How to make water on a sailboat (and how to build your own watermaker) // Ryan’s tech corner #3

[@RyanSophieSailing]

It's been two and a half years since we installed our SeaWater Pro watermaker, and it has been performing flawlessly. it has afforded us some well-needed and appreciated self-sufficiency throughout the Mediterannean (where marinas are super expensive), through ocean crossings (yeay for showers) and through covid lockdowns (where we had zero possibility to get water otherwise). We added a control panel in our galley which has been incredibly practical and have upgraded the membrane to the latest SeaWater Pro one. We've been buying filters and parts in hardware stores all over the World (way easier than having to order proprietary parts) and we produce 19-20 gallons (70-75 liters) of fresh water per hour. If you consider ordering a SeaWater Pro watermaker, we have just gotten an affiliate link, that allows us to receive a small commission on every purchase at no cost to you. We would be incredibly grateful if you considered using it! Thank you :) seawaterpro.com?sca_ref=1318773.3ThbpgMEbt

[@andrepallotta8633]

Hello very good video i have several question, do they ship abroad ? how many hours a day do you run the watermaker ? Do you have heating issue with the pump ? I dont see in their offer a feeding pump ? Did you install by yourself ? Thanks.

[@marcderveeuw]

Hi. We definitely miss Ryan's technical projects and we hardly saw him during the introspective, drama driven and tiramisu spirit lifting recent transat. More of this please. Cheers

[@ediego32]

I’ll use it as soon as I get to it thank you guys and good luck !

[@r.williamcomm7693]

You explained that so well. I know nothing about living on a boat but I’ve found that in non live aboard boating that ppl place too much emphasis on saving space with things like electronics, wiring & engines. Sounds great for those who don’t do their own maintenance or repairs. Your system looks perfect because you can access the parts without hanging upside down after being lowered from a rope. Thank you very much for your insight.

[@geodeaholicm4889]

Excellent vid, very clearly explained, i'm in the desert & got no boat, but enjoyed the info.

[@chaunceygardener5098]

Thanks! Very well done! I'm 72 and living alone on my 1981 42' Formosa twin diesel trawler in the Florida Keys... Am trying to move the boat to Guatemala to retire and restore the boat.. My 70 gallon freshwater tank has me looking at watermakers...thanks again! I'm inspired...

[@indianscout1019]

Jeez Ryan, You are a bloody genius!!! 15 minutes ago, I knew nothing about water makers or desalination, now I am an expert. Your delivery and way of explaining things is second to none - You'e a natural teacher. I reckon I could tackle this job no problem. Thanks so much for this!

[@markblair6130]

This is the absolutely the BEST explanation video I have ever seen!!!

[@alphasails2]

You’ve convinced me to make one. Now I just need a boat and the ocean to sail. Great presentation. Looking forward to the next update. 👍🙏❤️🚿🚿🚿🍷

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Yeah... all those details ;)

[@jwrn4u]

This is one of those rare videos that you could easily change a few bucks for viewing, great explanation, easy to understand, and combine with a installation part is a mini course.

[@tropicshade]

You convinced me... DYI is the way to go, for all the reasons mentioned. Thanks for a great video!

[@Mayaadventures]

wow, wow, wow you should be in the books! Elementary education for each human. GREAT video!

[@daluidi5923]

That’s the video that is really helpful. I am kind of sick to see guys showing the great time on the boat and nothing else. Thanks.

[@Mbowning]

Finally a video that makes total sense about water makers 👍. Thank you 😊

[@d3w4yn3]

I had to watch this a second time... I was too mesmerized by the cassette tape t-shirt!!! Joking. This was a very educational video, and when I finally am renovating, I'll go the DIY route based on this!!!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Awesome!

[@teresabeam3238]

A cassette tape on the shirt, Vienna White assistant, and smart to boot……this was wonderful to learn.

[@odunkafa]

as a senior environmental engineer, I can write this explain way better than my university classes.

[@davidc6510]

Very good explanation on how to make fresh water from sea water. As a salt water fish hobbyist I use reverse osmosis ionized to make pure water to which we add salt to make salt water for the reef tank. The process you show is very similar. The systems we use have several stages and can run at lower pressure than your set up at a lower production rate of gallons per hour. The kits for the reef tank hobbyist also contain inline TDS meters which make TDS testing a lot easier. Take care and happy sailing.

[@cliffmainor4255]

Ryan, you do a great job of breaking down the complicated and making the bite-sized elements easy to mentally digest. Thanks for doing this. Great video series!!!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Cliff

[@cwnull8893]

Your video removed a lot of fear I had about DIY desalination. I appreciate that, sir. Well done, y'all.

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi Ryan and Sophie, this is a superb video! 👏 KZbin is a wonderful place to learn skills and exchange knowledge with like-minded people across the world. Making this kind of video is a LOT of work, but the value they add to the sailing community is tangible and long-lasting. Keep up the great work and we hope to see you guys out there in an anchorage one day. Fair winds! Chris, Rossella & Emma 😊

[@trollking6111]

Best watermaker video on KZbin. Thanks!

[@sailing-deviant]

Hi Sophie & Ryan! Thank you for creating & posting this video. We are coming to completion on refitting our 1984 Tayana37 to begin cruising for next 5yrs. One of last projects is water maker. This video is giving us hope we could build one ourselves. Appreciate the simplicity of video and thorough explanation. Oliver is French & I am American - we met on a dating site as well 4yrs ago and making the transition to living on our boat we purchased two yrs ago. Love watching your adventures and sharing your journey!

[@marvelgadiane3436]

This the most great explained how to install.

[@00coppelia00]

Best boat DIY video I've seen so far. Liked and subscribed!

[@jamesnash1497]

I dig your lessons for those of us that have never sailed before GREAT MORE LESSONS PLEASE I NEW THAT THOSE DEVICES MADE WATER BUT NOW I CAN KNOW FOR SURE HOW WATER IS MADE FROM THE SAILSHIP THANKS YOU FOR THE INFO

[@sailingallon7470]

Excellent! One of the best if not THE BEST explanation and guidance how to put together the RO water-maker. Thank you!

[@bobgurwicz864]

Ryan, I really enjoyed the clear, concise explanation of all of the pieces, how they fit together, and their function - great 'show and tell!' Thank you!

[@duwayneriles7994]

Thanks for these videos! You have come a long way being in front of a camera. As a 30+ year automotive electrical tech. I am impressed with the amount of research you have put into the repairs and upgrades on your boat. Electrical is intimidating to most people but not hard to work with ... But can be time consuming... The diy water maker video was well thought out and explained well. For me videos like this makes your channel stand out more. Thanks! Sometimes the how we got there are just as interesting as the adventure itself.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks DuWayne! We hope to do more of these but its a bit busy with the crossing right now! :) - Ryan

[@grantmckinna7801]

I used to operate RO's and Submerged element evaporates in the Navy, and I can say you have presented this in the easiest from I have come across, well done

[@dianeswift]

Extraordinarily clear description of a water making system. Vanna White was a TV word game assistant who turned over letters to help contestants guess words or phrases. You aren’t expected to know this Sophie, having grown up in France. Arcane American pop knowledge. Great descriptive video!

[@aarondesrochers3890]

I agree with all of your points, lol

[@andrewkeir2282]

OOHH So that 'swho she was.. I had to look through these comments to find out who she was.. I would have said Rosemary Margan(?) being from Oz..

[@terrypen]

It's still being run in sydication. Sophie, look up Wheel of Fortune on wikipedia, Vanna has been doing those letter turns since 1982!

[@voiliersunshineexpress]

Hi, Could you share some informations about the High Pump Pressure, like the Hp and the RPM ? Thank you.

[@sailingmarilynkaye]

Thanks Ryan, you are a bloody ledgend take care guys.

[@brownnoise357]

A really good introduction for people . I may go DIY but have the Boat built ready to have a water maker for a future install so everything should have a right space in the right place for even easier DIY. One builder recommends having everything ready for a new I stall several years down the road, which I think is a nice attitude, saying improvements and lower costs are going to happen pretty much for certain. On to looking at the installation video. Best Wishes. Bob. 👍🙂🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇺🇲

[@jonathanomgitsme]

I was just beginning research on water makers following the purchase of a Pearson 424. This was an excellent primer on the functional parts and operating characteristics of a water maker. Thank you so much.

[@crispinlorenzo2695]

I star following you after your articule in Success Magazine. I don’t have a boat but I love the sea life. God be with you in all your traveling!

[@bigglestheflyboy]

This is probably the best description of the workings of a RO machine I've ever seen. I'm actually in the market for a sailing cruiser and the one I'm looking at right now has an RO system that needs a bit of work. I'll use what I've learned here to deal with this, if and when I buy the boat.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Wonderful! Thanks for the Note and keep us posted on how things turn out! - Ryan

[@alofns]

This was an excellent explanation of how a watermaker works and summary of options. Thanks.

[@murrat]

Great explanation. I have a rainman 115V A/C High output unit and it works just fine, but the major con for a live aboard vessel is it must be pickled after each use because you may only make water every two to 4 weeks. The automatic fresh water flush on your system is a great feature, and eliminates the need to pickle. To remove the pickling agent, the unit must run for a good 1/2 hour before making fresh water. Pro. I'm can easily sell my water maker.

[@tunamaniak]

How much fun did Sophie have? Finally full creative use for all the happy jingle tunes in the background.

[@HeidiandFranny]

Ryan, that was a great explanation! We have a couple RO systems at home running on the taps at 60psi. I was floored that you need ten times that pressure! Holy cow! I guess just because of the density difference. That was really fun to see how it works on a boat. Thanks!

[@IandiBoats]

This is the best video ever. The only other sailors I know that did a DYI watermaker successfully is emerald steel. Great job.

[@jwrn4u]

Correct and both videos were very well done,

[@kaskl5403]

This was a good explanation of how water makers work. Informative video, thanks.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thank you Ken! :)

[@sailmedea2028]

Another great video on technical aspects. Just installing my Sea Water Pro unit at the moment

[@woundedwhale786]

God bless you guys. That was an awesome explanation for providing one of humankinds basic needs. I'm thinking how these DIY watermakers could be mass produced to help the developing world with their water needs.

[@johngifford7725]

Vana White. Very poised, elegant, professional, and beautiful. High praise to be likened to her. I would recommend flushing the saltwater out of the high pressure pump as well. The valves in that pump like to stick in the seated position when they sit for more than a week or so with hard water. The salt will make that happen even more quickly. I also would get a spare valve kit for it. Should be less than $150us and come with the O-ring seals. Good video. Can't wait to watch the second one. Thanks for sharing.

[@johngifford7725]

Watched it again. You're already doing that. Awesome. Great video.

[@mishpatim123]

Excellent job and highly interesting video. You explained it thorougly at 11:54 but the signs were reversed, it should read TDS < 600 mg/l, so the TDS should be below this norm, and pref below 300 mg/l. You got me inspired to make our own WM, thanks a lot ! Total dissolved solids The palatability of water with a total dissolved solids (TDS) level of less than about 600 mg/l is generally considered to be good; drinking-water becomes signifi cantly and increasingly unpalatable at TDS levels greater than about 1000 mg/l. The presence of high levels of TDS may also be objectionable to consumers, owing to excessive scaling in water pipes, heaters, boilers and household appliances. No health-based guideline value for TDS has been proposed (see sections 8.5.1 and 12.1).

[@ehysong]

As someone who spent five years on a couple of submarines working on water makers you did an excellent job explaining the process. So good that I subscribed to your channel 👍

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks! Ryan

[@jima4656]

Thank you for a great explanation with lots of information, but no wasted time. You did a fantastic job with this.

[@peterfarley2784]

Ryan you have a very good way of explaining things in a manner that even non-tech minded people can get their heads round. Love this Channel it is a inspiration and mind opener.

[@toddtavares7386]

I will end up watching this video several more times. I am furiously taking notes. One very minor thing though (< means less than....> means more than)

[@FX5067]

Thank you for an excellent, thorough, easy explanation, of how a water maker works. Very helpful throughout.

[@joakimnorler346]

Nice video about the magic of making water. Now I understand it a little more!

[@MG-hx4dd]

Thank you for a very informative episode. You are a born teacher Ryan ! Merci !

[@davidcorston4907]

great simple to follow video. I have been scouring the internet for build your own unit info . Hands down best. Cheers

[@scottgordon1781]

Thanks , very informative . Not looking to have 45 min showers , nice as they are . Am only looking at a 26 ' Wharram , a water maker is just for drinking and cooking . However , the basic rules still apply . Still need amps for it to function , am looking at a wind vane and solar panels , if I want to go off shore . Plenty food for thought here , thanks again .

[@mr.e7022]

Great vid. I'm starting to put together a DIY water maker. Using a pressure washer (K4) that I bought for $160. The rest of the water maker pretty much is what you described. I expect the pressure washer to last two years but beat that against almost a thousand dollars for a motor/pump combo.

[@dustinmorrison147]

Enjoyed your presentation very much. Thanks.

[@SVAmour]

I contacted the company regarding the $1,500 water maker. The gentleman said they no longer make this version and have opted for a very sturdy water maker. Unfortunately, the price doubled. If anyone is using the $1,500 version please comment as to its durability and actual cost. A detailed item cost would be great. Perhaps this version's parts have become more expensive since this video was made. Greatly appreciated.

[@musiclinepro1]

This is the best explanation video I have ever seen, thank you for your help, now I´m goin to install my water maker on my sailboat , have a great day

[@Patri-ciaVB]

Thank you, Ryan, for this very helpful video.

[@SteveRVRepairs]

What a great video. I hope other sailors can make their own. I hold back about 8 gals of water for the flush ... great to let people know that dock water contains chlorine most of the time... kudos my friend

[@spiritualwarrior4484]

Loved the video, great job, outstanding idea to know your entire system, because you designed and built it...

[@jpdj2715]

Very nice explanation overall. Osmosis, though, is a process involving fluids in two spaces separated by a membrane, where the "stuff" in the fluids travels through the membrane, from higher concentration to lower concentration. In Reversed Osmosis, the fluid goes through the membrane from high to low concentration. This is actually a three way process where the fluid after the filter, with the increased concentration, is dumped, e.g. into the sewage. Three: input, clean output, dirty output. In many smaller (home) systems, the clean water is stored in a tank pressurized with a bladder. As a tank has a limited capacity, at certain point when the tank is full, these systems then continue to input water into the RO filter, but dump everything through the dirty output. This wears your RO filter out faster. I am aware there are some automatic valves (simple mechanic) that would close the input of the RO filter once the pressurized clean water tank is full. As to the carbon filter, I would like that in the chain with filtered sea water as well. Just personal. Big problem, indicated elsewhere too, with RO water is it is very unhealthy. With a pH of around 5 it is acidic and in a system with normal osmosis its zero concentration causes substance to flow out of tissue into the water. You get demineralized quickly and become very unhealthy. Experience.

[@raytaylorification]

Thank you for the overview of your watermaker system. Simple, clear, and well done. The General 1.6 GPM pump is considered by many as the best HP pump for this type of system. How is the Comet pump holding up? Knowing what you know now, would you change? Thanks again.

[@DoctorProperty]

Ryan great breakdown. Buying a water maker is a minefield for the uninitiated - so thanks for the detailed explanation, this really does help. Love your diagrams as well.

[@be.side.schepop]

Those Tech Corner videos are great! Kudos to Ryan for pulling all his teaching and technical skills. At this point, I'm taking all your videos to budget and get a notion on potential updates along, after buying my beloved future “blue water sailing offshore home” Cheers!

[@be.side.schepop]

And thank you Sofie for the brilliant, didactic editing, with funny audio effects and little visuals to walk us through.

[@artthurman3446]

Nice contribution! After living in SE Asia...I am a fan of collecting rain water, even on a boat. Requires filtering, of course, but little else. Our latest system, in order to rid the decks of ugly Gerry cans, went semi-direct into it's own holding tank, with the flow pre- filtered. That way, separate testing to ensure no potential cross contamination. Never had any issues. For cruisers with more than two people, or not enough water tankage, it can make a huge difference. Better than most dock water supplies! Thisrain water, in my mind should be in addition to a decent water maker.

[@stevedupont210]

Best video you have done to date, can you give us a list of parts and what you paid for each as a guide, I get a new boat in two months and I have been stressing over this issue, thanks

[@mehrangerami187]

Nice job on explaining the water maker. Be safe.

[@GamalDahab]

I like the way you explaining step by step..... i can wait for coming video ... good job

[@cruisingdeuxpoissons629]

Hi Ryan (and Sophie). Thanks for posting this informative video. We are in the process of fitting our own water maker and this information has been so helpful. We have a website where we are documenting the restoration of our classic motor boat and I have signposted your video on our website because of how helpful it was. We follow your adventures and love them !! Carol and Patrick.

[@imoutclimbing]

Nice job! One of the best DIY/technical sailing videos I've seen. A few thoughts... Not to be nit-picky, but I think it's TDS (total dissolved solids). Second, it might be nice to get a combo pH and TDS monitor. pH is a critical component of water, and one that should be examined when processing water (especially for human consumption). Even small changes in pH can have significant short-term and long-term impacts on the body. Finally, a highly efficient RO filter may get TDS too low, and dangerous for human consumption. Re-mineralization and pH adjustment kits are available to properly adjust water for human consumption.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Hi there. Thanks for the comments. Your points are valid and we are researching ways to put some minerals back in our eater supply. Ryan

[@richsander1118]

Thanks, very good easy to follow. When I make my own later I will come back to watch it again.

[@ordinarymiracles5959]

Thank you very much for your very timely and helpful answer. Chris.

[@mikeferguson2828]

I went the easy way and fitted a Spectra Cape Horn extreme to my cat. I do like the 12v feed pumps with the Clarke pump needing no power to run. You just have to feed 12v to the dual shurflow feed pumps. I pickle mine when not cruising and just use city water in my tanks which is available at my marina but from next year it will run full time while cruising. Nice video with good info. A watermaker makes life soooooo much more comfortable. You will see this yourselves for sure.

[@johnmclachlan1023]

Great explanation all round. Only recently come across your channel and you are managing to alter some old man pre conceived ideas.

[@simonjones7785]

I must admit though I have a background in engineering I never realy understood the whole process till now well done on the explanation

[@allynonderdonk7577]

A good start...I listed pretty much those same parts in the comments section on the link I sent you. I think you got the DC version so you will top out at about 20 gallons per hour and probably use about 60 amps DC while running. Probably no biggie as you have such a large battery bank. 20 Gallons or more a day isn't bad(20 gph), and unlike some manufacturers like Spectra, you won't have to babysit the water maker all day. A 1hp or 1.5 hp pump,motor, and additional pressure vessel could get you from 35 to 55 gallons per hour. With a big inverter or big DC motors and a different pump head this could be done. Though what you have is just fine. Don't forget the pressure washer safety release valve. If the pump fails it could blow the system up, and with the pressure release it could save you two from really bad water injection injuries, and prevent the membranes and vessel from exploding. It would go on the other outlet of your high pressure head and then from a tube to the saltwater brine discharge. As a side note, I really don't like the looks of those one way valves...I would expect trouble out of them eventually.

[@jeffhalla777]

Love the visual explanation of everything! Great job

[@NavinBetamax]

except the dis-obedient stickies . ......Lol !

[@yuchubeluvstabanmeh7213]

This is unimaginably helpful

[@williamhansen5498]

Never saw this Ryan during the Crossing or the lock down. Tell Vanna she made a good choice. Oh I enjoyed the video.

[@MrFurriephillips]

Wow, what a great video - so wonderfully technical, in-depth & comprehensive!

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks!

[@morhon5]

Excellent, but TDS instead of TSD

[@RayCasey2010]

Excellent content and smooth presentation

[@lorenwilson8128]

An alternative to your metering valve is a back-pressure regulator. A spring-loaded model can be set and will hold the pressure at your desired value (600-800 psi) without adjustment. They cost more than a metering valve. Try Swagelok for a look at a small unit.

[@lauriebott3020]

.Ryan! Great Job !! Your a natural . Vanna! kudo's for the assist

[@Bri-wi8kq]

Thank you for sharing your insights on watermaker system. I'm putting together a system to run off the main diesel engine for my TopHat 25'. Just love your videos. Thank you Brian

[@petermerritt754]

Need to source a water maker for our boat, now feeling way more confident to be an informed buyer. Great video Ryan, and thanks also to Sophie who l suspect was behind the graphics.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Wonderful! And yes, sophie is the brains behind that

[@accessories9390]

Thank you blessing us with this video. Very well explained.

[@YASCSailingEsperanza]

Great video! Using it as a strong reference for our own pressure-washer water maker system! Thanks, keep the videos coming!

[@Snookbite24]

Can you provide links to the motor and high pressure pump?

[@LondonCarnaval]

Excellent presentation. I wish my teachers were as good as you 👍👍👍👏👏👏✌❤☘

[@dougford5691]

Excellent video. Very informative . Very easy to understand.

[@billb2176]

Thanks guys for an excellent video - I'm looking at building a watermaker and have watched a few videos and done some research and have not seen a simpler or clearer explanation. Cheers

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Bill - Ryan

[@johnVidBozo]

Another great DIY vid from you guys! I'd like to offer two very minor corrections. Ryan says the watermaker removes solids. Well sort of. It removes dissolved solids, i.e. salts dissolved in the water. That's what is so magical about it. :) If they were just solids you wouldn't need the pressure pump and fancy membrane. Second Ryan refers to the meter checking for fresh water as a 'TSD monitor'. I've always heard it said as a TDS monitor since it is checking for Total Dissolve Solids, not Total Solids Dissolved. I'll leave it to others to explain 'Vanna White' refference. :)

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks for the correction! Sometimes things slip or get a bit backwards after days of saying it. Ryan

[@gacaniso]

Thanks guys. Excellent video.

[@sl1pg8r]

R&S! GREAT video! Much needed information for anyone who wants to make water and not make a huge hole in their wallet. THANK YOU!

[@andreasvogel9049]

Hi Ryan and Sophie, very good and entertaining explanation of a water maker. Never seen explained so easy and clear. Thank you very much for your fantastic vids. Greetings from Germany.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Awesome! Glad you like it Andreas :)

[@jerryfield5815]

Absolutely love the way you lay everything out in your videos keep them coming.

[@RyanSophieSailing]

Thanks Jerry. Yes, we are planning more. Ryan

[@shannoncash3237]

Very well explained thanks Ryan

[@wakeupamerica1001]

I have to say for a demenstration ur hands down very professional. This was one of the greatest walk through presentations i've ever seen on utube. Fantastic job to both of u.👌👍

[@devnomadJS]

Thanks for sharing this, fantastic work.

[@SailtoUtopiaAdventures]

Great video explanation! Cheers!

[@seatravel8536]

Curious what your thinking is on: adding either or both, if UV treatment or charcoal filter before the holding tank.