78 November 2017
NEW GEAR
Options on tap
What is it? A compact drinks station with
purifi ed hot, chilled and ambient water
Who is it for? Those who want to rid
themselves of plastic bottles on boardT
he Quatreau SmartTap is an
efficient, low power electronic
water delivery system that has
recently been introduced to the marine
market. It is manufactured in the UK
by the Pure H2O Company and is the
result of seven years of research and
development. The counter-top system
dispenses purified chilled, sparkling,
boiling or ambient water from a two or
three-button console.
When fitted with the RO-DI (reverse
osmosis/deionisation) option, the
system filters out impurities including
heavy metals and viruses. As a result,
the water dispersed is purer than many
bottled water brands and carries an EPA
certificate for the removal of micro-
organisms. While existing systems with
filters smaller than 0.4 microns have been
available for some time at a lower price
point, they don’t offer the advantages
of instant boiling, chilled or carbonated
water. On a boat with sufficient power
generating capacity, the convenience of
being able to select these options at the
touch of a button is hugely attractive.T
The system runs off a 240V supply,
with the heater using 80W in standby
mode and 2.56kW when heating
water. The chiller/carbonator takes
approximately 100W in standby and up
to 300W during operation. If run 24/7
this obviously represents a significant
load for a smaller boat if it’s not
connected to shore power. On a bigger
yacht with a large battery bank backed
up by frequent generator use, or if ahydrogenerator and other alternative
charging methods are available, then it
would be viable.
The Quatreau SmartTap is also
available with a standard specification
in-line filter that will weed out large
impurities, but not the micro-organisms
of the RO-DI and so doesn’t eliminate the
need to carry bottled water in parts of
the world that tap water is unreliable.
The system is supplied with a two or
three LED button console, while options
include a stylish integrated drainer
that creates a stand-alone counter top
drinks station. The product is made of
316L stainless steel and is available
in brushed or polished finishes. An
optional safety lock for boiling water
offers peace of mind for those with
young children.
There are numerous advantages to
eliminating bottled water use on board,
least not the onerous task of lugging
scores of bottles to the yacht. In addition,
storing enough full bottles for a long
passage, and the empty bottles awaiting
recycling, can be challenging — it’s much
easier to stow the water in tanks, or
desalinate it as your voyage progresses.
Finally, some eight million tonnes of
plastic enters the world’s oceans each
year, destroying the habitats of wildlife
that we so value. In popular warm-
weather sailing areas empty water
bottles that have blown away in the wind
form a disproportionate amount of waste
in the sea.
Price from £1,800. http://www.Pureh2o.co.ukNEW GEAR
£1,800
Seagull lV XF fi lter
This filter will remove bacteria and viruses from
tanked water. It works with standard marine
pressurised systems and can be either fitted to
filter all the water from the tank or connected to a
specific drinking water outlet to extend the interval
between filter changes. On the market for 35 years,
it is tried and tested. Seagull IV
cartridges have a life span of
around 3,000-3,800lt and
cost around $110.
Price: From $640
http://www.general ecology.comOptions on tap
The system runs off a 240V supply,hydrogenerator and other alternative
charging methods are available, then it
would be viable.
The Quatreau SmartTap is also
available with a standard specification
in-line filter that will weed out large
impurities, but not the micro-organisms
of the RO-DI and so doesn’t eliminate the
need to carry bottled water in parts of
the world that tap water is unreliable.
The system is supplied with a two or
three LED button console, while options
include a stylish integrated drainer
that creates a stand-alone counter top
drinks station. The product is made of
316L stainless steel and is available
in brushed or polished finishes. An
optional safety lock for boiling water
offers peace of mind for those with
young children.
There are numerous advantages to
eliminating bottled water use on board,
least not the onerous task of lugging
scores of bottles to the yacht. In addition,
storing enough full bottles for a long
passage, and the empty bottles awaiting
recycling, can be challenging — it’s much
easier to stow the water in tanks, orNEW GEAR
more ways to
avoid relying on
bottled water on
board and ashore
5
Dometic XZ watermaker and purifi er
Aimed at larger yachts and superyachts, these units
combine the functions of a watermaker and a fresh
water reverse-osmosis purification system. They can
therefore be used both as
a desalinator and to purify
fresh water from a shore
or marina supply. Four
sizes are available, with
capacities from 4,500lt to
11,300lt per day.
Price from £26,192
http://www.dometic.combetween filter changes. On the market for 35 years,
it is tried and tested. Seagull IVThe Quatreau
SmartTap
system offers a
number of water
functions at
the push of an
elegant button