Peace of mind, fresh, and safe drinking water. Unlimited supply of fresh drinking water around the world. With a Spectra, run your watermaker on renewable energy. On a yacht, keep stainless from pitting and corroding with fresh water washdowns. At Spectra Watermakers, we create products that make life simple and easy, and we believe in saving you time and power. With the push of a button you can have fresh water for drinking, cooking, showering, laundry, and if you’re on a yacht, fresh water wash downs. The Spectra brand is synonymous with innovation in desalination technology, and our unique hydraulic pumps mean your watermaker will be quieter and more energy efficient than anything else on the market. Our 20 years of experience has led us to build a trained worldwide service network, so that you’ll have customer support around the globe.

Hydraulically driven pump is quiet and extremely energy-efficient. Run on solar power, wind power, inverter, or batteries; no generator necessary. Spectra has spent years developing our patented high pressure intensifier pump technology with integrated energy recovery that allows us to create the high pressure required for RO based desalination, using a low pressure pump that will operate off your boat’s 12 volt battery. Our unique technology allows us to produce pure water using less than half the energy required by conventional RO systems, which means our systems can work off standard 12v DC solar or wind driven power systems. Because the pump is hydraulically driven, it’s quiet with minimal vibration. After 30 years in the Marine Industry and over 20,000 systems sold we understand the onboard environment, so we engineer our equipment to be robust, efficient and reliable. We offer unmatched after-sales support.

Spectra Watermakers are absolutely the quietest watermakers available. Despite the marketing hype from our competitors to the contrary, conventional watermakers are intrusively noisy. Have you ever heard a pressure washer drone on? Spectra Watermaker’s systems are truly quiet because the Clark Pump is hydraulically driven, it has slow moving, quiet parts that cause very minimal vibration. Compare the cycle rate of Spectra’s Clark Pump at 4 - 8 cycles per minute, compared to the high pressure pumps used by our competitors at 1,800 - 3,600 revolutions per minute. Conventional watermakers can operate anywhere from 78 - 85+ decibels, while Spectra’s systems are typically a full 10 db or more lower!

Flush your system with freshwater after every use. We have customers still using the first units we built back in 1998 because they flush their systems properly. Spectra Watermakers are constructed of modern composites and engineered plastics to deliver many years of quiet, reliable service. Since the Clark Pump is hydraulically driven, it has slow moving parts that do not wear easily. You can ensure your watermaker lasts many years by regularly changing your prefilters and flushing it as recommended.

A filtration process that removes dissolved ions like salt from water by forcing water molecules through a membrane under high pressure. In the case of seawater desalination, high pressure is required to force individual water molecules through the Reverse Osmosis (RO) membrane while flushing salts, minerals, viruses, bacteria or and other contaminants overboard. Using seawater or contaminated brackish feed sources, a properly designed RO system can provide pure, safe and great tasting water.

In a conventional watermaker, a high pressure pump similar to a pressure washer, boosts the incoming raw water pressure up to 800-1000 PSI (55 - 69 Bar). Large pumps use brute force to hammer seawater against a back-pressure valve in order to generate this pressure. Only a small percentage of the water pumped through a watermaker passes through the membranes and comes out as fresh drinking water. The result is that a significant amount of energy is wasted pumping the entire quantity of raw water to such a high pressure. When seawater exits the membranes in a watermaker, that water is still under pressure, up to 1000 PSI (69 Bar). Spectra’s unique energy recovery device transfers the energy normally wasted in conventional systems at the membrane exit, and passes it to the incoming raw water, dramatically lowering the power required to operate the system. All of Spectra’s watermakers use a similar energy recovery technology; the high pressure waste stream from the membranes is channeled to the underside of the pump piston, allowing them to recover 90% of the available energy. All Spectra Watermakers adjust automatically to changes in water temperature and salinity as part of the hydraulic design, so there is no need to rely on complex electronics or make manual adjustments in different climates, bays, rivers, or oceans.

Our unique pressure amplifiers capture the high pressure from the brine waste stream that would normally be vented to atmosphere to help pressurize the seawater entering the system. The Clark Pump and Pearson pump are two of Spectra’s unique technologies. The Clark Pump is a pressure amplifier with built in energy recovery and the Pearson Pump is a piston pump with built in energy recovery. The beauty of these technologies is in the simplicity of their design; by recycling the high pressure brine waste stream to help pressurize the seawater coming into the system, this allows our systems to use a low pressure feed pump in order to generate the 600 -1000psi (45 – 69Bar) required inside the membrane to separate pure water from seawater. Even better, these watermakers use so little power they can run off solar, wind, an inverter, or batteries, and are almost silent.

Yes, desalinated water is safe to drink. Reverse osmosis desalination is a process that uses a membrane to purify seawater or contaminated and undrinkable water sources by removing the dissolved salts and harmful content. The seawater membranes used in desalination systems remove salt, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and cysts from the raw water, producing fresh, potable water. The seawater membranes used in Spectra’s watermakers remove 99.5% of all of the total dissolved solids from the feed water source.  This means that after running seawater through your Spectra watermaker, the purified product water is as good, or better than bottled water!

Yes, Spectra Watermakers were built to run on solar and wind power! Our watermakers are designed to run on 12 or 24vdc batteries, without a generator running. We build a full line of DC watermakers ranging from 1.5 to 120 gallons per hour (24.6 to 1590 liters per hour) of fresh, potable water. All equipment is designed to avoid high start-up loads with soft start technology, energy recovery to reduce the operating power required, and automated controls to make operation as efficient and as simple as pushing a button.

Our AC powered systems are built using a soft-start motor speed controller so the starting loads are very low; this means that most inverters are more than capable of starting and operating your AC watermaker without ever turning on the generator. The starting load will not exceed the normal running load.

Not at all! Most of our watermakers are designed to run on 12 or 24v, without a generator running. Our watermakers are designed to run on 12 or 24v DC batteries without a generator running, or even off an appropriately sized inverter and battery bank. We build a full line of DC watermakers ranging from 1.5 to 120 gallons per hour (24.6 to 1590 liters per hour) of fresh, potable water. Our inverter-ready AC line of watermaker can all operate whisper quiet without a generator as well. All equipment is designed to avoid high start-up loads with soft start technology, energy recovery to reduce the operating power required, and automated controls to make operation as efficient and as simple as pushing a button.

Yes, we do! Our AC watermakers are specifically engineered to reduce starting loads on your generators eliminating the need to stagger the loads on your generator during system startup. Our motor speed control systems are programmed so that if you don’t want to operate your generator, you can still fill your tanks with water while sitting quietly at anchor. In most cases our AC watermakers have a significantly smaller footprint than their conventional counterparts, which means you will have even more space for storage!

All Spectra Connect systems running firmware v3.1.2 or later are compatible with most Garmin, Raymarine, & Simrad-Navico MFD's. Contact your local dealer to arrange a service call for a firmware upgrade.

In most cases you can make water while underway as long as you have a forward facing scoop on your thru hull. The forward facing scoop will take your boat’s forward motion and “push” water up through the watermaker intake and into the system, allowing you to fill your tanks as you cruise along. Planing boats, high speed racing monohulls and multihulls should all use caution when operating their systems underway. The high velocity of the water rushing past the hull can create a vacuum and cause accelerated wear on the pumps. Check with your local installer if you have concerns about your application, and conduct a sea trial during system commissioning.

Yes! Spectra Watermakers work well in warm water. The power consumption may even be lower than normal. All of our systems are designed to be inherently self-balancing, so at the water temperature rises, there is no need to make any adjustments to your watermaker at all. Just start the system up and enjoy the water at its full rated capacity.

Yes! Spectra Watermakers will work in cold water. Spectra Watermakers are rated to work in near freezing water. The one exception is the Ventura 200T which is rated at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Many customers have used our watermakers in arctic waters with much satisfaction. You can read about S/V Kotik in Antarctica on our blog. All of our systems are designed to be inherently self-balancing, so at the water temperature drops, there is no need to make any adjustments to your watermaker at all. Just start the system up and enjoy the water at its full rated capacity.

Silt can damage the pumps and membranes. Harbors and inland waterways tend to have much siltier, cloudier water than offshore.  That cloudiness is the result of suspended solids, stirred up from the ocean floor, runoff from nearby homes, nitrates from fertilizers, algae blooms, and other large particulates that can plug up filters and work their way into your system.  The large particles can damage feed pumps, score the pistons and cylinders of the high pressure pumps, damage valves, or even foul your membrane. Your watermaker will last longer between maintenance intervals if you only operate your system when you are a few miles offshore, than if you try to operate it in a harbor or inland waterway.

Installation is flexible—lockers, under the cabin sole, or nearly anywhere with sufficient space. Remember to plan for future serviceability. Consult the manual of your system for details, as certain systems have specific requirements relative to the waterline, ambient temperature, etc.

A dry, well-ventilated area below 113 deg F. Easy access to pumps and controls and a dedicated thru hull. The system should be installed in a dry location with good ventilation and easy access to change the cartridge filters.  Access to the pumps and Spectra Connect control system (if applicable) should be considered prior to installation.  The intake thru hull must be installed in a location that will not be exposed to the air in heavy weather, behind stabilizer fins, or directly behind the keel.  Never share a thru hull with other equipment or permanent damage will occur. The maximum ambient temperature for the membrane is 113 deg F (44 deg C), so it is not recommended that you install the membrane and pressure vessel in the engine room if it can be avoided.  If a system is equipped with boost pumps, they must be installed below the waterline.  In general keeping all pumps as low in the boat as possible, with short hose runs, will reduce the wear and tear on your system.

Refer to the owner's manual or seek dealer assistance for first-time setup. Never pressurize the system with storage chemicals present.

Spectra recommends flushing your watermaker after every use. Why? Seawater contains two things that can shorten the life of any RO membrane; minerals and living organisms. If seawater is allowed to remain in contact with the membrane, minerals will begin to adhere to the surface; a fresh water flush will actually dissolve many minerals and stops this from happening. Seawater is also full of microscopic life and as the oxygen is consumed when the system stops, these organisms begin to die and decay. This decay causes biofouling which smells bad and will also lead to low-oxygen corrosion that will attack the stainless steel components critical to the function of any watermaker. Fresh water flushing virtually eliminates all these problems.

Proper maintenance will ensure your membrane lasts 5-10 years. The life a membrane is directly dependent on how well it is cared for, which is why our many of our systems include automatic fresh water flushing. Keeping the membrane clean and stored in fresh water during voyages can add years to the service life of any membrane. Proper long term storage, or pickling, is also important for longevity. A well maintained reverse osmosis membrane can easily last 5 to 6 years, we have some customers with membranes that are well over 10 years old.

This depends on where you are making water. We recommend making water in the ocean where the water is fresher and cleaner as filters can last for months in these conditions. If you’re making water where there is algae, silt, plankton or other particulates, your filters may need to be changed more often.

Winterizing a watermaker involves flushing the system with freshwater to start with a clean canvas, before circulating SC-1 or Propylene Glycol. Consult the owner's manual of your system for specific instructions.

Make sure your feed pump is properly installed, check regularly for vacuum leaks, do not allow air to enter your thru hull, and fresh water flush your system after every use. The feed pump is the workhorse behind your watermaker, and taking care of it will ensure a long lasting watermaker with few replacements and lots of good quality fresh water in your tanks. Most pump problems come from improper installations. Make sure the feed pump is mounted as low as possible in your boat and as near to the thru hull is your space will allow. If your system uses booster pumps, they must be installed below the waterline, and as near to the thru hull as possible. Check the intake hoses regularly for vacuum leaks, or signs that the pump is sucking air. Do not operate your system in heavy weather if there is a chance that the thru hull will lift clear out of the water, or if there is significant aeration of the ocean due to wave activity. Flushing your watermaker with fresh water after each use will dramatically reduce corrosion problems with stainless steel pump heads, and also keep the membrane free from biofouling, which will also help extend the pump life.

Due to the engineering plastics used in Spectra’s watermakers, we strongly recommend that you only use Spectra storage chemicals (SC-1) or a good quality brand of Propylene Glycol with no Ethyl Alcohol added.  Using storage solutions from competing manufacturers, such as Sodium Metabisulfite, will permanently damage the membrane end plugs and the Clark Pump. Never use any chemicals with the system pressurized. Always open the pressure relief valve 1/2 turn. Always follow the instructions for purging the chemicals as shown in the New System Startup section of your manual.

Washing the prefilters opens up the pores on the surface of the filter.  These pores are specifically sized to capture particles as small as 5 microns.  When the pores are opened up through washing, this allows larger particles through the filters, and can damage the pumps, valves, and membranes.

As your system ages it is natural that certain parts wear over time.  The issue of low product water quality is typically an issue with a worn feed pump head, or that it is time to rebuild the Clark Pump.  Low production is not typically a problem with the membranes on Spectra Watermakers.  We recommend that you keep a log so that you can see that the feed pressure has dropped, or the salinity has increased.  There are technical bulletins in the manual that will help you understand what is happening, and walk you through tests that can be performed to identify the cause of the low production.

Yes, if making water in harbors or polluted areas. Oil in feed water can permanently damage membranes.

Not required but may be used for extra protection. Many users install UV at the faucet instead of the watermaker output, since this protects from anything that may have contaminated the freshwater tanks.

Spectra has a large network of dealers worldwide in major cruising ports, many with factory-trained representatives, who stock parts or can ship them to you.

Recommended spares include filters, a spare feed pump head, and a seal & O-ring kit. Check the "suggested spares" section in your owner's manual for system specific parts.

General recommendation: 5-20 gallons per person per day. Factors include crew size, travel plans, and climate. The simple answer is “bigger than you think”. Most of our customers find that the ease of use, the quietness, and the convenience of our systems gives them the security to drink more water, take more showers, wash their decks down with fresh water instead of salt; all in all, they consume a lot more water than they ever dreamed they would have. The most common mistake when purchasing a watermaker is to underestimate your needs, so our best advice is to be realistic with how much water you will use, and when in doubt buy a larger capacity system. Remember, watermakers are rated by how much water they will produce in 24 hours of operation. Typically customers will only operate their watermakers for 3 - 4 hours at a time, or 12 hours per day maximum.