A liveaboard needs a watermaker that can keep up with daily life: cooking, showers, washing dishes, and topping up the tank after a long passage. A compact unit producing 10 litres per hour works well for a weekend sailor, but if you live aboard full-time, you need significantly more output, more robust components, and the option to run on whatever power source is available. This guide covers what actually matters when choosing a high-output watermaker for liveaboard use, and which LEDI system is likely the right fit.
How Much Water Does a Liveaboard Actually Use?
The average liveaboard couple consumes 20 to 60 litres of fresh water per day once you account for drinking, cooking, basic washing, and at least one short shower each. A crew of four can easily push past 100 litres on a hot day. That means a 10 LPH unit running for two hours gives you 20 litres, which is survivable but not comfortable. A 40, 60, or 80 LPH system running for an hour or two fills a modest tank without monopolising your afternoon.
Before you settle on a unit, add up your realistic daily demand. Then check that the watermaker you are considering can meet that demand in a reasonable run time, with some headroom for back-to-back days at anchor. For most liveaboards and larger cruising yachts, that points toward a high-output system rather than a compact portable one.
The LEDI Nomad: Built for High-Output Liveaboard Duty
The LEDI Nomad watermaker is designed for exactly this role. It is available in 40, 60, and 80 LPH output configurations, runs on 12V or 24V DC (or 240V via a mains adapter), and is built around a Cat Pumps 2SFSEEL 316-stainless high-pressure pump: a compact direct-drive plunger pump that is fully serviceable in the field and designed for continuous duty.
Key specifications at a glance:
- Output: 40, 60, or 80 litres per hour (configuration-dependent)
- Power: 12V or 24V DC standard; 240V via mains adapter; 48V BLDC available as a custom premium upgrade
- Integrated control panel with TDS monitor and flow meter as standard
- 2-stage pre-filtration included
- 316 stainless DEFLOK fittings throughout
- Autoflush-compatible
- Weight: approximately 38 to 42 kg
- Pricing: $9,899 AUD (single-membrane) or $10,899 AUD (double-membrane)
The integrated TDS monitor means you always know the quality of the water going into your tank, and the flow meter confirms you are getting the output you expect. These are not optional extras on the Nomad; they are standard.
Single-Membrane vs Double-Membrane: Which Do You Need?
The single-membrane Nomad at $9,899 AUD suits most liveaboards and extended cruising situations. The double-membrane configuration at $10,899 AUD is the choice when you want maximum output, are making water for a larger crew or charter arrangement, or want the extra membrane for added quality assurance in marginal water conditions.
If you are unsure which configuration matches your daily water budget, the LEDI team can help you work through the numbers. Contact them at info@ledi.com.au or call +61 494 562 668.
Power: Running a High-Output Watermaker Off Your Boat's System
One of the practical questions liveaboards ask is whether a high-output watermaker will overload their electrical system. The Nomad's multi-voltage design, 12V, 24V, or 240V via adapter, means it can work with most cruising setups. A 24V house bank is common on larger yachts and draws fewer amps at the same power output than a 12V system, which reduces cable losses and works more comfortably with a solar array.
If you want to understand how your battery bank and solar interact with a watermaker's power draw, the article Can a Watermaker Run on Battery Power? covers the fundamentals clearly.
For liveaboards on a marina berth, the 240V mains adapter option means you can run the Nomad from shore power, saving your battery bank entirely.
Why Portability Still Matters on a Liveaboard
The Nomad is not a below-deck plumbed-in system. It is a high-output portable unit, which gives liveaboards a genuine advantage: you can move it between boats, lend it out, take it ashore if needed, and service it without opening up the cabinetry. When something needs attention, you deal with the unit directly rather than ripping out a locker.
If your preference is a fully integrated below-deck installation, the LEDI Modular kit is designed for that: a configurable system for permanent or semi-permanent installs, with a remote control panel and auto freshwater flush. Pricing depends on configuration, so contact the team for a quote.
The article Portable vs Installed Watermaker walks through this trade-off in detail if you are weighing both options.
Pre-Filtration and Maintenance for a High-Use System
A liveaboard puts more hours on a watermaker than a weekend sailor. That makes pre-filtration and routine maintenance more important, not less. The Nomad includes 2-stage pre-filtration as standard, which gives the membrane cleaner feed water and extends the time between filter changes compared to a single-stage system.
The routine consumable is the pre-filter cartridge. In clean, open-ocean water you might change it every 30 to 40 hours of run time. In silty or coastal water, more often. A fresh cartridge costs a few dollars and takes minutes to swap. You can order spare parts and consumables from LEDI directly, with most items dispatched within one business day.
The RO membrane is a longer-term item. It is not a regular consumable. With proper care, including a freshwater flush after each use and pickling when the unit is laid up for more than a few weeks, a membrane lasts several years. The article Watermaker Membrane Lifespan: What Shortens It and How to Make Yours Last for Years is worth reading before you put the unit into regular service.
Australian-Made, Fully Serviceable, and Backed by Real People
LEDI builds its watermakers on the Gold Coast. There is no overseas distributor, no call centre. If you have a question or a problem, you talk to someone who knows the product. The Nomad carries a 1-year warranty, extended to 2 years on registration, and LEDI provides lifetime in-house servicing. All wear parts are field-replaceable, and spares are posted Australia-wide and internationally.
The Cat Pumps high-pressure pump at the heart of the Nomad is a well-regarded commercial-grade component used in fixed marine installs worldwide. Being non-proprietary means parts are available through multiple channels if you are ever a long way from home.
What the Scout Covers, and When the Nomad Is the Better Fit
The LEDI Scout is a 10 or 20 LPH portable unit from $4,899 AUD, suited to trailer sailers, smaller cruising yachts, catamarans, campers, and situations where single-person portability and minimal power draw are the priority. It is an excellent unit for its intended role.
But for liveaboards, larger crews, longer passages, or any situation where you are making 60 to 200-plus litres of water per day, the Nomad is the better match. The higher output means shorter run times, less wear per litre produced, and more comfort margin when conditions are not ideal.
If your daily water budget sits in the middle, say 20 to 40 litres per day for a couple on a moderate cruising schedule, the Scout 20 LPH might cover it. The LEDI team can help you work out which unit makes sense for your actual numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LEDI Nomad suitable for full-time liveaboard use?
Yes. The Nomad is built with a Cat Pumps commercial-grade high-pressure pump designed for continuous duty, 2-stage pre-filtration, and an integrated TDS monitor and flow meter. It produces 40, 60, or 80 LPH depending on configuration, which suits most liveaboard daily water demands comfortably.
Can the Nomad run on solar power alone?
The Nomad runs on 12V or 24V DC, so it can be powered from a battery bank charged by solar. Whether your specific solar and battery setup can sustain it depends on your array size, battery capacity, and how long you run the unit each day. The LEDI team can advise on power requirements for your configuration.
How much does the LEDI Nomad cost in Australia?
The Nomad is $9,899 AUD for the single-membrane unit and $10,899 AUD for the double-membrane unit. Australian shipping is calculated at checkout. For international orders, contact LEDI for a shipping quote.
What maintenance does a liveaboard watermaker need day to day?
The main routine tasks are replacing the pre-filter cartridge when output drops or feed pressure rises (every 30 to 40 hours in clean ocean water, more often in silty conditions), and flushing the membrane with fresh water after each use. For storage longer than a few weeks, the membrane should be pickled. All consumables and spare parts are available from LEDI.
Ready to find the right system for your liveaboard setup? Visit the Nomad watermaker product page, browse spare parts and accessories, or get in touch with the LEDI team at info@ledi.com.au or +61 494 562 668. You will speak with a real person who can match the right unit to your actual water needs.
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