Watermakers...

[brokethebox]

Good evening all,

We're wishing to install a watermaker but have no idea where to start...

Any guides on what i should start looking for, amounts i'd wish to be able to produce for number of people on board versus diesel usage etc?

And then leading on, any thoughts on second hand units?

Many thanks

James

 

[Cardo]

I'm sure plenty of people will turn up with advice.

Having just ordered a new watermaker at SIBS, all I can say is... Good luck trying to find a decent second hand model! People seem to keep hold of them like they're gold dust!

 

[brokethebox]

thanks Cardo. Can i ask what you went for, and how you made your decision?

J

 

[KenMcCulloch]

The thing with watermakers is that you need to use them frequently, like every few days. If you are not going to use your watermaker for more than a week or so you need to go through a rather tedious laying up procedure. Unless you are going to be living aboard for weeks at a time there's not much point.

 

[brokethebox]

Hi Ken, thanks for taking the time to reply.

We're off the length of the Atlantic and back again so going to be using it fairly intensively for about 10 months!

James

 

[Cardo]

thanks Cardo. Can i ask what you went for, and how you made your decision?

J

We went with a Baitek watermaker that apparently produces 25l at 8a per hour. They're very similar to the common Spectra model but is cheaper and the parts are cheaper. We've ordered it from Sailfish Marine. We had a chat with the chap at the show and he seems to know his stuff and he provided what I felt was a good deal.

To the other chap who posted, we will be living aboard, which is the reason we bought the bad boy. However, as a boat show deal we also got an autoflush device that should maintain the watermaker for a week or two without using it if required. However, any longer than that and it will need to be pickled.

 

[nigelmercier]

Good luck trying to find a decent second hand model! People seem to keep hold of them like they're gold dust!

I've got one that I'm taking out to free up the space. It has been left with all the right chemicals in it, but not used for a while. It's 24V though.

 

[brokethebox]

Ken, i see you have Cherry Ripe! I love that boat!

J

 

[V1701]

There's been a couple of other threads recently if you do a search. If I remember, a few people said don't get Spectra as they will only accept own brand spares, which are silly prices. Katadyn & Baitek seem OK, another suggestion was design/build your own (with pro help), if that helps at all...

 

[brokethebox]

thanks dj that's a good tip on the Spectra ones, i'll keep that in mind.

 

[nimbusgb]

bit of fred drift ....

Anyone with an engine driven watermaker considered having an attachment fitted to allow a high pressure lance ( Karcher type ) to be used off the pump? It would be handy for washing decks and even bottom scrubbing while afloat.