Watermaker experience

R

rlamb

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May 21, 2013
66
Hunter 46 Alameda
Am planning on installing a watermaker on my 466 before I take it to Mexico next year. I have analyzed all the options and think I am leaning towards the cruise R O water unit as it can run on a portable generator or even the inverter (uses 9.6 amps). i am also installing 750 watts of solar. This unit provides the highest output vs the cost.

I wondered if anyone had installed a unit from them and your experience? Any other watermaker feedback is welcomed.

Thx,
Roger
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,186
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Well, I think if you had a generator, it would be a better fit. I would be concerned about the inverter loss vs. a DC unit if you are expecting to run off solar/wind power. however, someone with direct experience would be a better adviser.
 
R

rlamb

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May 21, 2013
66
Hunter 46 Alameda
Rick,
Yes I considerd that. My feeling was that I could use the inverter or more likely the portable generator as plan to have the generator as a backup unit anyway. The advantage is that you get alot more water making capacity for the $$$. Curious on anyone's expereince with the unit however.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,060
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
My buddies on Flyin Sidways have installed a CruiseRO system on their Columbia. Totally solar.

Their only gripe I'm aware of is the necessity to use it often, or pickle it.

P.S.- The owner of CruiseRO is said to be very supportive.
 
P

patrick17440

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Jun 7, 2007
28
- - Newport Beach CA
460 watermaker

justsomeguy said:
My buddies on Flyin Sidways have installed a CruiseRO system on their Columbia. Totally solar.

Their only gripe I'm aware of is the necessity to use it often, or pickle it.

P.S.- The owner of CruiseRO is said to be very supportive.
Click to expand
I installed a 20 gal/hr HRO/Searecovery DC unit with fresh water flush
in preparation for a Mexico cruise in 2006. Regardless of which unit you
buy, the unit should have a fresh water flush. The unit will automatically
flush itself after each use and once a week when not in use. All you have to
do is periodically change the filters, no pickling required. I went with a DC
Unit because when motoring, I make water. If you are planning on a portable
Generator, like the Honda 2kw, it will charge your battery bank thru your
Inverter/Charger at 130 amps if you have the standard 2500 Freedom Inverter
on your 466. At anchor, more than enough power to run a DC unit thru your
battery bank or an AC unit thru the inverter. My water maker draws about
18 amps/hr DC which is easily for my 80 amp alternator to handle while motoring.
 
R

rlamb

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May 21, 2013
66
Hunter 46 Alameda
Re: 460 watermaker

Thanks for the info. I will review the fresh water flush part.
 
heritage

heritage

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Apr 22, 2011
939
Hunter 27 Pecan Grove, Oriental, NC
We had a watermaker back in the 90's while cruising the Caribbean, so I can't comment on hardware available in todays market. But one thing hasn't changed and that is how and when you make water. We rarely ran the watermaker in popular anchorages. Too much yuck in the water from local towns and neighboring boats and the machine's noise was irritating. We mostly ran it while sailing between anchorages and especially while needing to motor. My wish then was to have a higher output unit that would fill the tanks while in clean seawater.
 
F

Flyin Sideways

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Jun 3, 2014
3
Columbia 43 MKlll Chiapas, Mexico
Hi Roger, we really like our Cruise RO watermaker. The flush has to be done every 3-5 days, if you don't make any water in that time. It's very easy and only takes about 10 minutes. Rich is great and answered the phone every time we had a question, even in the evening. We run it off of our honda eu 2000i generator. Highly recommend it.

Karin
Flyin Sideways currently in Marina Chiapas Mexico
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,060
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
So I was wrong about the "totally solar" part.

Welcome!
 
R

rlamb

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May 21, 2013
66
Hunter 46 Alameda
Karin,
Thanks for the feedback. What size did you get and do you wish you had a different size?
Rgds,
Roger
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
There is also the possibility of running the WM pump off of the engine with a belt and electric clutch (like a car AC setup). So when you are heating water for the evening show and charging the batteries you can also be making water.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Sizing is important, a friend wrote this, trip to Mexico:

The watermaker was a great investment. I've seen the other side - people buying their water in 5 gallon jugs and trying to sneak in a little shampoo as they steal a beachside shower from a resort. It doesn't look like fun. We love the watermaker.
Capacity is important. The cheaper low volume Katadyne units have to run forever to make enough water. Something in the 150 gpd range is much better. We have a Spectra unit.
 
R

rlamb

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May 21, 2013
66
Hunter 46 Alameda
I agree. I asm debating on the 20 gph versus an extra $1k for the 30 gph units.
 
F

Flyin Sideways

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Jun 3, 2014
3
Columbia 43 MKlll Chiapas, Mexico
We just have the 20, we only have a 50 gallon water tank on the boat. We spent the first year on the boat without a watermaker in the Sea of Cortez so we are good about conserving water. It works for our lifestyle, but if you do like to use alot of water the 30 or even the 45 would be better.
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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Feb 20, 2011
8,060
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Sumo wrestling? Replete with diapers? :laugh:

Seriously, I may have to check that out...
 
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