Who Needs a 12V Watermaker?
A guide for sailing yachts on battery power only
When does a 12V watermaker make sense?
If your boat runs on a 12V battery bank only — no generator or shore power — the SCW-30 (30 L/hour) and SCW-50 (50–60 L/hour) are the practical choices. Running a 230V unit through an inverter drains batteries quickly.
Small sailing yachts (8–14 m), crews of 2–6 and daily needs of 100–200 L fit the 12V segment.
Who needs more?
- Gulets or motor yachts with 8+ people (400 L+ daily)
- Charter boats with heavy shower use
- Boats with 230V generator wanting high volume fast → consider SCW-100
Battery consumption
SCW-50 typically draws 40–55 A. Three hours daily ≈ 150 Ah. Size your AGM or lithium bank with charging sources (alternator, solar). See 12V watermaker and solar panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically via inverter but not recommended — inefficient battery drain. SCW-50 is the 12V ceiling in the Seacraft range.
2–4 crew, 80–120 L/day → SCW-30. 4–6 crew or 150–200 L/day → SCW-50. Compare: SCW-30 vs SCW-50.
