Potable Water

[eryka]

Free - we paid anywhere from 10 to 50 cents per gallon in the Virgins, relying on word-of-mouth to know which sources had a quality reputation

[sailortjk1]

Would one of those Britta (I think that is what they are called) filters
work? We use on in the house as we are on well water.
Not a whole lot of storage space required. Could a cruiser carry one of those on board
use the their tanks, than filter the tank water before drinking?

[Vasco]

We drink what's in the tanks. For our six months cruising each winter we manage very well without a watermaker and without resorting, in most cases, to buying water. We only cruise the Bahamas and free RO water is available in certain places. Nassau water will not taste the best sometimes so we use a charcoal filter if we've had to load up there. Our 130 gallon tanks are quite adequate. We shower every day in fresh water but try not to drink too much water preferring beer or rum (with a splash of water).

[Freesail99]

Originally Posted by eryka

Free - we paid anywhere from 10 to 50 cents per gallon in the Virgins, relying on word-of-mouth to know which sources had a quality reputation

A friend of mine said he paid 75 cents for water a month ago. What does bottled water go for if available ? I ask cause I been to mexico ........

[PBzeer]

I use distilled because it doesn't stain my tea mug as badly as other water. The tea, or spiced cider, or hot chocolate add the flavor. For just drinking water, I buy the small bottles. Since I have no idea what had been in my water tanks before, the idea of it going in my body, even boiled or filtered, isn't appealing.

Enroute to New Bern, NC

[hellosailor]

saildog-
"Why distilled water??? I find it tastes too flat."
Try making a pot of coffee with tap water. Look down or through the pot. Now make another pot, using distilled water. Take another look--the coffee literally is CLEARER in most cases.
I don't bother about distilled for my brewing (gourmand) but anyone who tries to steal my Brita pitcher is gonna be used for keel floss.

In many cases if distilled or deionized water tastes "flat" it is because it has no air in it. Pouring it from a height, or shaking the bottle up, often restores that. (Same way a tea lover would never use "twice boiled" flat water for tea.)

[sailingdog]

I prefer bottled water, that has some mineral content. While it may not be as clear, I find it is more palatable.

[camaraderie]

Free....
In the bahamas, dockside potable tank water varies from free to 50 cents a gallon and the same branded bottled water as in the states runs 1.25-1.50 a gallon. Many people just use the dockside water treated with a little bleach or filtered on board as it is generally considered safe.
I found the availability of tank water to be mostly free at docks in the lower caribe if you were taking a slip or filling diesel as the islands have plenty of rainfall. The DR was problematic and we bought RO water in 5gal jugs and weren't too sure that THAT was safe. Filtered it or boiled it before using internally!
Good bottled drinking water was available everywhere else at I would say a 50% premium over US prices...except in the FRENCH islands which had all kinds of wonderful Euro stuff at very reasonable prices....along with good wine....bread...food...pizza...300 varieties of cheese ...all the basics of life!! (G)
FRESH milk was unavailable on many islands but everywhere had the boxed milk (like Parmalat) if that is a concern to any with kids.

[Freesail99]

Bread, wine & pizza now your talking. Who needs water. Thanks for the info, Cam.

[tdw]

Whoops. I forgot to check this thread today after starting it myself yesterday.

We have a filter on our fresh water line (god knows when it was last changed though) and so the water from our tanks tastes pretty good. Even so If I'm going to drink it I'd prefer to boil it first. Sometimes i use bottled water for coffee and yes it does taste better but first thing in the morn everything tastes like crap so I don't bother.

One great advantage of bottled water is that you can monitor your intake. Being something of an old fart I need to drink plenty of water to keep away the gout. Trust me on this, if you've never had it you don't want it. It hurts. Lots of water (and for some reason celery) keeps it at bay. Oh, and don't eat spinach, boo hoo.

If travelling to somewhere that doesn't have bottled water then we'll carry a proper water filter thingy.

Regarding watermakers, I noticed at the Sydney Boat Show that there are now some not so expensive small units that would satisfy the needs of a couple of small rodents but I think that will wait for the next boat.

No matter how big your tanks are if you insist on this showering malarky it's amazing how much water you go through even though we 'navy shower'.

My only worry about bottled water is the storage. Having all those relatively thin plastic bottles stored away for weeks at a time I do wonder how long before the plastic would wear through.

Still and all as Freesail has noted 'just drink wine' (and beer too please.)

Oh yes, (he edited in), if you have milk in your tea or coffee and all you can get is UHT then the taste thing is moot. UHT milk makes anything taste strange. Not necessarily bad, just strange.