Fresh water on board without filling the boat with tanks or putting a strain on electricity consumption. That’s the idea behind the new Schenker Qube 30, the watermaker that Schenker Watermakers has just added to its Qube line and that is designed specifically for boats around 12 meters in length.
Unveiled at the 2026 Genoa Boat Show, the Qube 30 produces 30 liters of fresh water per hour and requires only 110 watts. It can run directly off 12- or 24-volt service batteries, a feature that is particularly appealing on boats where every watt and every centimeter of space counts.
Designed around a very nautical problem: space
On a cruising sailboat, finding space for a watermaker isn’t always easy. The storage lockers and technical compartments are already filled with batteries, chargers, pumps, tools, and other equipment.
Schenker developed the Qube 30 specifically with those tight spaces in mind. Its design is predominantly horizontal, which allows for better use of certain storage compartments and bins on the boat. The manufacturer also opted for a custom design, rather than using standard off-the-shelf components, to optimize installation.
30 liters per hour with just 110 watts
The figure that will likely be of most interest to boaters is the ratio of output to power consumption. The Qube 30 has a rated output of 30 l/h and a stated power consumption of 110 W. It can be powered at 12 or 24 V, directly from the service battery bank.
The key lies in the energy recovery system developed by Schenker. The company uses this technology to reduce the amount of energy required during the desalination process and allow the equipment to run directly on the ship’s batteries.
For a cruise ship, the difference is significant: producing water on board avoids relying solely on the capacity of the water tanks and can extend the amount of time a ship can remain away from port.
How much space does it take up?
The unit measures 73.5 × 25.5 × 20.8 cm and weighs 18.1 kg. The separate pump weighs an additional 4.4 kg. This places the Qube 30 in a particularly attractive category for medium-sized boats: it does not attempt to compete with large, high-output desalination units, but rather offers a relatively compact solution for a small crew.
A Family That Keeps Growing
The Qube 30 doesn’t come alone. It’s the newest member of a family that Schenker initially introduced with the Qube 65 and Qube 100, capable of producing 65 and 100 liters per hour, respectively. The new model brings that design philosophy to smaller boats.
A 12-meter cruiser with three or four crew members and a fuel consumption of 30 liters per hour could strike a reasonable balance between output, space, and energy consumption.
What does the Qube 30 offer?
| Feature | Schenker Qube 30 |
|---|---|
| Production | 30 l/h |
| Consumption | 110 W |
| Food | 12/24 V |
| Estimated Crew Size | 3–4 people |
| Orientation Boat | ≈40 feet (12 meters) |
| Dimensions | 73.5 × 25.5 × 20.8 cm |
| Weight of the equipment | 18.1 kg |
| Weight of the pump | 4.4 kg |
| Technology | Energy Recovery |
The international launch just took place in Genoa, and although the first European distributors are already beginning to add it to their catalogs, prices, availability, and distribution in Spain may still change over the next few weeks.
As a guide, for example, the Dutch distributor ASA Bootelectro lists the 12-V Qube 30 Basic at €5,690 (excluding VAT) and the Mini Touch version at €6,160 (excluding VAT). Another European distributor, Marinea, lists the Qube 30 at €6,699, though it indicates an estimated delivery date of November 15, 2026.