Too Small for a Watermaker? How Modular Designs Solve the "No Space" Problem
- Jan 30
- 3 min read
For many owners of 30 to 45-foot sailboats and cruisers, the dream of unlimited freshwater often hits a hard reality: lack of space. Most marine catalogs feature glossy photos of pristine, walk-in engine rooms where a large, box-style watermaker fits perfectly.
But in the real world, engine compartments are tight, bilges are shallow, and lockers are oddly shaped. If you have been told your vessel is "too small" for a high-output system, it is time to rethink the approach. You don't need a bigger boat; you just need a modular watermaker.
Breaking Out of the Box
Traditional marine watermakers often come enclosed in a rigid frame or metal box. While this looks neat, it demands a large, contiguous block of empty space—something rare on a compact cruiser.
The Pure Ocean Marine MM Series solves this by breaking the system down into its individual components. Instead of finding one large space, you play "installation Tetris," utilizing the wasted nooks and crannies of your boat:
The High-Pressure Pump: Mount it low in the engine bay or a sound-insulated compartment.
The Control Panel: Install it at the nav station or near the galley for easy access.
The Membranes: Tuck them under a settee, along a hull stringer, or at the back of a storage locker.
By separating the heavy machinery from the controls, a small boat watermaker setup becomes possible on vessels that could never fit an enclosed unit.
The "Short Locker" Problem: Solved
One of the biggest hurdles in watermaker installation is the reverse osmosis membrane itself. A standard 80L/h system typically uses a single SW2540 membrane, which is roughly 40 inches (1 meter) long. On many vintage sailboats or compact modern cruisers, finding a straight, accessible 1-meter run is impossible.
This is where the MM80 Modular Watermaker (Split Version) shines. Instead of one long membrane, we configure the system with two shorter SW2521 membranes piped in series.
This cuts the required length in half. Suddenly, that short locker under the V-berth or the small gap behind the water tank becomes usable space. You get the same high-capacity freshwater production without needing to cut holes in bulkheads to fit a giant tube.
Silence by Design
A hidden benefit of the modular approach is noise control. In an enclosed "box" unit, the vibration of the high-pressure pump can transfer to the frame and then to the hull, amplifying the sound throughout the boat.
With a modular boat watermaker, you have the freedom to mount the high-pressure pump—the noisiest component—far away from sleeping quarters. You can mount it on vibration-absorbing rubber feet in the engine bay, while the silent membrane vessel sits under your bunk. This flexibility ensures that your reverse osmosis watermaker is heard less and enjoyed more.
Easier Maintenance
Finally, modularity aids in long-term watermaker maintenance. Enclosed units are often tightly packed, making it difficult to reach the back of the pump or change a filter without uninstalling the whole machine.
With the MM Series, you install the pre-filters and service points in the most accessible spot you have. Need to change a filter? It’s right there at eye level. This accessibility encourages better care, ensuring your system lasts longer.
Conclusion
Don't let a small engine room dictate your cruising comfort. By utilizing the flexible, split-component design of the MM Series, you can fit a robust, high-output system into almost any vessel.
Whether you choose the compact MM80 Modular Watermaker or a larger capacity unit, the result is the same: the independence to sail further, regardless of your boat's size.