Most owners don't drink their tank water, and they're usually right not to. Water taken on in a Mediterranean marina is only as good as the dock hose it came through. It then sits in a tank, in a warm engine space, sometimes for weeks.
The result is familiar to anyone who has owned a boat for long; a strange taste, a smell in the shower, and cases of bottled water taking up locker space that could be used for something better. It's a solvable problem, and the solution is usually smaller and cheaper than owners assume.
Filtration removes things you can taste, smell and see. Sediment, rust, silt, chlorine, odour and the particulates picked up from dock hoses and tank sediment. It's what turns undrinkable tank water into water you're happy to make coffee with.
Purification removes things you can't. Bacteria, viruses and pathogens. Filtration will not reliably deal with these; a filter that removes taste does nothing to a virus.
For most yachts, the answer is both. Filtration handles the day-to-day quality of everything coming out of the taps. Purification makes the drinking water genuinely safe, which matters most when you're taking on water somewhere you don't know.
We supply the complete rang of market leading water filtration systems by Halyard - a British Manufacturer with a long history in marine water and exhaust systems.
Multi-stage filtration, removing sediment, particulates, chlorine, taste and odour
Systems sized for whole-boat supply or point-of-use at the galley tap
Compact installations designed for marine spaces
Replaceable cartridges with straightforward servicing intervals
Suited to both new installations and retrofit into existing plumbing
Best for: improving the quality of everything coming out of the taps - drinking, cooking, showering and washing.
Safe, clean water from an easy-to-install purification system. UVC LED technology eliminates bacteria and viruses, leaving clean water behind.
Class A rated UVC LED purification
No chemicals, no additives and nothing to taste
LED rather than conventional UV lamps: instant on, no warm-up, no mercury and a long service life
Low power draw, suited to running off the boat's DC system
Compact and straightforward to retrofit
Best for: making drinking water genuinely safe, particularly when taking on water in unfamiliar marinas or cruising grounds.
Both systems retrofit into existing plumbing and neither is a major project - most installations are completed in a day. Our engineers will look at your tank arrangement, your pump and your available space, and specify accordingly.
Filters need changing at intervals, and it's the part owners forget. Cartridge replacement can be folded into your yacht service package so it happens as a matter of course rather than when the taste comes back.
Installed by our own engineers from our service centres in Southampton, Plymouth, Neustadt in Holstein, Marbella and Mallorca.
Can I drink my yacht's tank water?
Not reliably, unless it's been treated. Dock water quality varies enormously, and tanks in warm spaces encourage growth. With filtration and purification fitted, yes - and most owners who do it stop buying bottled water entirely.
Will a filter make my water safe to drink?
It will make it taste and smell considerably better, but filtration alone doesn't remove bacteria and viruses. That's what purification is for.
Do I need both systems?
Not necessarily, but they solve different problems and work well together. We'll advise based on where you cruise and what you're trying to fix.
How often do filters need changing?
It depends on the system and how much water you use. Annual replacement suits most owners, and it can be included in your service package.
Isn't this what a watermaker does?
No. A watermaker produces fresh water from seawater. Filtration and purification treat what's already in your tank, whether that came from a watermaker or a dock hose. Plenty of yachts benefit from both.
Can these be fitted to any yacht?
Yes. Both retrofit into existing systems, and neither requires significant space.
Is UVC safe?
Yes. The light is fully contained within the unit, adds nothing to the water and leaves no residue or taste - unlike chemical treatment.
Need assistance? Our service teams are here to help. We can advise on the best yacht filtration or purification system for your boat, and can assist with installation. Fill in the form below to contact us and a member of our team will be in touch.
