Water maker thru hull placement

[BobFord]

Issue that I regret on my installation- inlet too high and will suck air in choppy sea. Actually installed about 400mm below calm waterline. S.B. 600 mm. Also I would install a sea chest in lieu of the strainer .Easier to clean and better blocking resistance.

[capn_billl]

I second not installing too far aft.

I would prefer it be as far forward on my boat as practical, (not too far just in front of others so I get clean water at anchorage).

You shouldn't run it if it is too rough, enough to risk air intake from surfing down waves, or extreme heeling.

You have a water tank that holds a couple days supply in case your watermaker breaks, or it's too rough to run, right?

One good thing is if you use an existing trough hull for first install any lessons learned don't result in having to re fiberglass the new hole you just drilled.

I also second getting a booster pump. whether you need it or not to insure air free water reaches your high pressure pump.

[sjrider]

Originally Posted by joelhemington

I think I'd lose the transducer and use that hole (possibly modified) for the water maker - less through hull holes is usually better and like you say, nobody really uses a paddle wheel transducer anymore as they're usually clogged with some sort of growth when you do try and use them.

I am really considering this. From memory I think that the transducer is a 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inch hole. It would be nice to have less holes in the bottom.

Originally Posted by c.K.

Any one interested in how to install a thru hull below the waterline without taking the boat out of the water, it is not too difficult done it a few times

I have replaced 2 thru-hulls/seacocks on this boat. The first one I feel like I could have done in the water if I needed too. The second one was a major pain and I think if I would have tried to do it in the water we would have sunk to the bottom. I am not experienced/brave enough to attempt drilling in a new thru-hull while in the water. I prefer to err on the side of caution when it comes to sinking.
Luckily I have not had to make that choice the boat is currently in Utah on a 45' trailer, patiently waiting for are departure in September.

Originally Posted by capn_billl

I second not installing too far aft.

you shouldn't run it if it is too rough, enough to risk air intake from surfing down waves, or extreme heeling.

You have a water tank that holds a couple days supply in case your watermaker breaks, or it's too rough to run, right?

We have a 45 gallon tank on board, and plan on running the water maker every couple of days. We wish it was larger, but this is what we have. We will also store some water in jerry cans when away from land.

From what I have gathered the intake needs to be as low as possibile, and near the center of the boat to prevent air from entering the system. My paddlewheel location is as low as it can go and about in the middle of the keel. All discharges are aft of there, except the sink drain in the head.
It seem like the best spot to put it.

So do I get rid of the paddle wheel transducer and buy a larger thru-hull/seacock for the water maker?

I really cant see the need to keep it, I don't recall ever relying on or really using it, I would glance at it every now and then, but we always use the GPS on the chart plotter or tablet.

Will I miss it? Does anyone rely on them anymore?

[capn_billl]

I personally like them. There are transducers that don't use the paddlewheel, but i boat in an area with current, and really like to keep track of them. GPS gives speed over ground, but not current unless you have really tracked your rpm vs water speed.

I'm going to use an intake from a head i converted from salt to fresh.

I remember you have an unused through hull also.

Mine is on opposite side of keel from discharge so no worries there.

I would start with this, that gives you time to plan before drilling holes.

[Jack C]

Originally Posted by c.K.

Any one interested in how to install a thru hull below the waterline without taking the boat out of the water, it is not too difficult done it a few times

Would love a detailed explanation

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by sjrider

I thought about using the abandon head intake thru hull. It would be very easy and I would not be adding another hole in the boat. It is also a shared sink drain. Unfortunately it is not that low in the water, and on a port tack it can come out of the water.

If I place it inline with the paddlewheel it is the same water depth as the diesel intake, and tucked way under next to the keel.

If it comes out of the water while sailing I will have other problems to worry about. I hope that bilge pump works

I actually bought this water maker from you (Tellie), you shipped it to UTAH about six months ago. It finally warmed up enough out here that I can finish the install. Although I woke up to snow on the ground yesterday

Now where did I leave that hole saw?

Thank you for being a customer of ours. I do so many, I'm getting old and have always suffered from CRS, which Spectra model did you get?

[sjrider]

I own a small business and much prefer to deal with other small business owners then a large company. I have read that you and Rich from Cruise RO both offer great customer service. I will be counting on that if this breaks down in some remote place in the south pacific.

We were either going with the spectra from you, or the Cruise RO. We went back and forth for a while, but once we decided to go 12v and run it off solar the choice was easy.

Time will tell if we made the right decision

We ordered the ventura 150. We wanted a larger one, unfortunately we are very limited on space. This one barely fit in the space we had.

[Peter Hunt]

Originally Posted by joelhemington

I think I'd lose the transducer and use that hole (possibly modified) for the water maker - less through hull holes is usually better and like you say, nobody really uses a paddle wheel transducer anymore as they're usually clogged with some sort of growth when you do try and use them.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I see a few people saying they don't use their water speed, and I am very curious how you see your true wind without it? Or your current?