run a hose when you need to and fill your tanks - life will be easier
and cheaper

On Tue, 16 Sep 2003 09:43:46 -0700, "Steve" wrote:

I realize, under normal harbor conditions, it is not recommended to run your
watermaker inport. Due, I assume, to the probability of contaminated sea
(harbor) water..

However, I have been planning on living aboard my boat at a marina dock over
this winter.. I just realized that they turn off the fresh water to the dock
and all outside faucets in mid Oct/early Nov. until about May. I hate to
consider filling water cans in the head and hauling water all winter..

Yet, I have abundant shore power (pay a flat rate) and a 8 gph watermaker
that needs to be operated periodically. I may be upgrading to 24 gph. Also,
I have a UV sterilizer in the product water line, FWIW.

I'm not a squimish guy and have confidence that there aren't any other boats
dumping sewage at the marina (I will be the only liveaboard). All the other
boats have potta potties.

The marina is located in the pristine waters of Hood Canal, where there are
extreme tidal flows daily. Only during the spring floods of the Skokomish
river, is the water ever cloudy to the point I can't see my prop.

From my cruising of the Puget Sound, this summer, I find I average about 2
gal of water per day. That includes several (boat) showers a week, onboard.
Laundry was done onshore. The marina has no showers and no hot water in the
shore heads.

Thoughts, comments, experiences??

Steve
s/v Good Intentions