HOW AN AUSTRALIAN ENGINEER BECAME A WATERMAKER MANUFACTURER

Available Watermakers were Just Too Complicated
In 2012, Dave Goldie had just gotten back from the Mariana Trench, in the north Pacific Ocean where he’d been working as an engineer on film maker James Cameron’s “Deepsea Challenge” project.

He was living on his Beneteau 411 yacht in Sydney Harbor. Spending a lot of time away from marinas, it quickly became apparent he would need a watermaker.

After extensive research into the available systems, his frustration grew. While there are many good quality systems on the market, none of them really met his needs. Some were too complex, raising concerns about long term maintenance. All were too expensive, and all required an invasive installation process.

Pondering his options on his boat one afternoon, he looked at his red Honda portable generator. He then asked Ben Deacon, one of his sailing friends, “Why can’t someone make a system that’s as simple to use as my Honda gen set?”. After some bouncing around of ideas and concepts, he took on the challenge. Fortunately, his background includes both pressure engineering and industrial design, and he set about creating a system to meet his needs.

A Portable and Self-Contained Watermaker is the Solution
The breakthrough idea was all about simplicity – a portable generator that makes water instead of electricity. It would be a self-contained unit that required no installation – that allowed the elimination of all the electronics, solenoids and control systems that cause so many maintenance problems.

One the guiding principles was that they would only work with top tier suppliers. People would be taking these systems to the furthest corners of the world, so reliability would be a top priority. Working with companies such as Honda, Dow Filmtec and General Pump, components were specified that would give thousands of hours of service in a marine environment.

The First Portable and Self-Contained Watermaker becomes a Reality
After several prototypes and extensive testing, Dave and Ben had developed a working pre-production prototype. Dave’s attention to detail went beyond the reliability and function of the system and extended to the design. Several hundred hours were spent hand shaping the mold for the original fiberglass shell. Internal components were designed on CAD and proto-typed using 3D printing. The first thirty petrol (gasoline) systems were made with the fiberglass shell. Later the design would shift to a rotomolded polyethylene shell for all systems.

After significant market research and enthusiastic responses from various people in the Australian marine industry, Dave and Ben knew they were on to something. They realized that in order to launch the system to the market, they would require capital for production and greater commercial experience to build Rainman into a viable business.

At the time, entrepreneur Ron Schroeder happened to be looking for an early stage opportunity to invest in and take an active role. After further market research, the three decided to commercialize the Rainman system.

The production ready prototype was launched at the 2014 Sanctuary Cove Boat show on the Gold Coast, Australia. After a massively enthusiastic response at the boat show, production began and first shipments shortly thereafter. Keen to expand our product line, work immediately began on design of the electric versions of the system (230V/50Hz and 115V/60Hz). The first units were marketed across Australia. After achieving local success, we launched internationally later in 2014.

CAPE MARINE

The First Rainman Distributor in the US

Looking to expand into the North American market, the Australian Rainman manufacturer developed a relationship with Alan Stapp from Cape Hatteras Marine, in Newport Beach, California who became the first dealer to represent the product line in the United States. Cape Hatteras Marine (now known as Cape Marine) has been an industry leader in unique and innovative boating products since 1999 and in 2015 welcomed Rainman to their boating family, introducing Rainman watermakers across the country at over 100 boat shows.

New product offerings are constantly being developed to keep Rainman at the forefront of the “Watermaker World”. Stop by the Cape Marine's showroom and see Rainman units on display. We'll be happy to show you the latest in portable and installed desalination systems and answer all of your questions.