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BrettB · 14-01-2017, 11:23

Looking at either the Spectra Catalina 340 or the Spectra Cape Horn Extreme 330 for our Lagoon 380 that we are taking cruising for the next few years. Both seem pretty expensive... Are they worth it? Is it worth paying the extra for the Catalina?

We plan to use a good amount of water, we like our showers, will be fresh water rinsing our dive gear and the boat.

Thanks for the feedback!

MikeFergie · 15-01-2017, 23:24

Depends on how many people are on board.
I have a Cape Horn extreme and 800l water tanks in my Leopard 40.
During December we did an offshore passage 500 nm and on day 3 with 6 of us on board I had to get the water maker running as the water was running low. I pumped water an average of 6 hours a day to keep up with our demand. Did this for the next 16 days.

We were diving snorkeling etc

So with 2 large fridges running and one freezer and the water maker if I never had 700w of solar my motors would have been running to keep the batteries running.

Rgards
MikeF

Catalysis · 09-04-2017, 01:00

We're installing twin 24v Spectra 340z units powered by 2kw of solar. Plan to use 2-3 hrs per day.

Kenomac · 09-04-2017, 03:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catalysis

We're installing twin 24v Spectra 340z units powered by 2kw of solar. Plan to use 2-3 hrs per day.

We have two of the earlier manual version Spectra 380c units that produce 17 gallons per hour each. The system works great.

Catalysis · 09-04-2017, 04:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We have two of the earlier manual version Spectra 380c units that produce 17 gallons per hour each. The system works great.

Good to hear that they've been reliable.

**Tellie** · 09-04-2017, 04:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrettB

Looking at either the Spectra Catalina 340 or the Spectra Cape Horn Extreme 330 for our Lagoon 380 that we are taking cruising for the next few years. Both seem pretty expensive... Are they worth it? Is it worth paying the extra for the Catalina?

We plan to use a good amount of water, we like our showers, will be fresh water rinsing our dive gear and the boat.

Thanks for the feedback!

"A good amount of water" is a relative statement depending on who you ask. Choosing a watermaker to fit your wants and your boats capabilities, especially in the 38' range, takes a bit of time and asking the right questions. If you've got your sights on a Spectra feel free to call me anytime and I can help you ask the right questions before you make any decision. That being said there are a lot of differences between the Catalina340 and the Cape Horn Extreme. Basically they both produce the same amount of fresh water. The CHE is a manual only system and the Catalina340 is a fully automated system only. I'm partial to the CHE and chose them for my boats. They are the most energy efficient watermakers in the world. They are also the only watermaker produced that have the dual redundancy of two feed pumps instead of one. So if one pump fails the other will still make water. It is also the easiest watermaker built to service and work on yourself, you can hold in one hand all the tools it will take to completely re-build a CHE. To replace a pump head there are three screws, two wires, and two 5/8" hose barb connections. You can do this job in fifteen minutes. No manifold rebuild kits and the cost and skill set that comes with that job. I sell, work on, and help owners service their own Spectra watermakers. Most of the time a simple phone call is all it takes. Again, feel free to ask me any questions you might have.

HaldenMarineService@yahoo.com
(954) 515-7077
J.T. Halden