Frugal Cruising Idea Exchange

[Fai Tira]

Originally Posted by boat_alexandra

I can catch all the water landing on my deck. There is a thru hole on the low point and hose inside. I let it settle in containers then syphon to get what floats and sinks out, then filter it once through a cloth. I syphon with a small hose to control flow rate, and the cloth draped over a bucket. This is good water for washing clothes, and it's plenty of water. No hauling water needed.


I want to get a 10-20 gallon gallon sealable container. The idea is to plastic weld, or rivet and seal 4 helical fins a few inches wide to the outside. Inside will have straight fins to make baffles. From there, tow it behind the boat or put it in the water in a current at anchor, and let it spin, it needs a good bearing, not sure anchor swivel is ideal. Then it can be washing the clothes in fresh water inside. Will it work?

Could it be mounted on the deck with a windshield wiper motor geared to a belt to rotate it? Those motors draw less than 2 amps, so it's no problem to run it a few hours off solar. It may take 2-3 hours to wash since it's turning slowly, on sunny days doesn't matter.

It could also have a belt to a large 6ft diameter windmill with 6 or more blades to turn it possibly. Then there are ways to make it work with wave action either hanging in the rigging, in the water. even possible to anchor it in breakers

A black drum tied somewhere on deck/cockpit would be much easier and cheaper than building anything.
Hoisting it up the rigging or anchoring it are good ideas!

[sparrowhawk1]

Originally Posted by Fai Tira

A black drum tied somewhere on deck/cockpit would be much easier and cheaper than building anything.
Hoisting it up the rigging or anchoring it are good ideas!

I once saw a big polyurethane black ball to show that a vessel is anchored, a requirement for 12m and above. And I thought that would make one of the best solar showers ever. Maybe 3 gallons. You just have to drill a hole for filling and 1 to attach the hose. No algae and tons of pressure. And no problem with funny dirt dwellers who think solar showers should not be used.