One of the biggest milestones in prepping SVRO for extended cruising was installing our new CruiseRO 30 Gallon Per Hour (GPH) watermaker. If you’re planning long passages or living aboard full-time, reliable fresh water production is a game-changer — and we couldn’t be happier with how this system came together.
Here’s how we tackled the installation, along with some lessons learned that might save you time, frustration, and a few bruised knuckles.
We looked at several watermakers, but CruiseRO stood out for a few key reasons:
High Output: 30 gallons per hour means we can top off our tanks in just a couple of hours rather than running the system all day.
Energy Options: It runs off our Honda generator, saving our battery bank for other essentials. But we can also run it off the battery bank or we can run it when we have to motor when there’s no wind.
Simple Design: Fewer proprietary parts and off-the-shelf filters make maintenance manageable.
Great Support: The CruiseRO team offers excellent customer service and detailed installation support.
Before ordering, we mapped out the available space. The CruiseRO system is modular, which helps on most boats, but you’ll still need room for:
High-pressure pump
Reverse osmosis membranes (ours came with dual membranes)
Pre-filters and boost pump
Plumbing runs
Control panel
We decided to install everything under the port settee, with control panel mounted on the side of a locker near a forward bulkhead. We added sound deadening insulation to the entire settee area before installing any of the components.
Before making a single cut or hole, we staged all components to check clearances, access points, and hose routing.
Our system pulls seawater through an existing intake to minimize extra through-hulls. We installed:
Raw water feed with a dedicated strainer
Brine discharge above the waterline
Product water line to our tanks, with a diverter valve for testing
Hose runs were secured with double clamps, and we used reinforced hose for all pressure lines.
The high-pressure pump requires 120V AC. We ran marine-grade wiring, breaker protection, and mounted the control panel in a locker near the intake through-hull.
Note: This system draws serious amperage — plan your generator runtime and power budget accordingly.
We didn’t commission the system until we were in San Francisco. After triple-checking all connections we:
Ran freshwater flush to test for leaks
Monitored pressure gauges carefully
Took the first batch of product water and tested salinity with a handheld TDS meter (under 500 ppm is potable, ours came in under 200!)
Have Spare Filters: Stock up on sediment and carbon filters; they clog faster in silty anchorages.
Label Everything: Color-code or label hoses for future maintenance ease.
Noise Considerations: The high-pressure pump is loud. Soundproofing the engine space helped.
Maintenance Matters: Flush the system with freshwater regularly, especially if not running the watermaker for several days.
Since completing the install, we’ve cruised for weeks without worrying about finding a dock or lugging jerry cans ashore. Showers, laundry, dishes — all with the confidence of knowing we can make water whenever needed.
If you’re outfitting your boat for serious cruising, the CruiseRO 30 GPH watermaker is well worth considering. The install is approachable for handy sailors, and the payoff in comfort and self-sufficiency is huge.