Water-makers

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RJL
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Joined: 4/26/17
Posts: 45
Water-makers

Hi, I am investigating adding a water maker to my 1993 36'.  I am interested in where those of you who have done this upgrade located the water-maker and the required thru hulls. I don't intend to run this off the engine as I have solar panels and a wind generator. I'll run the engine if those sources can't keep up.  Any feedback is appreciated. 

Thanks,
Bob
 

Bob Longo
Transcendent, 1993 Catalina 36 Mk. 1.5, hull 1237
Raleigh, NC

Lanealoha
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Joined: 2/13/20
Posts: 76

An instance where this site is not as helpful as one would expect from an owners forum.  What did you end up doing Bob?  I have an 1988' 36' that I am about to install a water maker on.  I have removed the electric flush head a few years ago and replaced with a composting head.  With that I have removed the holding tank and all associated plumbing, macerators water pumps etc...Being that my water maker is module I plan on using the existing through hulls from the aforementioned plumbing.  The majority of the system will get mounted under the port sette ( well thats what I imagine as I sit home 300 miles from my boat) we'll see what actually happens when I get down there in a few weeks.

David Lane
S/V Grace
88' Catalina 36'
Oxnard, Ca
 

jpsp
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Joined: 11/2/20
Posts: 7

That is exactly what I did. I used a modular system (seawater pro in florida, highly recommended. He instantly answers any question I ever have via text).

I added a compost toilet and used the old holding tank location for the membranes and filters. I used the old thruhulls for water in and added an above the waterline through hull next to the bilge pump overboard for brine. 

I put the pump and motor where the water heater normally is and extended the little shelf all the way across to centerline and put the water heater directly under the sink. I even managed to fit a freezer down there too and moved the fridge compressor there too. I watercooled it with one of the old thruhulls from the traditional head. 

If people are interested, ping me and I can send pictures. 

But more generally, if you get a modular system, you can really get creative. You'll need to cut a hole in a bulkhead every now and then, but there's lots of room under the sink/drystores/settee. I call that entire area the "machinery space". 

Also, +1 on the wind and solar. We haven't run our engine in almost a year (except during hurricane kay this October) and run the water maker twice a week using just solar. Definitely the way to go. 

Lanealoha
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Joined: 2/13/20
Posts: 76

I also just purchased the SeaWater Pro modular system. Do you have any recommendations based on your experience of setting up your system that I should pay attention to? Anything you did or didn't do or would have done differently in hindsight?  I'll be heading to my boat in a week to start the install process. Thanks

David Lane
S/V Grace
88' Catalina 36'
Oxnard, Ca
 

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