After owning a Wet Spot water softening system while captain of a previous vessel and being duped by my favorite marine supplier into buying a supposedly "superior" product, I feel gratified to have this opportunity to set the record straight. I will never connect to a shore-based water system without a Wet Spot again.

I recently took a tour of Wet Spot's manufacturing facility in Pompano Beach, Fla., and was impressed. The effervescent passion in owner Charlene Strauss' eyes reflects her company's passion for its product, and she was incredibly articulate in explaining the scientific manner in which WetSpot's Ionic Exchange Resin keeps harsh water spots off yachts, aircraft or cars.

Hard water spots are not only unsightly, but the calcium, magnesium, iron and lime left behind can leave permanent etched marks. These same hard water minerals, if not removed before entering a vessel's tanks, can clog pumps, shower heads, dish washers and washing machines.

Wet Spot's IER fills the white tube that sits on a dock next to the obligatory five micron and activated charcoal filter canisters for a vessel's water intake. It works like a magnet to attract the calcium, magnesium and other minerals. These minerals are held until back flushed with a recharge. Now here comes the most important item in the entire process: All water softeners must be recharged.

I am always amused when I hear deckhands whining that their water softeners don't work, that there are still spots on the yacht's finish. When I ask when they last recharged their white tube, I get blank looks.

Folks, you have to take the time to send pure saltwater back through the tube, thus recharging the system. This is the process that releases the minerals trapped by the IER. With a Wet Spot, this process is made brain-dead easy since a small canister that can be easily packed with water softener pellets or rock salt comes with each system.

How often do you recharge the Wet Spot tube? I watch the bubbling action when filling a bucket with fresh water after first adding a half cup of boat soap. Not much bubbling? Time for a recharge. Also, a test kit is included with each Wet Spot for a more accurate reading of the IER's condition. On average in Ft. Lauderdale, I recharge my system every three months.

WetSpots come in three sizes: the Plus model for vessels up to 70 feet, the Heavy Duty model for up to 100 feet, and the Super model for vessels up to 200 feet.

Do not be duped by vastly inferior water softener "white tubes" being hustled in today's market. WetSpot has been in business 14 years. This is the company that takes great pains to continually improve the product, using only the finest in nickel-plated and marine-grade stainless steel fittings.

The Wet Spot white tube is distinctive in that it has a highly functional wheel-and-handle arrangement for ease of maneuvering from a vessel's lazarette to the dock. The system's exterior PVC labels are printed with UVC-protected inks and will not take on an ugly faded look as my so-called "superior" tube has.

A most impressive aspect of owning a Wet Spot is the company's 12-year warranty. Sure, a WetSpot costs a little more, but you get what you pay for in this world. The company offers a large selection of accessories and replacement parts including dock pre-filter housings and filters.

Additionally, Wet Spot recently has brought on board the most beautiful stainless steel water softener for below-deck installations in the discriminating yacht arena. These units have their own brine tank with automatic recharging. Guests will be thrilled with the results of washing their hair with a Wet Spot water softening system.

In Ft. Lauderdale, Wet Spots are available at Boat Owner's Warehouse and at Lewis Marine. A list of distributors is on the Wet Spot's Web site. For more information contact Strause at 888-493-8776, charlene@softwetspot.com  or online at www.softwetspot.com .

Capt. David Hare runs the 70-foot Delta expedition yacht M/V Thunder and is a regular contributor to The Triton. He is currently looking for a captain's position on a yacht over 100 GRT. Contact him at david@hare.com . If you have a product you'd like to see reviewed, contact Editor Lucy Chabot Reed at lucy@the-triton.com .