Choosing the best water maker system for a yacht is crucial for ensuring a steady supply of potable water, especially for chartered boats that spend extended periods at sea. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of selecting a water maker based on your yacht’s specific needs, how to audit water usage, and provide an overview of three key systems to help you make an informed decision.
How to Pick a Water Maker for Your Yacht
Auditing Water Usage: How to Choose the Right Capacity
Before you can choose a system, it is important to audit your yacht’s water usage. To do this involves a detailed analysis of daily and weekly consumption to ensure an adequate supply and efficient use. Start by estimating the number of guests and crew on board, as each person typically uses between 100-150 liters of water per day for activities such as drinking, cleaning, and showering. Next, account for additional water usage for cleaning the boat, doing laundry, and other activities, if you have a pool or spa onboard etc.
It’s also important to consider how often the yacht docks at marinas where water supplies can be replenished and the confidence in the quality from those sources. For yachts that spend extended periods at sea or anchored out, especially chartered boats on multi week-long trips, having a reliable onboard water maker system becomes crucial. By understanding these factors and calculating total water needs, yacht owners can ensure they choose a water maker system that meets their specific requirements and supports a comfortable, efficient onboard experience.
Selecting the right capacity for your water maker involves assessing your audit results and understanding the specific needs of your yacht. Here are some steps to help you make the right choice:
- Calculate Daily Water Usage: Multiply the number of guests by the average daily water usage per person. For example, a yacht with 10 guests (+ crew) might use approximately 5,000 liters of water per day.
- Consider Peak Usage: Factor in additional water needed for activities like cleaning, recreational, laundry, and cooking. Add a buffer to your calculations to ensure you have enough water during peak usage times.
- Evaluate Space and Power Constraints: Larger water makers require more space and power. Ensure your yacht can accommodate the system you choose without compromising other essential functions, where possible ensure you have a minimum of two systems for any unforeseen problems that may occur.
Think Long-Term: Choose systems that not only meets your current needs but also accommodate future growth, ensure the company that you are purchasing from can provide the back-up and consumables when required. Investing in multiple, slightly larger systems can provide flexibility for unexpected increases in water usage.
Overview of our Water Maker Systems
To help you choose the right system based on your yacht’s requirements, we will overview three types of water maker systems that are provided by Octo Marine, each suited to different usage levels.
1. Small Capacity Water Makers
Ideal for smaller yachts or those with fewer guests, small capacity water makers are designed to produce up to 200 liters per hour. These systems are compact, easy to install, and perfect for yachts that don’t require huge volumes of water.
Best for:
- Yachts with fewer than 6 guests.
- Occasional use yachts that dock frequently.
- Boats with limited space for additional equipment.
Featuring MC3J Yacht Watermaker
The MC3J Yacht Watermaker is a versatile unit designed to meet the requirements of small to medium-sized yachts and vessels.
Key Features:
- Output Rates: 90 to 240 liters per hour.
- Compact and Lightweight
- Easy Installation and Operation
- Integrated Monitoring System
- Full service and support from Octo Marine and its agents.
2. Medium Capacity Water Makers
These systems can produce between 250 to 700 liters per hour, making them suitable for larger yachts with moderate water consumption. They offer a good balance between capacity and size, ensuring that guests have ample water without taking up too much space on board.
Best for:
- Yachts with 6-12 guests.
- Chartered yachts on week-long trips.
- Boats that require a balance between capacity and footprint.
Featuring MC5 – MC15DX
The MC5 – MC9 Watermakers are designed to produce 6 to 9 tons of water per day however with a slightly larger footprint these are also available as MC5 – MC9 Duplex Watermakers (12-30 tons of water per day), making it perfect for medium yachts, ensuring the added confidence of two watermakers for either increased production or added security.
Key Features:
- Output Rates: 250 to 1250 liters per hour
- Compact and Modular Design
- Advanced Pre-Filtration System
- User-Friendly Control Interface
- Full service and support from Octo Marine and its agents.
3. Large Capacity Water Makers
For large yachts or those with high water demands, large capacity water makers can produce over 3,300 liters per hour. These systems are essential for ensuring a continuous supply of water, even under heavy usage conditions.
Best for:
- Busy large or high water usage charter yachts.
- Yachts that spend extended periods at sea without docking.
Featuring MC20 – MC40DX
The MC20 – MC40DX (Duplex) Watermakers, composed of either single or reduced footprint duplex reverse osmosis plants within a single frame, offers the flexibility of simultaneous or independent operation, with a capacity of up to 3,300 liters per hour.
Key Features:
- Output rates: 19,500 – 40,000 liters per day for single units and 39,000 to 80,000 liters per day for duplex units.
- Single or Dual Operation Mode
- Integrated Components
- Full service and support from Octo Marine and its agents.
Choose The Right System
It is essential to have a reliable and adequate water supply, particularly for yachts with busy schedules. By auditing your water usage, understanding the needs of your yacht, and choosing the appropriate system capacity, you can enjoy worry-free voyages with a consistent supply of high-quality water.
Please Note: Permeate flow based on the following test conditions: 32,000 ppm NaCl, 25°C sea water temperature, permeate flows for individual elements may vary +/-20%.
If you need more assistance in selecting the right water maker system for your yacht, get in touch with us today for a consultation. Explore our range of water maker systems, visit Octo Marine.
