Which Watermaker Is Right for Your Boat?
Boat type → power supply → crew → model recommendation
Choosing a watermaker is not as simple as matching boat length to litres per hour. Your power system (12V batteries only, or 230V generator?), daily water consumption and cruising style — anchorages vs marina nights — all shape the right choice. This guide walks you through the Seacraft SCW range step by step.
For a deeper look at daily consumption and hourly output, read How to Choose a Watermaker for Your Yacht.
4-Step Selection
- Boat type and size
- Power supply (12V / 230V / 380V)
- Daily water requirement
- Model match
Step 1 — Identify Your Boat Type
| Segment | Typical Length | Recommended Models | Not Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small sailing yacht / tender | 8–15 m | SCW-30, SCW-50 | SCW-500, SCW-1000 |
| Mid-size sailing yacht / catamaran | 15–20 m | SCW-50, SCW-100 | SCW-500, SCW-1000 |
| Motor yacht / gulet | 18–25 m | SCW-100, SCW-150, SCW-350 | SCW-30, SCW-50 |
| Large motor yacht / superyacht | 25 m+ | SCW-350, SCW-500 | SCW-30, SCW-50, SCW-100 |
| Commercial fishing vessel | 25 m+ | SCW-500, SCW-1000 | SCW-30 – SCW-100 |
Step 2 — Check Your Power Supply
SCW-30 & SCW-50
For sailing yachts with battery banks only — no generator required. Can be supported by solar panels. Output: 30–60 L/hour.
SCW-100 – SCW-350
For motor yachts, gulets and large sailing yachts with generator or marina shore power. Higher output, shorter run times. 100–350 L/hour.
SCW-500 & SCW-1000
Commercial vessels and shore-side installations. High power requirement. Output: 500–1000 L/hour.
Practical rule: If your boat runs on 12V batteries only, SCW-100 and above are not practical — running them through an inverter drains batteries quickly. Stick with SCW-30 or SCW-50 on pure 12V systems.
Step 3 — Estimate Daily Water Consumption
Average consumption per person per day on a cruising yacht:
| Use | Litres / person / day |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | 3–5 L |
| Cooking, tea, coffee | 5–10 L |
| Shower (short) | 20–40 L |
| General cleaning | 10–20 L |
Example: A 6-person sailing crew with moderate shower use needs roughly 150–200 L per day. An SCW-50 (50 L/hour) running 3–4 hours covers that. A 12-person gulet on a blue cruise can easily need 400–600 L daily — SCW-150 or SCW-350 is the better fit.
Step 4 — Model Comparison Table
| Model | Output | Power | Best For | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCW-30 | 30 L/hour | 12V DC | Small sailing yacht, small crew | View |
| SCW-50 | 50–60 L/hour | 12V DC | Sailing yacht, catamaran | View |
| SCW-100 | 100 L/hour | 230V / 50Hz | Large sailing yacht, small motor yacht | View |
| SCW-150 | 150 L/hour | 230V / 50Hz | Motor yacht, gulet | View |
| SCW-350 | 350 L/hour | 230V / 50Hz | Large motor yacht, superyacht, large gulet | View |
| SCW-500 | 500 L/hour | 380V / 50Hz | Commercial vessel, 30–40 m motor yacht | View |
| SCW-1000 | 1000 L/hour | 380V / 50Hz | Large commercial vessel, fishing fleet | View |
Seacraft Watermakers provides on-site installation and technical service across Turkey. Our team comes directly to your boat — no need to move to another port.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Personal Model Recommendation
Free technical consultation — on-site installation across Turkey
Book an Appointment Call: +90 252 412 90 78