Watermaker Install

[Cliff Deinert]

As we are refurbishing our recently purchased 31 TE, we have elected to install a watermaker...as we plan to do some modestly extended cruising in New England waters. The brand is FCI (Modular) A516S producing 21 gal/hr. Does anyone have experience / suggestions where to mount this unit on a 31? It's footprint is 32 long x 21 deep x 17 high. A big requirement is easy access to the unit to change filters.

[Donya]

I use a Katadyn 160 on my 28 TE very small foot print, works well.

[Cliff Deinert]

Further to my post of 4/18, I have had the watermaker installed by Ted Hood's boat refit yard in Portsmouth, RI. Figured the best location was to take part of the stern fish lockers as I did not want to crawling around in the bilge replacing filters, etc. So, anyone interested can see the photo's attached, ie the modular unit and the supporting pump (it's in the bilge, but accessible). This is not a cheap exercise...you really must want to have unlimited fresh water (makes 22 gal/hr) and be prepared to pay for it. The hardware was around $7K & installation (not yet billed) is probably going to be $2 - $3K...say $10K as a rough total, maybe a little more.