[PUP] watermaker recommendations

[Scott Bulger]

I'm glad this topic came up.  One thing I've neglected to get a handle on is
my watermaker.  The PO put a Katadyne PUR160 on the boat.  We have yet to
settle into a charging cycle or to fully understand our water needs.
Someone a few months ago advised there were two things to NEVER discuss with
the wife.  One was water useage and the other escapes me?  Now don't get me
wrong, my wife thinks she uses water conservatively, but I suspect her idea
of conserving is very different that Patrick G.'s.  We routinely run through
260 gallons of water in 4 days.  This is without being conservative at all.
We take showers, wash dishes without soaking in saltwater first, we usually
take on water at a marina.  So, in the back of my mind I've always thought I
be replaceing the watermaker with one of the newfangled units that flushes
itself every 3 days and is smarter than I am.  Dave's caution about going
overboard on it are valuable, but there does seem to be some advantage in
selecting an intelligent unit.  So here are some additional questions
someone may be able to help me with:

a.  My manual says the watermaker can only make water from Clean, Open Ocean
seawater.  It cautions against making water anywhere near land.  If your on
the hook for a week, how to you make water?  Do you use it as an excuse to
go to sea and fish for a few hours?

b.  In this scenario, do you size the watermaker 2 or 3 times larger than
you would if you planed to be voyaging every other day for 10 hours or so?
I can see that the time you make water and the quantity are critical in
sizing.  Is there a good compromise?  

c.  Is there any such thing as a set it and forget it watermaker?  Mine is
in the lazarette and it's a PITA to get to.  The thought I have to crawl
back there and flip valves open and closed is enough to make me sea sick.
Also, the amount of space dedicated to hoses and plumbing takes a lot of
storage away.  But, on the other hand at least I can see everything!

d.  Finally, would you try to make the PUR160 work, or would you vote in
favor of upgrading to a Village Marine with enough capacity to make 15 or 20
gallons per hour?  

Thanks much, 

Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40, Seattle WA
3 mi offshore San Francisco on the way to Half Moon Bay