PUR has been bought by
Katadyn.
Repair parts were already expensive, but have gotten worse with the new
ownership. I have used PUR 80-II units on two different boats. The first lasted fine the two years I used the
boat. The second has been installed for 14 years, and has needed new membranes twice (the first was due to an omission in the manual, which has been corrected). The membranes are proprietary and relatively expensive ($750 before
Katadyn took over), but what got me was when the
gearbox on the drive unit needed a new bearing. Katadyn wouldn't sell me a replacment ('those drives are not supposed to come apart"), and wanted 2000 euro ($2500) for a new
motor and
gearbox. After a lot of searching on the
internet, I found what I needed--it was a 'cam follower bearing' for $20. Katadyn also
sold me a new SS shaft for the
pump for $200.
The
leaks have been centered around where the hoses attach to the
pump housing, and limited to seepage. I have rebuilt the pump once, but it probably didn't need it. I bought the cruising repair kit when the unit was new, and by the time I needed to
rebuild the pump 10 years later, the
seals in the kit had gotten hard.
I really haven't found anyone who is in love with their
watermaker, but doubt I would buy a new PUR/Katadyn.