Watermakers are the most unreliable gear you will find on a cruising yacht. The electronics, solenoid valves, sensors, pumps, and filters make for a complex mix. They also tend to make a mess of other gear if they leak. On the other hand, we, and our clients love abundant fresh water. It is a conundrum, our answer to which is as follows:

• Use the highest quality gear available.
• Install oversize filters.
• Try and position watermaker plumbing and pumps to minimize the impact on other gear from leaks (not always possible).
• Assume filters will leak when changed and install accordingly.
• Make provision for jury rigging when automatic systems fail (they will).
• Have enough fresh water capacity with internal tanks so that loss of the watermaker or its power source does not require significant changes in cruising goals.
• Fit a salinity tester override switch for use when the salinity tester fails (it will!).
• Carry lots of spares.

Towards these goals, the watermaker on the FPB64 is installed clear of other gear. The electric motor on the high pressure pump is partially protected from drips by the structural topside stiffener above. Filters are clear of other equipment. And finally, the control box is hinged to facilitate access to its inner workings.

A last detail is shown with the valve in this photo. We are preplumbed for pickling and/or cleaning the membranes.