Out of Water Aboard Our Sailboat! | Sailing Zephyr - Ep. 246

Out of Water Aboard Our Sailboat! | Sailing Zephyr – Ep. 246

Welcome aboard our floating home, the Zephyr. Over the past five years, we’ve been on an incredible journey sailing around the world, accompanied by our two trusty dog crew members, Flint and Kira. Join us every Friday for a new video documenting our adventures.

Sailboat Water Maker Repair

Our water maker is an essential system aboard Zephyr, allowing us to produce fresh water while cruising. However, our water maker recently stopped working, and we suspected the feed pump might be the culprit. In this video episode, we share detailed instructions on replacing key parts of our water making system, including the feed pump, pressure sensor, and strainer.

Having used our Spectra Ventura 150 water maker since Zephyr’s early days, it was disheartening to face issues after more than a decade of reliable service. Fortunately, the problem turned out to be relatively easy to diagnose and fix – an encouraging reminder that even essential marine equipment can be easily repaired when you have the right parts and know-how.

The Issue with Our Water Maker

As our sailboat’s water maker abruptly stopped working, we immediately suspected issues with the feed pump. Upon further examination, we also realized that a pressure sensor replacement was necessary to optimize performance. Additionally, changing the sea water intake strainer would ensure that clean water continues flowing smoothly to the vital equipment.

Water Maker Parts and Costs

The key parts ordered from the U.S. included a new feed pump, pressure sensor, and sea water intake strainer – all expensive but crucial components in maintaining our water-making system. With our marine knowledge and expertise, we were determined to fix the problem ourselves.

Sailboat Grocery Shopping Challenges

While onshore at Marsh Harbor’s Maxwell supermarket, we encountered surprisingly high prices for everyday items – even fresh produce like avocados and kiwis. A gallon of whole milk cost us $730, highlighting the additional expenses incurred in the remote areas we often find ourselves.

Step-by-Step Repair Process

To tackle the water maker repair, we first emptied the starboard locker where the equipment is housed. Inside, we found various spares, including a 45 lb Delta anchor and a large fortress that has saved us numerous times during our global sailing adventure. Removing everything, we had full access to perform the necessary repairs.

In detail, the process involved:

• Removing the cooling fan from the old feed pump,
• Disconnecting and removing the faulty feed pump itself,
• Installing a new, high-quality feed pump,
• Connecting all electrical connections with waterproof heat-shrink wraps,
• Mounting the new feed pump correctly, aligning it perfectly to fit in place,
• Installing a new pressure sensor and connecting it properly,
• Replacing the sea water intake strainer for clean, unobstructed flow,
• Bleeding the system of air during testing phases.

The process took considerable time but allowed us to diagnose and solve the issue without professional help or incurring heavy repair costs. We believe it’s important that sailors have knowledge of how their marine equipment works, allowing them to perform necessary maintenance themselves when appropriate.

Water Maker Testing

To ensure the newly installed parts worked as expected, we carried out rigorous testing. It involved a freshwater flush, closely monitoring for leaks while gradually increasing pressure until everything clicked into place, including the main Clark pump, and producing clean drinking water.

We were ecstatic to see our hard work pay off when Zephyr’s water maker finally began operating once more. Despite facing some unexpected expenses and challenges in this episode of sailing life, we proved that determination, skill, and knowledge can conquer any issue at sea!