We’ve been working on our water maker installation this past week. Really, it shouldn’t be that hard. Just find a place, no more than three feet above sea level. But close to the lowest section of the boat. Also with easy access so that “if it breaks and begins to leak we can get to it to stop it”. Easy until you realize that this special spot is the exact same spot everything else needs to be.
So you begin crawling around, through, over, and under. Exploring every inch of your boat. Then when you find a spot you think might work you start to imagine climbing, crawling, moving about in every day life, rough seas, in an emergency. Darn…that spot wont work.
After many attempts of finding the right spot. We decided it was time to just go for it. Here is the moment Sam regretted his decision of buying a small boat.
Well, he has other moments like when he was crawling through the cockpit lockers to get to the bilge hose, or when he was upside down in the chain locker. But, I do need to say. He is 6 foot and is still fitting in these small spaces. He is directly behind the galley, directly under the front half of the cockpit, and had to shimmy over the bed. Once feet first and then out and back in head first. When he was done he felt like he couldn’t unfold him self.
We decided on the Spectra Ventura 150. Completely modular for easy of installation. We put the main pump far in the back of that hole Sam is stuffed in. Bolted it to the shelf after we raised it 2 inches. We discussed if 2 inches where worth it and I mentioned that 2 inches in this space seems to mean 2 feet. Just a little bit of adjustment opens up usable space. So now it becomes worth it to move such miniscule amounts.
After bolting that piece down we worked on the filters and found a pretty convenient spot for them. Unfortunately they need a lot of space to change out filters and do regular maintenance. As I said before 2 inches can seem like 2 feet. But, we have a nice little spot to the side of the stairs that it fits with out taking up valuable space. Doesn’t allow anything to bump up against it either. You can even sit on the bed across from it to change out the filters.
We have concord the challenge of tight spaces this time. Now on to the next.