How to repair and service a watermaker on a sailboat. Sailing Q&A 4

[@michaelread2067]

For me, Jamie, bestest as here when you're technical. You're a natural.

[@followtheboat]

Cheers, Michael.

[@youngypaul]

Phill is a champion. He did some work on my boat too. Highly recommend!

[@followtheboat]

[Liz] He is a good man! He's also helped enormously with subsequent issues. Peace and fair winds!

[@gasguzzler69]

good video, nice to watch 2 blokes using their brains and working it out. not enough of the channels show this kind of stuff. it broken what do we do ? well fix it or at least give it a go. cheers davo.

[@followtheboat]

[Liz] Cheers! Yes, on a boat you have to give it a go yourself, and if that doesn't work ask someone else's advice. This happens all the time on boats, and is a basic part of life. Sailing channels who ignore this sort of thing are presenting alternative facts... ;)

[@gasguzzler69]

its just like camping, fishing, boating, traveling, things happen and you fix it or find someone who can. its part of the adventure :) . whats your experience thoughts on wind power ?. i have a friend using it and they reckon it better than solar. my way would to be to have both, if one fails you have the other. sorry my comments are so late, your videos pop up as i am leaving for work. cheers davo

[@pnwesty7174]

Here's a Q for your Q&A: Why does your YT avatar and your shirt/FTB show a sloop rig, while Esper is a ketch? :-) Love the videos!

[@followtheboat]

Because we don't always sail the mizzen. Good question though!

[@guyfrawley9662]

Well done Jamie, great video. I feel i have the confidence to strip the next broken watermaker I come across! Enjoyed your humor and thanks to Phil for the IP! I came across Schenker watermaker systems in an industrial application and they had justified the capital spend by offsetting the recovery of energy generated by the system. Really impressive product.

[@followtheboat]

Cheers, Guy. Yeah, that energy recovery system is pretty unique.

[@chrisphinney6430]

great info in a great location i can even hear the waves

[@followtheboat]

Hehe, yeah its a pretty cool spot.

[@svbarryduckworth628]

A watermaker would sure be nice. It does seem that they are fiddly creatures that take a lot of maintenance to keep them in operation though. We don't really have the room to set one up on our smaller 35' boat, or the extra power to run it right now, so we are planning to try going without. It might be a trial conserving water though. Fresh water is a precious commodity on a sailboat. Nice video on your watermaker and your efforts to keep it running in top notch condition. I'm getting really spoiled having a new FollowTheBoat video every day to watch.

[@followtheboat]

Cheers, +SV Barry Duckworth. There are small watermaker units out there though. They take up little space. I helped recommission a unit that was small enough to tuck under the sink. Of course their output is far less but the trick with watermakers is to run them regularly. If you get into the habit of running them whenever the engine is on, for example, then they're less of a hassle. The problems start when you're constantly pickling them. I've let our watermaker stand for weeks at a time without pickling and it doesn't seem to mind.

[@CaptainBazza]

SV Barry Duckworth We installed an H2O to go watermaker in a companion way step. Total cost about AUD$4600. Details here www.h2oonthego.com.au/ .

[@Duh6666666]

I'm really liking these videos, thanks!

[@followtheboat]

+Duh6666666 [Liz] Thank you for taking the time to leave a nice comment!

[@laurentfroggy6631]

very interesting Jamie. thanks for sharing. best from Hong Kong

[@followtheboat]

+Laurent Froggy [Liz] So pleased you found it interesting. Regards to Hongkers!

[@Doyle-Nutbush]

Jamie, you have a truck load of patience. I would have still been cursing those parts whilst putting it back together .

[@followtheboat]

[Liz] It's a good thing I wasn't there, otherwise he would have been cursing...at me! Haha! ;)

[@sailingcruiser25]

Awesome thank you so much for that information! Glad you finally figured out the issue.

[@followtheboat]

[Liz] Jamie was so relieved when they worked it out. A moment of joy for all of us!

[@alchik1]

Useful information!

[@followtheboat]

+Al Smitherman [Liz] So pleased you found it useful, thanks for the comment.

[@alchik1]

It sure beats my manual watermaker! I'll keep this model in mind when I add one.

[@daveschuetrum576]

That's very interesting in the workings of desalination reverse osmosis pumps. I have a Big Berkey water filtration water maker. It has filters that take out all the bad stuff to make just about any water drinkable. Except salt water. It seems that the salt molecules combine with the water molecules and the gravity type units do not separate the molecules like your pressure unit does. Pretty neat!

[@followtheboat]

Interested to know in what application you use your water maker, Dave. I'd just assumed all reverse osmosis desalinators were used for salt water.

[@daveschuetrum576]

The type of water purifier I use, (here on land), can make almost any water potable. Mine is used as a backup in case my well quits working, then I can safely use pond water to drink nearby. I live out in the boonies. Drinkable water is important. It is a filter and not reverse osmosis. The filters can be reverse flushed. Here's a link to these kind of filters... www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/helpful-resources/?___SID=U

[@followtheboat]

Yes, that's quite a different process. The only filter we use is a 5 micron to remove 'large' particles from the raw water. Given more space if like to include an additional filter system like the Big Berkey inline.

[@donmcnabb6942]

It'd be nice if you included details like costs, availability of parts (time & cost for shipping etc) as well as what other water makers you considered. Also might be nice if Phil, being the new dealer for their products in that region, sent a note to them including a link to this video. It's great customer feedback for them that warrants some customer appreciation like maybe a free 3.0 version to evaluate ;) or at least some cool promotional gear. Lol I love the tips like the drill socket hack. Your vids are a great combination of info and fun that keeps it entertaining.

[@followtheboat]

Thanks, Don. Yes, I should have included costs for the new parts, though I couldn't comment on shipping and delivery times except from my own experience. Will bear this in mind. And free anything is always welcome ;) Thanks for watching.

[@lessthantendegrees9560]

Very informative, cheers!

[@followtheboat]

No worries.

[@kubuli100]

Thanks jamie

[@followtheboat]

No problem

[@kgstudio5352]

Great, great information on the water maker and repairing it. I love these Q&A videos...so much info. I have a question about bugs and insects on board and keeping them out in humid places like the part of the world that you are traveling in. Have you ever had problems with cockroaches and insects getting inside the boat? If so, how do you get rid of them and prevent an infestation? Thanks and fair winds!

[@followtheboat]

Great question, Kia. In fact the clip of Liz swearing at me was when we were clearing up a cockroach infestation. They happen from time to time but are easily tackled with the right powder. We'll cover it more in a future episode but essentially you want to get your boric acid (or equivalent) in all the cupboards and under the sole boards.

[@anthonykirkby5144]

Great vid. Everything we wanted to know about water-makers. One thing we wanted to ask? Esper whats your draft, we have 1.90mtrs would that be restrictive? Or just a matter of timing the tide? Ant and Cid x

[@followtheboat]

1.9m is a very respectable draft, Ant. Should be no problem.

[@davidjosephson6175]

hey guys. I just happened on to your channel and I will be binge watching for the day. Quick question. We will be pulling the trigger on a boat this summer or fall. We have a dog and I'm wondering what troubles you have with checking into countries with your cat. Love you channel. May you have Fair winds and following seas.

[@PhiLeo7973]

shandra Josephson Tho Liz & Jamie and cat are priceless for their broad spectrum knowledge of sailing and too many subjects to list(humor included) u might want to check out Bob & Megan.@ Sailing Doodles. They jave been sailing with their two Labradoodles,recently to the Bahamas.Fair Winds.

[@followtheboat]

Hey Shandra. Millie hasn't been too much of a problem tbh. We have vaccinations and records for her but without the EU certified pet passport (a number of countries around the world all have an agreement on pet importation that is made easier with this documentation) some countries are more difficult than others. We've had no problem from Turkey all the way to Malaysia, but we cannot enter Australia or return to the UK with her without this special passport. TBH mainland countries are less of a big deal, it's the islands (UK, Aus) that are awkward. Cats are easier in that they can stay on the boat though. It's a case of checking each country before visiting.

[@stevedickinson5885]

Great episode, very well put together. Have a question about solar power. Don't know if you have seen what Elon Musk is doing with solar roof tiles but wondered if an adaption of that concept would be viable to "roof" a boat with much more surface area than is possible with fixed sized solar panels.

[@followtheboat]

Hi Steve. Yes, we try to keep up with solar technology and I'm aware of these panels. My dad told me about them initially and I did wonder about the practicality of putting them on a boat. The main issue would be their non-slip properties in the wet and how much heat they generate, not to mention wiring. Interested to know how much more or less efficient an array of them are compared to a single panel of the same dimensions.

[@beverleyportlock9680]

Thank you for the watermaker video. It is something I am looking at myself and I will investigate the Schenker (sp?) models. On a totally unrelated issue, can you make a video about the issues of maintaining UK citizenship when you are away for more than 6 months? Is it necessary to revisit on some schedule or is it sufficient to have a UK address? How does HMRC view your life? Thanks for a great channel

[@CheersWarren]

hi I've been out of the blighity for over 30 years and apart from renewing passport no issues and no uk address required. W.

[@followtheboat]

As said, this isn't an issue, Beverly. We do our tax returns online and renew passports of we happen to be back in the uk seeing relatives (which we both did last year).

[@frankgrant3260]

I have a question for the Q&A. Being new to the idea of being a live aboard, other than passports and inoculation shots what else is needed to be able to hop from one country to the other on a boat? What kind of issues do you have to deal with with customs?

[@followtheboat]

+Frank Grant [Liz] It's just the same as land-based travel with the addition of the harbour master's office to clear the boat in and out. Visas differ from country to country, so do your homework before you arrive. It's not difficult. Enjoy!!

[@frankgrant3260]

followtheboat thank you for responding back. Would that be the same with produce and other forms of inspections before docking?

[@tigersharkzh]

I'd get those rods on a lathe and take the thread off the sections that remain outside the housing when assembled.

[@CheersWarren]

Good idea! the factory should have thought of that!Great info on watermakers, they do seem to be great machines but are often trouble some. Picking a machine with good world wide support is vital. The use of watermakers has made the singlehanded/crewed sailing races round the world so much faster as they don't have to carry all the weight of water , hence less food so less weight , hence even faster so shorter times so even less food and it goes on. About 75 days for the Vendeeglobe finishing in the next couple of days. great informative video. cheers warren

[@followtheboat]

Yes, very good point!

[@normanboyes4983]

Great and informative video. But, are you absolutely sure the RO process filters out bacteria? I though you need a final stage UV steriliser to achieve that.

[@followtheboat]

+Norman Boyes [Liz] Pretty sure. The thing you have watch for bacteria and growth is the tanks. A drop of beach now and then dies the trick...

[@svroysjoy5538]

Another great informative vid of how it is not all easy sailing - Ive seen a petrol version of a water maker [mobile unit] have you any experience of these - rated output of 140ltr per hour just cant find the link i had

[@followtheboat]

I've heard of them but have no experience with them. 140lt is a respectable output.

[@judd_s5643]

How often do you have to replace the membranes? Are they expensive? I understand the availability issues but let's assume you were near the mfg. Really enjoy your channel! Edited to add > From the mfg website (The only consumable that must be replaced periodically (on average 1 or 2 times in a season) is the pre filter cartridge, which is inexpensive. The reverse osmosis membrane is expensive to replace but has an average life of 6-7 years if the maintenance manual instructions are carefully followed.)

[@followtheboat]

Hey Judd. You just about answered your own question with the edit. Spot on.

[@followtheboat]

Forgot to say: membranes are around $400 dollars, give or take.

[@svbarryduckworth628]

$400 doesn't sound all that bad to me. I was thinking the membrane replacements were in the $1000 range.

[@followtheboat]

I don't think they're that expensive, unless exchange rates have changed that much since I last looked. Ebay has many, as does Amazon.

[@svbarryduckworth628]

I've just gotten used to every price in the boating world starting at $1000 and going up from there.

[@shinybaldy]

Interesting. Most systems I've seen use a low pressure pump and a clarkpump.

[@followtheboat]

Isn't that a Spectra-specific system?

[@shinybaldy]

followtheboat I think maybe the "clark pump" name may be specific in RO as spectra? But I think other water maker may call it a boost pump. Rainman water maker out of Australia and others may call it diff?

[@followtheboat]

Thanks for the info. I am no expert on watermakers and I'm learning all the time (which is sailing in general). Thanks for the info.

[@wedgeii2]

thx.

[@followtheboat]

No problem, Will.

[@paulsmyers203]

I think what you're looking for is a hex to square adapter. www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW2547Ir-4-Inch-2-Inch-Adaptor/dp/B000YQ341C They come in the various square sizes. Watching you disassemble it I kept thinking "Why is he turning that by hand ... ?" Ha ha ha!

[@followtheboat]

Thanks for the link, Paul. Unscrewing by hand is a pain so Phil's solution was great.

[@legend343]

So had they sent you the wrong pistons then.?? Warren

[@followtheboat]

Hey Warren. It's a little confusing. I bought the new piece through the UK distributor who sent me the new pistons as well. I assumed I was to use these. Breakdown in communication!

[@douglasmontgomery6315]

Design looks similar to Spectre / Katadyne

[@BobbieGWhiz]

Any watermakers known for their simplicity, durability, and ease of maintenance and repair, or are they all similarly challengingly?

[@followtheboat]

That's not a question I could answer with complete authority. The only other watermaker I have experience with is the Eco Tec, which is petty straightforward.

[@charliegracie3576]

Here's a Q for your Q&A: I know it's a morbid subject but what is your plan if one of you passes away while you are at sea. Has this been discussed?

[@followtheboat]

Morbid but interesting at the same time. We'll add this one to the list and discuss it in a future episode. Thanks for posting.

[@charliegracie3576]

Yeah I know, we can see that you two bounce off each other and work great as a team and are very proficient sailors as that team. But imagine you are in the middle of the pacific when something happens. Would you have the strength to solo sail yet alone the emotional stress you woud be under. And what are the legalities of it all, who do you contact etc.

[@jackiehowlett2449]

What is pickering?

[@followtheboat]

Hi Jackie. Do you mean 'pickling'? It's common practice to pickle a water maker when leaving it unused for a period of time.

[@jackiehowlett2449]

followtheboat, sure I did😉 You use vinegar or something?

[@followtheboat]

No, we use two chemicals, one to clean and one to pickle. One is an alkaline but I don't remember which is which. It comes in a powder which you add to a bucket of water that you then flush through the system. We buy ours direct from Schenker but you could probably make your own using the relevant ingredients sourced from a chemical shop.

[@followtheboat]

+Jackie Howlett I've just checked. One person out there uses Sodium Metabisulphite, which you can buy from wine and beer shops. See this link: mvvikingstar.blogspot.com/2013/10/cleaning-and-pickling-of-watermaker.html?m=1

[@jackiehowlett2449]

followtheboat, Thanks guys, but I don't have a boat yet😃 I did go to the link. He talks about dead fish or whatever getting in the membranes. That's gross man😗 Shouldn't the filter stop things from getting in? If I just do coastal cruising, think I can get away without one😃

[@BeachBow]

You're lucky you only had the salt to deal with. At my beach house, we had the sulfur oxide to deal with. Had to process the water with 36% Hydrogen Peroxide to knock down the sulfur. Then pass it thru a charcoal filter to knock down any residual peroxide before passing it thru a high pressure osmosis system. 10 gal of water produces 2 gal of fresh water, and 8 gal of "bad" discharge. A very expensive proposition costing about $400 a month in chemicals. Do yall ever catch rain water?

[@followtheboat]

+BeachBow [Liz] Eeeeyuuu, sounds horrible! Mind you, some of the ports we've been anchored in are full of diesel, oil and unmentionables! We sometimes catch rainwater, but don't have a dedicated system. We're hoping to install one when we build the hard dodger. Peace and fair winds!

[@jonathank5289]

Do you guys make sure to take lots of supplements when drinking lots of water from the water maker. There is another couple sailing around the world and she hates drinking water from the water maker do to it being stripped of all minerals etc. My understanding is Liz never had children so the issues with suffering brittle bones is far lower than a woman who has had multiple children. The wife in this couple basically gets all the bottled spring water during long passages or when clean water isn't easily found.

[@followtheboat]

+Jonathan Kaany [Liz] Thanks for the interesting comment. No, we don't take supplements as we get plenty of vitamins and minerals from our food. The water's for washing, making tea and coffee, as well as rehydrating when we're sweating in this tropical heat! We're not picky about water, which we're happy to drink from almost anywhere! Peace and fair winds.

[@andrewballantine]

We have a RO (Reverse Osmosis) filter at home which is similar to a watermaker. We love the clean taste of the water. UK municipal water can be pretty awful sometimes hence the RO filter. However we do take vit & min supplements and I also found out recently that most of us are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium is best absorbed via the skin, swimming in seawater daily is excellent, or in drinking water. The solution is to make your own Magnesium bicarbonate by taking a litre of soda water and adding 3 tablespoons (45ml) of Magnesium Hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia). Recap the soda water and shake. rest in the fridge for 30 mins and shake again. After the third shake the plastic bottle will deform slightly as the contents shrink slightly. Then you can add this at 11 water to one magnesium bicarbonate to your pure water from the watermaker. This makes the water taste really nice. This I think is the response of one's body saying "Hey magnesium that's good"