer that uses proprietry parts to lock you into paying their excessive prices for repair parts.

[Tellie]

Wow NoTies, you've had a lot of problems with your boat according to the blog. Is it really equipment failure or poor installation and workmanship on the part of the boat manufacturer?

[NoTies]

The blog is not mine, it is a boat I worked on. I am currently (for 2 more weeks) working as a marine engineer specialising in desalination in Fiji so most of the stuff I write about is what I have experienced on other boats. I'm sure my boat will start falling apart once I start cruising again next month.
BTW, even though I like simplicity I do have a certain fondness for Spectra, just wish I could afford one for Nightcap. Will just have to stick with my industrial Village Marie for a while