Watermaker - Are you Planning to Have One?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Tellie

Everyone knows who I am and what I do. I don't knock any competitors product and I am quite comfortable with any decision you make. But you should seriously contact CF member Captain Bill and have a beer together.

I figure this is basically a passivate poke at DIY Watermakers because I posted a link and is really your way knocking them regardless of your claim above.

I read the Captain Bill thread on DIY that had like 4 posts and really ended up being that their phone system was down (Captain Bill on that thread says he has a Katadyn unit). I have also come across boat blogs with the DIY Watermaker systems installed and they all seem happy with their systems.

So since I have no personal direct experience with them but you appear to have some issue, post it and don't play patty cake.

[Tim_H]

[Terra Nova]

Tim--sure! Easy for you when you have only 2 seasons...hot rain and cold rain.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Tim_H

Yes, everyone should have a rain catchment system of some type. It should be everyone's first priority when thinking about water. Without a doubt, this is the best way to get high volumes of the purest water in a short time.

When it rains.

In the Bahamas and Caribbean, it can go months without any rain at all. I imagine many parts of Pacific and Baha Mexico are also like this.

Our large hardtop is guttered for rain catchment, and when it rains hard I have measured the rate of water going into the tank at 100gph. It could deliver even more if I increased the thruhull size and hose in the catchment system, because it overflows the gutters due to slow draining during these times.

Doesn't do us a bit of good for 3-4 consecutive months during the year, though!

Mark

[Tim_H]

thats a solar still not a catchment system.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by Tim_H

thats a solar still not a catchment system.

Look a bit closer. I believe it is nicely set up for a filtered catchment system. Could be a solar still though.

[Tim_H]

Amazon.com: SEA Panel RD4.2 Marine the 100% Made in America Solar Still: Sports & Outdoors

The Water Honcho Solar Powered Desalination and Water filtering system. Portable solar desalination, drinking water filter and water purifier. FRESH water from any water source with our solar power water treatment system.

[Terra Nova]

"Produces up to 4 to 6 liters per sunny day". That is barely enough for 1 crewmember's drinking water!

[44'cruisingcat]

We consider our watermaker to be an essential. But we usually don't visit marinas often, we've gone over 12 months between visits at times.

They give you so much freedom. You can easily carry enough food and fuel to last for long periods, carrying enough water is much more difficult.

[IslandHopper]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

"Produces up to 4 to 6 liters per sunny day". That is barely enough for 1 crewmember's drinking water!

I think Tim_H was pointing out what it is, not what it is capable of....

On Topic: We have a Spectra 150 and are very happy with it.........

[janice142]

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be able to afford a watermaker. It's out of my budget range, and will be for quite some time (I prioritized a new-to-me diesel and that will take two or three years to pay off) but gosh, hauling water is HORRIBLE. I hate it. It's physically demanding, makes me ache for at least two days and is totally draining.

My tank is just 50 gallons (a lot for a 23' boat) but if there was any way I could afford a watermaker I would have one. I do have the thru-hull already installed and a place to mount the unit. Alas, not the funds to pay for one.

And yes, I know that I could afford many trips to marinas for "free" fill-ups. However, I prefer those places where marinas aren't. A watermaker would make my life easier. For years I've dreamed of the Spectra with Z-brane. Maybe someday there will be a used unit for sale that my credit card can swing.

A girl can dream, eh? And a watermaker is definitely a happiness quotient enhancer for many. I wish I had one.

[Tellie]

Originally Posted by Tim_H

Amazon.com: SEA Panel RD4.2 Marine the 100% Made in America Solar Still: Sports & Outdoors

The Water Honcho Solar Powered Desalination and Water filtering system. Portable solar desalination, drinking water filter and water purifier. FRESH water from any water source with our solar power water treatment system.

Right you are.

[CapRon]

I do not want one. I do not need one. I will get one. They are maintenance intensive but I can do maintenance. It keeps the commodore happy and reduces my work load.

[Tellie]

No one needs one.....but then again, no one needs a boat. You just got to figure out what you want that makes you happy.

[Cuttyhunk]

Key Largo to Puerto Rico, 9 months, caught rain with a homemade catchment system. It was 1992 when we got to Boqueron, and Powersurvivor had just started selling a motorized version of the 35 (later called PUR, now Katahdin). Bought it, installed it, loved that thing. Took us all the way to. Grenada, happily. It was the first small cruising boat water maker I heard of. Our unit broke down frequently. They made the motor housing out of plastic and it cracked (next version, more metal, less plastic). Still loved it. Filled four Gatorade gallon jugs, put them in the fridge, then filled the big tank. Always had delicious fresh water to drink. We had a Windbugger wind vane and made water whenever the wind blew. Used the rain catcher, too, whenever we could.

When we are closer to heading out, I will get a Spectra for this boat. A friend from trade school works for a Spectra dealer now and he will do the installation. Tellie is not the only one who thinks Spectra is great; my friend does, too. Sounds like it will be a lot easier to maintain than that 1992 Powersurvivor.

I will also have a catchment system, planning it now. I'm happy to use rainwater when I can get it.