Boat Hacks: Simple Ways to Save Water on a Boat
We have almost become experts living life off the grid. The one thing that holds us back is our fresh water capacity. We have yet to invest in a watermaker so conserving as much water as possible helps us stay in remote places much longer. Over the years, we have found many ways to save water. Below are some simple ways to save water on a boat.
Water is precious on a boat!
Boat Showers:
Showering is the fastest way to drain the water tank. We do not go to the extreme of not showering at all but we do try to adjust our everyday life to conserve as much fresh water as possible. We try to shower out as often as we can. This can be at the gym, family or friend’s houses, or at a marina. If we are out adventuring and we do not have the option of showering out we try to wash in salt water and rise in fresh water. Having an outdoor fresh water hose on the stern of the boat makes this type of showering super simple. We jump off the back, shampoo and condition, jump in once more to get the suds off, and then give ourselves a quick rinse with the fresh water hose to get all the salt off (if you have a salt water washdown then there is no need to jump off). Every once in a while, a good warm shower is needed. If that is the case we try our best to turn the water off while shampooing and soaping. The water is only on when needed.
Check out the video below to see how we shower in the ocean (and what you have to look out for before you jump in :).
Dish Duty:
Dishes can take up almost as much water as a shower. On our current boat we have the luxury of having a salt water faucet in our kitchen sink. Dishes are washed in salt water and rinsed in fresh water. We make sure to rinse anything with a tendency to rust very well. Our previous boats did not have the luxury of a salt water faucet. We would bring the dishes outside give them a good rinse and then proceed to wash back in the sink.
Dish Duty!
The Toys:
We use many different pieces of equipment in an average day, fishing rods, spears, diving gear, and surfboards just to name a few. Keeping this expensive gear in working order calls for a good rinse. To save water on this end we try to rinse the most critical parts first (reels, spear tips, and anything metal) all other parts just get a quick splash.
Washing Pole Spears
Water Pumps:
Our fresh water pump is a low flow rate pump. This means that the water coming out of the faucet comes out at a lower volume than it would with a high flow rate pump. Having water come out at a lower volume means that less water is wasted. It may mean that it takes longer to do dishes but you can better direct where your water goes.
Filling up:
When we go out of our way to fill up the boat with water we make sure all dishes are done and the boat is clean before we leave the dock. We also fill up all water jugs and water bottles that we own to get every drop possible.
Getting every drop possible before we leave the dock!
Rain Catchment:
We have recently installed a rain catchment system on our hard bimini. This new system has been awesome! When we see dark clouds roll in we attach a hose to a five-gallon water jug and after we can top off our tank. Rain catchment systems can be created out of almost anything sails, sail bags, or canvas tops. Find something that is practical to your boat and start catching:)
If you need some ideas on what you can use to collect water check out the video below:)
Water Maker:
This is a luxury we have yet to invest in. Water Makers are great because you can make freshwater out of saltwater. We have yet to make this purchase because they are expensive, use a lot of energy, and require a good amount of maintenance. A water maker is definitely on our list of things we would like to buy in the future. Being able to shower and extra minute without worrying about wasting all the water would be awesome.
I hope this gave you a few new ideas on how to save an extra drop or two 🙂
Do you have any other ways to conserve water?
Let us know in the comments!
Thank you for reading 🙂
For more boat hacks, recipes, and other useful boating tips check out our blog 🙂
Sierra
One question about the catchment system: How do you keep it clean and the water you catch (we won’t go into what might get in or on it)? Do you take it down after each rain period? How much volume of water do you typically manage to catch?
Thanks!
Why do I ALWAYS catch typos after I post?
Attempt no. 2: One question about the catchment system: How do you keep it and the water you catch clean?
Surely there is a way to make a water maker that’s human powered – i.e. via an exercise bike? Get your daily exercise onboard and make fresh water at the same time. I know there are hand powered water makers available, but that’s just tedious and their yield is tiny.
My family loves boating! We would be on the water all the time in our dream world. Thank you for the advice about about how to conserve on water. I love the idea of using the bath water twice. Once to get wet, and once to rinse off. Along with following your tips, we are going to be looking into good repair places for our boat. Having a reliable boat is very important.
Wow, it was very interesting when you mentioned that you can use a rain catcher to save on water. I feel like this would also apply when you are washing the boat, and I wonder what the best way to do this is. I have been thinking that hiring professionals to do it might be a good solution, but I would love to hear any ideas you might have.