About Us
Built by cruisers, for cruisers
Open Ocean Watermakers was founded in 2001 in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, on a simple idea: reliability through simplicity.
Our Story
Reliability through simplicity.
The legacy of Terry and Ariel
The Quencher system was developed by Terry Forsbrey, who lived aboard and cruised offshore with his wife, Ariel, for more than two decades. Over 12 years of active cruising, Terry saw that high-tech components weren't just unnecessary. They were also the first to fail.
By bypassing "smart" electronics, he could get most systems running again. That experience shaped the Open Ocean philosophy: a watermaker should be simple, reliable and affordable.
Proven at sea
Terry built an early engine-driven model and tested it at sea for five years. Back in New Zealand, he refined the design into a system without unnecessary gadgets or proprietary electronics.
What We Prioritise
Built to keep working, anywhere.
01
Mechanical integrity
High-quality components, chosen for long-term performance.
02
Global serviceability
Built mainly from standard parts you can source in most parts of the world.
03
Ease of use
A straightforward system that works consistently, even in the harshest conditions.
2001
Founded in the Bay of Islands
5 yrs
Sea-testing the original prototype
20 yrs
Serving the global sailing community
Tauranga
Where our systems are built today
A New Chapter
The same philosophy, under new ownership.
After 20 years of service to the global sailing community, Terry and Ariel have retired and passed the business to new owners committed to the same "pure and simple" philosophy.
We're proud to carry on the Open Ocean legacy, and to keep the service and quality Terry established available to the next generation of voyagers. Our systems are proudly produced in Tauranga and dispatched from Waihi, New Zealand, and we ship and sell internationally.