We started putting water makers in the cats three years ago. Cuvee hull number 2 of the Saba 50 was the first. Baard insisted on it as the owner because he wanted to reduce the number of times that people banged his brand new cat into docks. The feedback was immediate and decisive. Our long term guests started seeking out the boats with water makers after the first trip with one.
Every single cat in our fleet now has a water maker. The feed back has been terrific. It is literally like the first time you rented a boat with Air Conditioning. No one wants to go back. We also have three mono hulls with water makers.
No more waiting in line or taking time out to go to the dock for water. No more stress and cussing docking every two or three days. This makes it easier to get your damage deposit back as the ocean is only dangerous around the edges. Also no more fighting with your wives and daughters over showers.
In addition we have a larger cruising ground, St Thomas, St John, Culebra, Vieques, St Croix and all of the BVI's. Some places have no access to water this also was a deciding factor for us in installing them.
While all true, I think Jay isn't discussing this from the charter guest point of view. Quality of the trip is just so much better. We've probably all been on a boat with a water hog. Newbies tend to really not understand this idea that you only have a rain barrel (or two) worth of water. We've sailed with several folks new to sailing. Even after explaining that they need to wet, soap, and rinse they can't (or wont') follow instructions. I hear the water pump running and after a handful of minutes I'm getting unhappy. With the water maker.... no problem! Just hit the green button and make more. It's just a completely different mentality and something you get used to pretty quickly. Quality of life on board is just so much better given boundless fresh water.
Full disclosure - I'm the owner of one of the CYOA monohulls with a watermaker. It's been installed for about a year. It's been a very practical and useful addition.
