The evolution of marine faucets: innovation, functionality and design
Introduction
Marine faucets are essential components for functionality and comfort aboard vessels. Designed to withstand the harshest marine conditions, these devices have seen significant evolution over the years, combining technological innovation, water efficiency, and elegant design. In this article we will explore the history, features, and benefits of nautical faucets, with a focus on the latest trends and high-quality products offered by leading companies such as Elka.
The Story of Elka
Elka is a company that has pioneered the nautical faucet industry for more than 20 years. Its founder, Katia Paracchini, had the intuition to create a line of faucets specifically designed for boats after noticing that the faucets available on the market were often adaptations of those for homes. During a trip to Africa, Katia was inspired to start her own company, dedicated to meeting the special needs of the marine industry.
Today Elka is the leading company in italy that produces runinetti exclusively for yachts and ships, with customers all over the world.
History and Evolution of Nautical Taps.
From Origins to the Present Day
Initially, nautical faucets were simple and functional, designed primarily to reliably supply water. With the advent of modern technologies and increased expectations of boaters, the design and functionality of nautical faucets have evolved considerably.
Early Taps: Made of brass and steel, these taps were sturdy but often susceptible to corrosion and wear.
Technological Developments: The introduction of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel improved the durability and reliability of nautical faucets.
Modern Design: With the rise of luxury boats, faucet design has become a key element, combining aesthetics and functionality.
Key Features of Nautical Taps
Corrosion Resistance
One of the most critical aspects of marine faucets is their ability to resist corrosion. The marine environment is extremely aggressive, with high levels of humidity and saltiness. Therefore, materials such as stainless steel, chrome-plated brass, and special alloys are critical to ensure a long service life.
Hydraulic Efficiency
Hydraulic efficiency is another key element. Marine faucets must be designed to minimize wastage of water, a valuable commodity aboard boats. Features such as flow restrictors and mixing valves help improve water efficiency.
Ease of Maintenance
Nautical faucets must be easy to maintain. This includes the ability to easily replace worn parts and clean components without difficulty. Regular maintenance is essential to prevent corrosion problems and ensure optimal operation.
Aesthetics and Design
The design of nautical faucets has become increasingly important, especially for luxury yachts. The faucets must blend harmoniously with the design of the boat's interior, providing a touch of elegance and sophistication.
Examples of Elka's Iconic Designs
Elka is a leading marine faucet company, with a range of products designed specifically for use on yachts and other vessels. Here are some examples of their most iconic designs:
1. Article: 7080GAPC
The trend in yacht design in recent years has seen a progressive enlargement of outdoor areas: larger sundecks, beach areas capable of accommodating armchairs and tables, and bulwarks that open up to form veritable terraces overlooking the sea.
Elka always attentive to the new demands of its customers proposes a line of removable deck shower columns, which find in the 7080GAPC the summa of all the features and innovations presented with the introduction of this new product range.
This is a shower column with carbon-fiber posts and chrome-plated brass plumbing components, equipped with a hinge that reduces its height footprint by half when not in use.
The column has quick, automatic water connections: simply plug it into the base located on the deck, rotate the upper arm to extend it in height, and use it as a regular shower.
As with most Elka products, here too we are faced with an item that is highly customizable in terms of both size and finish.
2. Article: 7090Q
Sometimes the assembly of a simple component such as a shower with a sliding rail can cause a great deal of wasted time and damage.
The operator usually assembles it when the bathroom is almost complete: he has to measure, drill and fix the sliding rail, he has to connect the hose to the mixer and test it.
If something goes wrong the whole job has to be redone.
Elka introduces in its catalog the brand new quick-connect shower rail: a brand new concept designed and developed by its technical department according to the request of one of its big customers.
The wall on which the rail will be installed can be pre-drilled: the position is studied and fixed at the design stage.
Installation requires only two pipes instead of four, and water connections are two instead of four (as required for the more usual sliding track application).
Testing of the water connection can be done in advance before the work inside the bathroom is completed.
Placement of the slide rail is done only when the bathroom is complete and does not require any tools: two chrome-plated brass plug-in fittings provide the attachment of the slide rail and the water openings: hot water below, cold water above.
There is no risk of damaging surfaces or other bathroom components during installation, nor of damaging the slide rail itself.
Maintenance is easier because all components are not inside or behind the wall.
In the event of a leak, the water goes into the shower pan and is immediately visible.
The design of the new sliding rail features a 25mm cartridge and hose connection for the hand shower directly on the body of the rail.This system allows for a very compact cartridge or valve mixer assembly and avoids additional connections and hoses. between the control and the hand shower.
3. Article: 9040
In response to the frequently asked question about a square-type mixer, Elka has designed a new tip-up with a 25-mm cartridge made entirely of brass. The dimensions are extremely compact and, like all the mixers in the Tip-Up collection, the lever opens from the bottom upward so as to avoid accidental opening while sailing.
The spout is equipped with a new water-saving aerator: it reduces water consumption by up to 30 percent compared to the same faucet without an aerator.
In addition, the spout can rotate 360° around its axis as well as around the axis of the faucet, making it also suitable for installations inside the sink bowl
4. Article: DO.2017AISI316
Elka introduces to the market the first built-in shower with integrated mixer completely made of AISI316 steel. This is an evolution of the DO.2017 model, the same product concept made of aluminum and intended for those vessels where special attention to weight containment is required.
The steel model, on the other hand, is intended primarily for installation on decks, near wet areas such as sumps, beach areas, and swimming pools. Thanks to the integrated cartridge, it is possible, with a single movement, to open, close the water and adjust the temperature for maximum comfort.
Once stowed in its base, the shower literally disappears from view as it has no protruding parts: just a slight pressure on the cap at its end is enough and thanks to a spring mechanism the shower protrudes by as much as necessary so that it can be easily grasped and pulled out.
5. Article: D_641501
Elka continues its path devoted to the pursuit of maximum space containment to allow the installation of products that until recently were impossible to find aboard boats.
And once again, design is expressed in its purest form, where form follows the function for which the object was designed.
The Spazio 35 collection consists of square, round and rectangular showerheads made of AISI 316 steel and characterized by a maximum total thickness of 35mm: this makes it possible to install them even in the narrowest false ceilings, thanks also to the water inlet that is not perpendicular but parallel to the shower tray. In this way, the user can take advantage of the full height of the shower and achieve higher levels of comfort in installation, compared to the use of traditional showerheads.
In addition to the different finishes available, the customer can choose whether to equip the showerhead with LEDs for chromotherapy or ambient lighting, and whether to prefer fixing with screws or springs, depending on the type of vessel.
Advantages of High Quality Nautical Taps
Durability and Longevity
High-quality nautical faucets are designed to last, withstanding adverse environmental conditions and heavy use. This reduces the need for frequent replacement and costly maintenance.
Efficiency and Savings
The use of advanced technologies and high-quality materials improves water efficiency and reduces waste, contributing to significant long-term savings.
Aesthetics and Value Added
A sleek, modern design not only enhances the appearance of the boat, but also adds value to it. High-quality faucets are a sign of attention to detail and an investment in quality.
Conclusion
Nautical faucets are a key component in ensuring comfort and functionality aboard boats. Technological advancement, sustainability and innovative design are key elements that define today's faucets. Companies like Elka are leading the industry with products that combine aesthetics, durability and efficiency, meeting the needs of modern boaters. Investing in high-quality marine faucets is essential to enhancing the onboard experience and ensuring long plumbing life.
For more information about Elka products and to explore our range of innovative designs, visit Elka's official website.