If you are searching for a portable watermaker for sale, you have probably already worked out that the market is confusing. Prices range from a few hundred dollars for basic gravity filters to well over $20,000 for permanently installed marine desalination systems. This guide cuts through the noise, explains what you actually get at each price point, and helps you match the right unit to your situation, whether you are heading offshore on a cruising yacht, crossing Australia in a 4WD, or setting up a remote property.
What Makes a Watermaker "Portable"?
A true portable watermaker uses reverse osmosis (RO) to force raw water through a semi-permeable membrane at high pressure, separating salt and contaminants from pure drinking water. The word "portable" means different things to different manufacturers, so it is worth pinning down what matters to you:
- No permanent installation, deploy and stow in minutes, no plumber or electrician required.
- Low-voltage DC power, runs from your existing 12V house battery or solar, not a generator or shore power.
- Single-person carry, light enough that one person can move it around the boat or load it into a vehicle.
- Works on seawater and brackish water, not just a filter for already-clean water.
Budget gravity filters and ceramic purifiers do not meet that standard. Genuine portable RO watermakers do, and they are the only technology capable of turning full-strength seawater (up to 35,000 ppm TDS) into safe drinking water reliably.
The LEDI Range: Three Systems, Three Use Cases
LEDI Watermakers is an Australian company based on the Gold Coast. Every system is assembled locally using commercial marine-grade parts, which keeps costs well below comparable imported or permanently installed systems, typically $10,000 to $25,000 installed, without cutting corners on quality.
There are three systems to consider:
LEDI Scout
The LEDI Scout is the flagship portable unit and the one most buyers are looking for when they search for a portable watermaker for sale. Key figures:
- Output: 10 LPH or 20 LPH
- Power: 12V DC, 16 to 18A draw, runs comfortably from a standard house battery with 200 to 400W of solar, no generator needed
- Weight: 18 kg, single-person carry
- Salt rejection: 99.4%, output typically 250 to 300 ppm TDS (well under the 800 ppm limit for Australian drinking water standards)
- Built-in UV steriliser, 5-micron pre-filter, Pumptec 107SS stainless high-pressure pump
- No installation, drop the stainless intake over the side, connect the supplied hoses, making water in minutes
- Handles seawater up to 35,000 ppm and brackish or river water
- Price: from $4,799 AUD
The Scout suits trailer sailers, cruising yachts from 20 to 50 feet, catamarans, campers, and 4WDs. It is the right choice for smaller crews or anyone who wants independence without a permanent install.
LEDI Nomad
The LEDI Nomad is a higher-output system designed for bigger crews, liveaboards, longer offshore passages, charter vessels, or anyone who needs showers underway. It delivers up to 80 LPH, runs on 12V, 24V, or 48V, and includes an integrated control panel, a CAT pump, two-stage pre-filtration, TDS and flow monitoring, and autoflush compatibility. At around 38 to 42 kg it is not a one-person carry, but it is still a far more practical proposition than a traditional through-hull installation. Pricing starts from $8,299 AUD, with final configuration pricing being finalised. If the Nomad is the right fit, get in touch to register your interest and the team will confirm availability and exact pricing for your setup.
LEDI Modular
The LEDI Modular is a kit built for permanent or semi-permanent below-deck installation, suited to new builds and full refits. Output is configurable across a wide range, a remote control panel is included, and an auto freshwater flush is standard. If you want the system completely out of sight and integrated into your boat's plumbing, this is the one to ask about. Pricing is configuration-dependent, so contact the team for a quote.
How Does the Scout Compare to Installed Systems?
A common question from buyers shopping for a portable watermaker for sale is: why is the Scout so much cheaper than a fixed watermaker? The short answer is that you are not paying for an installation, an overseas distributor, or international freight on a heavy through-hull system. The Scout uses the same commercial marine-grade components you would find in a fixed install, the Pumptec 107SS pump, a genuine seawater RO membrane, 316 stainless fittings, but packed into a portable case made right here on the Gold Coast. Parts are non-proprietary and field-replaceable, so you are not locked into expensive factory servicing.
Fixed watermakers from European brands typically run $10,000 to $25,000 installed. The Scout from $4,799 delivers the same drinking-water quality without the trades bill, the through-hull penetrations, or the space below decks.
For a detailed breakdown of what drives watermaker pricing, see our article on Watermaker for Boat Price: What to Expect in 2025.
Matching Output to Your Daily Water Needs
Before you buy any portable watermaker, work out how much water you actually need per day. A rough guide:
- Drinking and cooking only: 2 to 4 litres per person per day
- Drinking, cooking, and basic washing: 5 to 10 litres per person per day
- Full comfort use including showers: 20 to 40+ litres per person per day
The Scout at 20 LPH can cover a crew of two to four comfortably if you run it for one to two hours a day. For larger crews or high daily use, the Nomad's 40 to 80 LPH output makes more sense. Our guide on How Much Water Does a Watermaker Produce? walks through the maths in more detail.
Power and Solar: What You Actually Need
One of the biggest selling points of the Scout is that it runs on 12V DC at 16 to 18A. A standard 100Ah house battery and a modest solar panel setup, say 200 to 400W, is enough to run the Scout and replenish what you draw. There is no need for a generator, no diesel bill, and no waiting for shore power. This makes it genuinely practical for extended offshore passages or remote overland trips where grid power is not available.
For a deeper look at running a watermaker from solar, see Sail Further on Solar: The 12V Watermaker for Small Cruisers.
What About Ongoing Costs and Maintenance?
Every watermaker needs basic upkeep. For the Scout that means:
- Pre-filter changes, the 2.5 x 5" cartridge filter runs $25 AUD and should be replaced when flow drops or on a regular schedule depending on water quality.
- Freshwater flush, flush the system with fresh water after each use to prevent salt buildup in the membrane. Takes a few minutes.
- Membrane pickling, if storing the system for more than a few weeks, the membrane needs to be preserved. Maintenance chemicals are available from $12 AUD.
- Membrane replacement, the seawater RO membrane is $300 AUD and is pro-rata under warranty. With proper care, membranes last several years.
All wear parts are field-replaceable and available from the LEDI spares store. Most orders ship Australia-wide within one business day, and LEDI ships internationally too.
LEDI offers a one-year warranty on every system, extended to two years when you register your unit. Lifetime in-house servicing is available on the Gold Coast.
Is a Portable Watermaker Right for You?
A portable RO watermaker is the right call if:
- You want fresh water independence without a permanent installation or trades work
- You are on a boat between 20 and 50 feet with a 12V solar setup
- You travel remote areas in a camper or 4WD and need to treat brackish, river, or tank water
- You want a system you can move between vessels or vehicles
- You want to keep installation costs down without compromising water quality
A portable watermaker is probably not the best fit if you are running a charter operation with a large daily water demand and want a fully automated, below-deck system. In that case, the Nomad or Modular is worth a conversation with the team.
Ready to Buy or Want to Talk It Through?
LEDI is a small Australian company. When you contact them, you deal with a real person, not a call centre. If you are ready to order, head to the LEDI Scout product page or browse the Nomad and Modular options. Australian shipping is calculated at checkout. For international orders, contact the team directly for a shipping quote.
To talk through which system suits your situation, reach out by email at info@ledi.com.au or call +61 494 562 668. The team is happy to help you get the right portable watermaker for sale, without any pressure.
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