Watermaker

[nowell]

Hello family. Just wanted to point out that there are some good deals going on the pur survivor 35 on ebay right now. Most were packaged for the military and since have been "end of lifed". It might cost you for a new membrane, but all told you can get one for under 700. Alot better than the 2k they go for new! With a buy now of 225, its definitely worth a consideration!

Im definitely ordering one. It goes with my KISS program.

Here is a link if you want:

http://www.landfallnavigation.com/-sas35.html

and the Ebay ones:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-Katadyn-Pur-Watermaker-Survivor-35-Desalinator_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem439a4c6e08QQitemZ290351509000QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

[s/v Faith]

You don't just 'buy' a watermaker, you marry them.

 Yea, it seems like it would be great, making water from the stuff you sail over....

Might even save your life some day.  

 The problem is that once you have it you have to either use it or loose it.  It requires an investment of time and energy... as well as liquid time ($).

 The membrane is expensive, and must be pickled and not used or used regularly.  The creation of fresh from salt takes lots of pressure, and those parts are not cheap.  

 The more complicated your gear, the more often it will fail.  That and the more expensive to maintain.

 Many folks get them, and then find that water is not all that hard to come by.  Even if you pay $1 a gallon and haaul it in jugs it is less effort then trying to find an airfrieght terminal and waiting for customs when you suck in a hint of contaminate and your membrane is no longer functional.

 Collection of rain water, is free and KISS.  Where ever you go, the people there drink water.  It is available.

Going where there are no people?  look at adding tankage, or alternative routes.  

 I say this not as a neigh-sayer, but as one who entered into the water maker covenant.  Thankfully I did not commit to the new membrane and 'go all the way' so the annulment was relatively painless.  I lost only the money I put up front.

 Just food for thought...

For a 7 course meal on the subject click here =>What to do about Water? tankage, requirements, watermakers.... etc.

[nowell]

Faith, I have no doubt about what your saying. For me, a watermaker is a must. No room for compromise on this. Have gone back and forth for over a year. For me, this is my perfect solution (minus the mounting bracket ill make for it).

After living in Arizona for many years (add my time in the great sandbox of the mid east), I tend to drink more water than most. Its a habit. I'm well versed on both rain water collection and solar stills (which I have successfully done on the boat). In my opinion, hand pumping is lazy for me. As I get older, I want luxuries, but cannot justify a powered water maker.

Donno, just figured, in case there were like minded souls, or even someone that wanted it for their ditch bag, its hard to pass up that deal.

[s/v Faith]

Nowell,

  I will dance at your wedding then.   ;D

It certainly is a good deal compared to buying new.  I hope it works out well for you.   :)

[LooseMoose]

One of the problems with the old Survivors 35's is that parts are no longer being made for them ... At least that is what a dealer of theirs told me recently.

Watermakers are quite easy to build and they are quite easy to run as long as you take car of them which is not much in the way of work or rocket science.

One of the current project on "So It Goes" is a watermaker project with the goal of a fully functioning watermaker for less than $600...For those interested you will be able to find out more on the blog in the not too distant future.

Bob

http://boatbits.blogspot.com/
http://fishingundersail.blogspot.com/
http://islandgourmand.blogspot.com/