I don't know how many water makers Mike Schooley has owned.  I have owned two
large ones (as per my post) used on a daily basis over a peroid of eight
years and a PUR Survival--hand unit--never used. The Web site Mike directs us
to outlines some sketchy material about the Spectra unit.

You should not pruchase a watermaker unless you are going to use it on a
weekly basis regularly.  ANY water maker has the same problems: the membrane
will be ruined by chlorine, by any oil or organic contaminant.  All membranes
have to be pickled and cleaned.  All membranes are subject to freeze dammage.
Membranes last longer if they are back flushed with fresh water after each
use.  You need a series of filters, you should have an oil water separater
and in many applications need a boost pump.  All of the technologies use high
pressure--cracks in the membrane vessels and seal leaks are very common.

A friend of mine was considering obtaining the Spectra franchise for the Gulf
coast.
We reviewed the situation and he decided against it for several reasons.  I
do not know how well these units are doing the real world--they have all of
the above problems and I am happy to hear that Steve Darden is having good
luck with his.
The PUR units did have seal problems--which most likely have been resolved.
If a membrane is contaminated it must be replaced--fortunately the cost has
come down to about $400 (it was $700).  A person who is mechanically inclined
can make his own unit for much less than the Standard, Village Marine etc.  I
have a friend who has a home brew unit that has been running for 12 years,
with only one change of membrane--cost less than 2,000 for a 400 gal a day
unit.

During the 8 years of daily use of my two watermakers I had two failures--one
was a defective diverter valve--I made a manual valve do until a replacement
was sent.
The other was the contamination of a membrane from jellyfish material--even
though I had the mesh, the 20 micron and 5 micron filters, there was enough
protein that got through to contaminate the membrane.  I had oil water
separaters and booster pumps on both units.

Don't get the idea that you can "plug and play".  Any unit takes many
precautions and making water is expensive--particularly if you have to
replace membranes.  For a month or so trip to the Bahamas, buy the water when
necessary--catch it when it rains.  If you will be crossing oceans and living
in remote areas were the water is suspect for disease--invest in a
watermaker.--For a boat like Mike's I probably would not consider a
watermaker--he will most likely be in areas where good water is available.
One of the reasons is that it would not be in regular use.  If the maker is
not to be used for a couple of weeks, it must be cleaned and pickled.

Incidently 15 gallons a day is probably a very good number in todays world
for a couple.  You can easily survive on one to two gallons a day. For those
of you who have not heard my story about the Transpac--2500 miles, 10 men and
50 gallons of water--we had some left when we arrived after 15 days. (of
course I didn't count the beer and soft drinks)
Regards,

Bob Austin

Bob Austin wrote, "I don't know how many water makers Mike Schooley has
owned."

Bob makes a good point. I have never owned a marine Watermaker. I'd take
information from a wannabe with a grain of salt:-)>. That's one reason I
appreciate the opportunity to discuss it on this list and gain some of the
knowledge that people like Bob have amassed.

"The Web site Mike directs us to outlines some sketchy material about the
Spectra unit."

I thought the Spectra web site was pretty informative, although they could
do a better job explaining the "Clark pump". To me it looks very similar to
what we called bootstrap pressurization pumps in liquid storable propellant
propulsion systems (dinitrogen tetroxide N2O4 and Unsymmetrical Dimethyl
Hydrazine UDMH, now that's good stuff, but I digress). They do have the
complete owners manual online.

"You should not pruchase a watermaker unless you are going to use it on a
weekly basis regularly.  ANY water maker has the same problems: the membrane
will be ruined by chlorine, by any oil or organic contaminant.  All
membranes have to be pickled and cleaned.  All membranes are subject to
freeze dammage.  Membranes last longer if they are back flushed with fresh
water after each use.  You need a series of filters, you should have an oil
water separater and in many applications need a boost pump.  All of the
technologies use high pressure--cracks in the membrane vessels and seal
leaks are very common."

All good and valid points. That is why I have searched for reviews and
positive and negative user feedback. I did a "Google" search on [+spectra
+watermaker +problem]. Here are some of the highlights and low lights I
found. Check out some of these URLs. To save time, do a "Find" (ctrl + f)
and look for Spectra.
http://www.yachting.net/forum/subject128.html I think the last response
proves that some people should opt for a professional installation.
http://windom.netrack.net/boat/equipment.html
http://www.livingaboard.com/samplett.htm
http://www.latitude38.com/letters/200008.htm
http://www.latitude38.com/letters/200006.htm
http://www.samurai.com/lists/trawler-world-old/2000/08/0477.html
http://www.oceanlinkinc.com/watermaker/Spectrainfo.htm a dealer, so take a
grain of salt too.

The owners manual details the pickling process. It doesn't sound too hard,
but the chemicals cost $15 each time. I won't have to worry about freezing
though:-)>.

"<snip> Don't get the idea that you can "plug and play".  Any unit takes
many
precautions and making water is expensive--particularly if you have to
replace membranes."

Many of the problems I have read about seam to be installation related
problems. Fortunately I'll have Michael Kasten design the system into my
boat and the boatyard will install it (so I'll have someone other than
myself to blame :-). It looks like cooling fans on the pump(s) are a good
idea unless you have really good ventilation.

"<snip> For a boat like Mike's I probably would not consider a
watermaker--he will most likely be in areas where good water is available.
One of the reasons is that it would not be in regular use.  If the maker is
not to be used for a couple of weeks, it must be cleaned and pickled."

You right, and I have struggled with this decision and I might change my
mind if cost gets out of control or I might design it for a Watermaker but
leave it out until later to reduce cost. We are spoiled when it comes to
daily showers and we plan to cruise a lot in the "Sea of Cortez" or is "Gulf
of California" more PC? Anyway, I figure we'll enjoy it more is we are
comfortable and the more we enjoy our boat the more we'll use it.
Montezuma's revenge isn't enjoyable either.

Thanks for the good response Bob!

Cheers;
Mike Schooley
Trailerable Trawler wannabe