Watermaker aka Desalination
A watermaker has not been selected. A watermaker will likely be installed after initial launch and might be installed in Florida where product and professional installation is more readily available.
Spectra and Schenker are the top contenders. Both are expensive. Sea Water Pro cannot be ruled out. Controls are basis but cost is less than half for a higher capacity unit, a third of the price of a unit of comparable capacity. The Sea Water Pro are much less efficient.
Katadyn and Spectra
| Series | GPH | W | G/kWh | tube |
| Ventura 150 | 6.3 | 108 | 58 | 1 20" |
| Ventura 200 | 8.3 | 120 | 69 | 1 20" |
| Catalina 340 | 14 | 240 | 58 | 2 20" or 1 40" |
| Cape Horn 330 | 15 | 240 | 62½ | 2 20" or 1 40" |
| Newport 400 | 17 | 312 | 54½ | 2 20" or 1 40" |
| Newport 700 | 29 | 576 | 50 | 2 40" |
| Newport 1000 | 41 | 672 | 61 | 3 40" |
Katadyn and Spectra are both made by Katadyn Group based in Switzerland. The Katadyn 40E is known for it's compact size and low cost. It produces 1.5 GPH and consumes 4A at 12V. There is a 24V version but it is less efficient consuming 3A. At 48W the output is 31¼ G/kWh; at 72W output is under 21 G/kWh. The costs is $4,380 in 2025.
There are numerous Spectra watermakers. There are two tube sizes (membranes), a 20" by 2½" short tube and a 40" by 2½" long tube. The lines of smaller watermakers are named Ventura, Catalina, and Newport. All three come in 12V and 24V versions and come in analog control or fully automated versions. The Catalina comes in a 48V version as well as 12V and 24V versions. The larger Newports (700 and 1000) come in 24V, 48V and AC. The AC versions are less efficient. The Cape Horn lines are similar to Catalina but analog only and designed for durability. The Bimini line is designed for powerboat (ignition protected). The Faralon line are intended for marine or municipal use and come in 75 and 120 GPH versions. The others are summarized in the following table.
The Ventura 200 is the most efficient and a reasonable size for a 36’ boat. The Ventura 200T and Ventura 200RT are analog watermakers. The Ventura 200RT allows controls to be mounted remotely. The Ventura 200c is fully automated and can be controlled by a remote panel or a chartplotter (aka MFD). The automated version costs about 40% more than the RT ($9,200 vs $12,800 in 2025).
Schenker
| Series | GPH | W | G/kWh | tube |
| Zen 30 | 7.9 | 110 | 72 | 1 21" |
| Zen 50 | 13.2 | 240 | 55 | 2 21" |
| Zen 100 | 26.4 | 400 | 66 | 2 21"x4" |
| Zen 150 | 39.6 | 600 | 66 | 2 21"x4" |
| Smart 30 | 7.9 | 110 | 72 | 1 21" |
| Smart 60 | 15.8 | 240 | 66 | 1 40" |
| Smart 80 | 21 | 380 | 55 | 2 40" |
| Smart 100 | 26.4 | 400 | 66 | 1 40"x4" |
| Modular 35 | 9 | 100 | 90 | 2 21" |
| Modular 60 | 15.8 | 240 | 66 | 3 21" |
| Modular 100 | 26.4 | 400 | 66 | 2 21"x4" |
| Modular 150 | 39.6 | 600 | 66 | 1 40"x4" |
Schenker is based in Italy. Their products are available in the US. They make very efficient watermakers. Their high pressure pump and membranes are packages in a single enclosure much like the Spectra but designed to fit into tight places. All of the units under 61 GPH are available in 12V and 24V, except Modular 150 which is 24V or AC. All units are digitally controlled and come with either a basic control panel with ON/OFF and flush buttons and a touch screen model. Prices at US resellers vary considerably but seem to be less than Spectra at the more reasonably priced resellers. Below are a sampling of models under 40 GPH.
The Modular 35 is the most efficient and is more efficient and priced less than the Spectra 200c, the automated version. The Zen 30 is also very efficient and with a slightly lower cost.
SeaWater Pro Watermakers
| Series | GPH | W | G/kWh | tube |
| Single Membrane | 17 | 600 | 26 | 1 40" |
| Dual Membrane | 40 | 900 | 42 | 2 20" |
SeaWater Pro Watermakers are made in the USA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They make 12V, 24V and AC watermakers. The AC versions are slightly less efficient. All are analog control with no electronics except the PM brushless DC boost pump motor controllers. The two DC models produce 17 GPH and 40 GPH. The 17 GPH version comes in 12V or 24V and the 40 GPH version comes in 24V only. A boost pump is used along with two filters, 20 micron and 5 micron and a carbon filter is provided for the pressurized flush water, The membrane should be mounted within 6’ of the control panel and within 6’ of the high pressure pump, though longer high pressure hoses are available, up to 20’. The low pressure hose is 20’ long. The boost pump must be placed below the waterline.
These watermakers are less efficient but simpler and much lower cost than the Spectra. With a stainless steel pump the cost is $3,995 plus $500 for the remote control panel, plus $500 for the second membrane.
ECHOTec
ECHOTec makes watermakers similar to SeaWater Pro but cost more and seem less robust.