Used Water Maker

[Ducati]

My neighbor is selling his water maker for around $2500.

I don't know what brand it is however am considering buying one. He told me that it eliminates the need for hauling water for long trips as it cranks out all the drinkable H20 a crew will need (per day) in 3 hours. (1.5 liters per person/day)

I may still haul water (or some) just in case the unit dies halfway through on a trip.

Any information about which brands and how they work would be appreciated.

 

[KD3PC]

spares and replacement parts can be expensive, if even available especially for older gear..most work by pushing seawater through a ring of filters and a reverse osmosis membrane...most are energy hungry...and all require substantial maintenance..

YMMV, and it may not be a bargain compared to a new one...

 

[Snotter]

My neighbor's water maker consumes 8 amps when turned on. According to Calder, watermakers are a huge maintenance item.

 

[Tim R.]

I have a Village Marine Little Wonder WM. It works great and produces about 12 gal/hr. It does eat up amps but we run it while running the engine and heating water so we have enough water(hot and cold) for the two of us for a day.

We also have 180gal water tank capacity so we get the best of both worlds. No jerry jugs on my deck.

 

[seadaddler]

TIM

How much maintance is involved owning a water maker and cost to maintane it if not using it all the time except for those long trips away from fresh water.
Nick

 

[Tim R.]

Nick, it came with my latest boat that I purchased at the end of August. This is my first experience using a WM so not much knowledge here yet. I have been using the WM at least once a week since then, needed or not. When not needed I just run the output through my head sink where it goes back into the ocean. If you are away from your boat for extended periods you should back flush before leaving the boat. You will also have to do a back flush when returning to get all the critters out that grew while not in use.

I am living aboard and have ready access to dockwater(even in the winter) so I thought about pickling it for winter but the manufacturer said to use it instead. He said better to use it than to store it.

I am sure there will be a day this winter when we run out of water in the boat and it is sleeting and windy out and I will just fire up the WM rather than deal with the submerged hoses.

Cost will also be difficult to determine as the boat came with many spares. Enough filters and pumpt to go to Fiji and back as that was the previous owner's plans.

 

[seadaddler]

Thanks Tim

Just thinking about getting a WM, so for now I 'll just use extra jugs unless I see agood deal.

 

[jibes138]

Tim,
Why not winter in the South instead? You seem like a very practical person yet plan to punish your poor wife with freezing and being cooped up in the boat all winter? St. Johns has a beautiful mooring field off a beach in the national park section where you can stay for a month or so. Temperature in the winter is about 80 degrees every day and the water is about 80 degrees every day.

 

[Tim R.]

I was going to make my own because the parts are all commonly available and I would know how to fix it when it gives me problems. Unfortunately I bought a boat that already had one. If it dies beyond repair I will go the DIY route.

 

[eldercaddy]

My neighbor is selling his water maker used engine for around $2500.

I don't know what brand it is however am considering buying one. He told me that it eliminates the need for hauling water for long trips as it cranks out all the drinkable H20 a crew will need (per day) in 3 hours. (1.5 liters per person/day)

I may still haul water (or some) just in case the unit dies halfway through on a trip.

Any information about which brands and how they work would be appreciated.

I have heard that before but I don't know when. And I forgot the looks of it. Kindly post just 1 photo? If I will recognize, I will give you an information.

 

[RichH]

If you are traveling to remote areas that have poor or little water availability, then a water maker can be an advantage. If your sailing area has adequate and safe water, then the use of a watermaker can be needlessly expensive.

You 'should' only be using a watermaker in biologically relatively clean water as watermakers are not 'absolute' in the retention of bacteria, viruses, etc. Shutting down a watemaker for long periods involves using a lot of 'preservative - bacteriostat' chemicals. The RO membranes are typically 'polyamide' / nylon and only last 2-3 years max. before changeout @ ~$200 per 2.5"Ø X 40" Length. Using the WM in high turbidity water will quickly foul the membranes ... so add $$$ for the regeneration chemicals/filters, etc. or plan on frequent change out of the membranes.

In areas where there is a charge per gallon for water (varies from $0.10 to $0.50 / gallon) ..... $2000 divided by 0,10 to .50 = 20,000 - 4,000 gallons would be your 'break even' cost.

So, unless you are traveling to such remote areas or are planning open ocean passages a watermaker is usually a bad economic deal.

Using a WM in areas that have adequate water ... an expensive PITA.