Deck fills by the scupper drains

Before we left for the Bahamas, we decided $4,000+ for a watermaker (desalinator) was out of our budget especially since we had to replace our roller furler.  Catching water is just a matter of putting the maximum surface area to the task.  Where do you get the most surface area?  Use the entire deck!  Most boats drain to a handful of scupper drains.  If you clog the scupper drains with a hand towel when it rains, the water will pool on the deck.  Most folks will choose to wait a few minutes (5 minutes or less) into the downpour before doing this to wash off the salt on the decks.  Then, they plug the drains with a small towel or sponge.  If you have deck fills right next to the scupper drains, then all the rain water will flow into your tank.

We installed a 30 gallon catchment tank in addition to our 70 gallon primary tank in case of any contamination.  Nevertheless, some treatment with bleach and/or a high quality activated carbon filter before the drinking water tap should make the water good tasting and safe to drink.

When we were in the Bahamas, it hardly rained.  What a tragedy!  :) Thus we did not really get to use the water catchment system much.  Nevertheless, depending on the location and the season, water catchment could save a lot of money and time on the cruise of your dreams.

40% off Slow Boat to the Bahamas

The eBook version of the number one wished for Bahamas travel guide is 40% off.  Pick up a copy for $5.99 at Amazon.

To join the adventure, move towards the cruise of your dreams, and help out the Slow Boat crew and other sailors dreaming of turquoise waters in paradise:

Buy the book at Amazon.

Save $15 off you next purchase online of $200 at West Marine by clicking the orange coupon at the bottom of the linked page.

Try a free sample of the book.

If you have read it already, let other sailors know what you thought of it at Amazon or Goodreads.

Filed under: Uncategorized