This past weekend we began the slow installation of our Spectra Ventura 150 watermaker. It is a thing of wonder, able to convert salt water to fresh water, using the solar energy generated by our solar panels. Since it will be just the two of us onboard, we don’t need a big watermaker, and the 150 can generate up to 150 gallons in a day (!) which is more than we can fit on our boat. So we will run it to top up our tanks, and enjoy fresh water to do dishes and laundry – yes laundry – see our prior post about the amazing Mini washing machine we installed.
There is a lot of planning that needs to go into the installation of a watermaker, and first for us was where on our small boat to fit it? Fortunately, it fit really nicely into the back of our bathroom, above the hot water tank. One set of filters and pump are below the countertop, easily accessible when we need to change filters; and another filter and the accumulator will go on the wall to the left in the picture. We have easy access to drain off the brine into the existing bathroom drains; and we even have access to a dedicated saltwater inlet near the galley (not the one used for the toilet).
Since we aren’t cruising yet (one month to go!) we haven’t finished the installation, although we do plan to get everything in place before we head out; just to be sure we have all the bits we need and be able to source any spares / tools while we still have a car. But it felt great to get the main unit up and bolted in.