Water Water everywhere and thank Goodness we have a water maker! I continue to ask Colin if he thinks we chose the right one.... is it better to have a slower one that uses less amps per gallon, or a fast one that fills the tank fast but chugs energy? We have a Spectra Ventura 150 which makes 6-7 gallons / hour using a little over an amp a gallon. We chose it for that number (amps/gallon) because we can run it on a sunny day and the solar panels can keep up with it. But the main thing is we have water when we need it. We actually swapped out a larger water tank for two smaller ones. This allowed us to increase our sewage tank (longer stays at anchor or in marinas before needing to dump). The dual tank system not only allowed the other tank to increase, but also gives us a way to separate the stowed water in case one tank gets compromised (damage, salt water, accidental emptying, etc). We can make water under way or while at anchor (just as long as the water is clean and fairly deep). I love it! Not just so I can take showers more often and REALLY wash my hair well, but Colin doesn't have to lug water from shore (unless he feels like it, which he does sometimes). Plus we know the quality of the water and don't have to trust the word around town.

We still carry a few extra jugs of water onboard for "just in case" AND we catch water off our bimini when it rains/squalls. These clouds can drop a tremendous amount of water in a short time, so after all the salt, flying fish guts, and bird droppings have been rinsed away, we throw out a couple of buckets (one for each side) and catch water that can be used for laundry, showers, boat cleaning etc. Not sure I would drink it unless it was a real emergency, but with a drop of bleach I am sure it would be fine. We are all about redundancy. Belts and suspenders is our motto!

One tank is empty, so as they say "make hay ( no!- water) while the sun shines!". I think I will go sneak in a shower and let the water maker run a wee bit longer.