Watermaker Myth-Busting: The Facts Behind Common Misconceptions

Spend five minutes on a sailing forum and you’ll meet someone who swears watermakers are loud, power-hungry, and cost as much as a small car. Many of those opinions were true twenty years ago — but technology, efficiency, and design have moved on.
Modern compact reverse-osmosis systems like LEDI’s Scout are changing the game, making self-sufficiency at sea affordable and easy.

Let’s debunk a few of the biggest myths still floating around.

Myth 1: “They take too much power.”

Early desalination units from the 1970s and 80s often ran off petrol or AC motors and needed hundreds of watts just to push water through their inefficient membranes. They were monsters — noisy, hot, and energy-greedy.

Today, a well-designed 12-volt system such as the LEDI Scout draws only 200–250 watts (18–21 amps at 12 V). That’s less than the average autopilot or fridge. With a modest solar array (300–400 W) and lithium battery bank, cruisers can comfortably make 20–25 litres per hour of drinking water directly from sunlight.

Efficient energy recovery pumps and modern RO membranes have slashed power consumption. For many owners, a watermaker isn’t an indulgence — it’s an energy-neutral system that complements their solar setup.

Myth 2: “The water tastes salty.”

A properly operating reverse-osmosis (RO) system removes more than 99 % of dissolved salts and impurities, producing water with a total dissolved solids (TDS) level often lower than bottled water.
If your water tastes salty, something’s wrong — usually a mix-up in plumbing (the brine and product lines swapped) or a system that hasn’t been flushed.

Myth 3: “They’re complicated to maintain.”

Large commercial watermakers can look like an industrial science experiment — pressure gauges everywhere, bundles of hoses, and a manual thicker than a chart book. Compact cruising models, however, are beautifully simple.

The Scout arrives fully assembled and plumbed, ready to bolt down. Maintenance takes minutes: replace inexpensive pre-filters, run a freshwater flush, and inspect fittings occasionally. That’s it.
Modern designs use standard parts available at most chandleries or online, so there’s no waiting for proprietary spares to arrive by courier to some distant island.

For many owners, the Scout’s modular layout doubles as a learning tool — a way to understand and master their own onboard water system without feeling intimidated.

Myth 4: “They can’t handle murky or harbour water.”

RO membranes are delicate, but they’re not fragile. What matters is filtration before the membrane.
The Scout uses a two-stage pre-filter system that removes sediment and fine particles before they ever touch the RO element. In very silty anchorages, cruisers simply install the stainless steel inlet filter over the intake hose.

As long as the source water is running or relatively clear and you set the pressure correctly, the system will handle it. Pre-filters are cheap, easy to change, and designed to protect the expensive parts of the machine. You’ll spend more time swimming than servicing.

Myth 5: “You have to spend $10,000+ for a 12V system that runs on solar.”

This one’s perhaps the most persistent — and the most outdated. High-end brands like Spectra or Cruise RO built their reputation in the luxury yacht market, where systems often cost US $7,000–10,000 and up. Those are excellent machines, but they’re engineered for superyachts with big budgets and big power banks.

LEDI designed the Scout to break that barrier. At less than AUD $6,000 retail, it delivers 20 L/h of production with full solar compatibility, simple DC wiring, and no external compressor or generator.
It’s proof that clean, independent watermaking no longer belongs only to blue-water yachts — coastal cruisers and small liveaboards can now enjoy the same self-sufficiency.

When you add up the cost of jerry cans, marina water fees, and the convenience of staying anchored wherever you like, the investment pays for itself surprisingly fast.

The Bigger Picture: Turning Water into Freedom

A modern 12 V watermaker is more than just a convenience — it’s a shift in mindset. It means you decide where and when to move. You can anchor longer, shower guilt-free, and explore without worrying about tanks running dry.

Cruisers who once rationed water now plan their routes for scenery, not resupply. Couples who relied on 200 litres of tankage can now make that much every week with only solar power. That’s independence measured in litres — and in peace of mind.