[PUP] watermaker recommendations

[Peter Pisciotta]

> My manual says the watermaker can only make
> water from Clean, Open Ocean seawater.  

Oil and chlorine will destroy the membrane over time,
grit and sand will clog it. As Dave Cooper said, a
pre-filter is invaluable. I have not seen a modern
watermaker installation without a pre-filter, so you
likely have one. Chances are, you'll know when it's
okay to run your watermaker just by looking out your
windows and surveying the environment.

> I can see that the time you make water and the
> quantity are critical in sizing.  

I couldn't agree more! Rather than look at the
gallons-per-day rating, I'd say get the largest unit
(within reason) you can afford and will fit, then
budget your consumption to equal 2-4 hours per day of
running. Except for short run times, even the
low-power 12V units (160 gpd) will need a generator to
back it up. And most cruisers are underway under 5% of
the time, so 2-4 hours of watermaking a day will allow
long runs to catch-up. (e.g. 160gpd = 7 gph, so budget
25-30 gallons/day; 600 gpd = 25 gph, budget 100-200
gallons/day).  

> Is there any such thing as a set it and forget
> it watermaker?
  
The modern watermakers are pretty well set/forget.
When you want to make water, you turn-on a switch at a
control panel. There's not much reason to go below and
fiddle with the valves, though it should be part of
your normal engine room check while running. And if
you move from warm water to cool water, the
hi-pressure valve may need some adjusting.
 
> Finally, would you try to make the PUR160 work,
> or would you vote in favor of upgrading to a 
> Village Marine with enoughcapacity to make 15 or 20
> gallons per hour?  

Personally, I'd make the one you have work. I don't
know the PUR so can't comment on it's durability, but
all watermakers seem fairly high maintenance
(especially those that aren't used daily). But if you
do replace (and are okay with the expense), go for at
least 300 gpd ---- if you have the space. 

Overall, it appears watermakers benefit from heavy
use. I met one guy in the Caribbean who had been
cruising 20-years with the same watermaker, using it
almost exclusively for water due to the high cost of
marinas and water. His watermaker was rusty, and
occasionally cantankerous, but ran like a top. Like so
many other things on a boat, lay-up causes
deterioration.

Peter
Willard 36 (with watermaker)
San Francsico