WATER MAKER OR NOT TO MAKE WATER? Dec 2016

When we left home aboard Taipan in 2004 we didn't have a water maker. We had a washing machine, albeit a twin tub wash spin arrangement which enables water recycling and therefor uses much less water than a conventional Automatic Machine. We saved the washing day until we were in a marina or within dingy access of a suitable water supply. Our onboard water capacity was 600 litres stored in one tank.

For 2 years we traveled extensively around Australia and were rarely in marinas. We filled the water tank when we topped up the Diesel tanks. This system worked well for us. The boat is our home and we expect to function within it, as much as possible, as we would in a house. Cruising doesn't have to be camping. We don't stint on electricity or water and we expect to enjoy almost the same comfort and convenience as our land locked friends.

In 2006 we decided to go offshore. Our first foreign country was Indonesia. The bad press on the water situation in Asia generally, had us reconsidering our options. A Spectra Newport 400 Automatic water maker was installed and away we went.

Trusty old Twin Tub removed.

Throughout Asia we regularly topped up our friends water tanks from our boat supply. The Spectra was not totally trouble free. We had a major failure of the Clark Pump in 2009. An expensive and heavy part which had to be returned to Spectra Asia for repair. This repair went awry when the agent died. It got very messy because our pump unit went missing in the resultant panic as people grabbed what they thought were their parts from his workshop. We ended up with a very old unit which didn't fit our system. Spectra were excellent. They had a new one on the shelf and gave it to us as a replacement and they instructed another agent in Phuket to supply any parts we needed to get the unit operational. This was done and we were soon making water again.

In 2009 we removed the Twin Tub and installed a 5kg domestic front loading Automatic Washer. We also removed the single 600 litre  water tank and replaced it with 2 tanks of 300 litres each. This has worked very well for us in combination with the water maker since then.

Several times during the past 10 years a feed pump has failed. Spectra acknowledged that this part was not satisfactory for the purpose and made it possible to, for a small fee, return the broken unit and they replaced it with a refurbished one. This system worked well and we were very confident with the machine and with Spectra's service ethics.

Their technicians were always available to talk on the phone and willing to spend what ever time it took to nurse us through any issues we may have had.

And the Automatic is installed.

In recent times the company has been sold. The new service attitude is very different. They have "moved on" and now no longer service and replace the feed pumps. A new improved feed pump is US$1500.

The last pump we sent to a different manufacturer for refurbishment, at Spectra's advice, cost us $590.US It replaced a pump which failed after just 8 months.

There are many water maker systems in the market place now and we know many happy boaters with less complicated and equally if not more efficient units for a lot less initial outlay. We know boaters who have switched from Spectra to other units and are very happy. Sadly, the industry had a great company started by a cruiser who  fully comprehended the necessity for service and was able and willing to expedite the repair of a water maker in even the most remote places.

Our unit is 10 years old. It has made a total of 110,000 litres to date at an approximate cost for repairs and consumables of 6.4c per litre. This accounts for repairs, replacement parts, filters, and an allowance for electricity. The cost of our water would rise to 14c per litre if we allow a reasonable amount for depreciation.

In hindsight a cheaper and smaller capacity machine which ran off solar panels would significantly reduce our costs and still satisfy our water requirements.

WINTERIZING TAIPAN 9th November 2016

Winter is coming John Snow!!!

The big Election of the year is over and now we need to get Taipan to bed. Here in southern Netherlands the salt water is not expected to freeze and we have decided to leave Taipan in a pen in Vlissingen. The storm doors at the entrance to the marina will be closed until April 1st. They prevent the storm surges from entering the marina and moderate the tidal range. The water still flows in under the gates but at a controlled rate. It is much more comfortable aboard now they are closed. 

Storm Doors in Open 

Minimum day time temperatures are getting down to the low single figures and the 220v Electric Ceramic fan heater is going most of the day. We also have a 600W, 110v inverter running a single electric blanket for a few hours at night. This has been my life saver and the current draw is very small and has even gone unnoticed by the in house ampophobic. 

Sentijn, John and Kara Peninngton of the Orca fame.

We said farewell to John and Kara our Orca mates from the US as they are off to haul out and fly back to sort out their country's woes.  The big storm doors had to be opened to allow them to leave in their new boat, Sentijn, a Koopman 42 aluminium cutter. We wish them a safe journey home and look forward to catching up on the water in 2017.
Take a look at the book. In their early 20's, they left home with a big dream and very little experience and ended up circumnavigating in a Cape Dory 30 sailboat  Link to the book. ORCA

Saint Nicholas day was celebrated yesterday with plenty of fanfare, horses, black helpers and lots of excited children.

David and Niels, a local software wiz kid, are endeavouring to connect a diesel fired Land Rover, Thermo Top C Cabin Heater but typically when you start these projects there are bits missing or pieces don't fit so its a lot of one step forward and two steps back. The unit came without a  fuel pump, a controller, exhaust bits or a wiring harness so theres a lot more to do to get it functional than we had predicted. Neils has been writing software and building circuitry to enable the pump to function and to provide on and off facility. The unit has a start up and shut down procedure which is usually built into the vehicles onboard  computer. All the peripherals are available online but knowing which one you need is the tricky bit. This project has ground to a halt because the clock is ticking.

One of the two huge storm surge gates on the marina.

Schengen Rules only allow non EU persons to remain in the EU or in Signatory countries for 90 days in any 180 day period. This is tricky to work out if coming and going from Schengen areas but we do know we have to be out by the 28th of November. Tickets to fly to Perth Australia are booked.

Heating, dehumidifying and anti freezing!

Now  it is time to focus on the antifreeze!

There are an inordinate number of services aboard to protect with antifreeze. It has been quite a revelation to count them up and work out the process. We have 80 litres of antifreeze sitting in drums on the dock. Ethylene glycol is toxic and should only be used in engines or heads and where there is no possibility of it being ingested, and propylene glycol which is not so toxic and is also used in foods such as ice cream and frozen custard. This is for use in the fresh water system and the water-maker. There are all sorts of measurements one can do to ensure the antifreeze level is reached. Below are a couple of graphs.

All the engine and generator oils and filters have to be changed. The thru hulls have to be back filled with antifreeze and the sea cocks closed. Coolant has all been changed because the  main engine was installed in the tropics and we suspect it is not antifreeze. Then the air intakes need to be blocked off, Impellers removed, greased, and the covers left off. 

The air-conditioning unit has to be flushed of its sea water and drained. Next the deck wash system has to be blown clear of water in the pipes and back filled with antifreeze to a closed sea cock... you get the idea?? There's the water-maker... now thats a bit more complicated with pressure side and non pressure side... fresh and salt water ... so now my head is spinning and thats before we start on the fresh water system and the heads, and lets not forget the toilet holding tank. What a disaster if that froze and burst!

So for now its a steep learning curve and the captain is up to his armpits in antifreeze and the cockpit is a war zone!!!

War zone. Not safe to enter.