Hunter 31 Owners, How have you upgraded your head

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
To get this started, my wife hates the head on our 1983 H31. And now refuses to do overnights on the boat for this reason. I need to come up with a good solution so that I can enjoy her company for cruising.

Previous owner removed the Marine head and installed a Porta Potti connected to our pump-out on the deck. The admiral's big issue is that the head space itself is so small that she cannot drop trow and sit down with the door closed. I do not know if this is dues to the size of the Porta Potti, but I do not think it sticks out any more than the original head did.

I am considering the complete removal of the sink and cabinet in there, to make it feel roomier, but I am not sure if this will be enough.

What have you done? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,709
- - LIttle Rock
Before doing anything you need to take some measurements...how far does the potty stick out? Further, less or the same as a compact toilet...? You'll find dimensions on the mfr's websites.

You might also investigate whether it would be possible to re-position the potty just enough to give her the room she needs. I'd hate to see you remove the sink and vanity entirely...maybe a smaller vanity? Larger boat? :)
 
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pateco

.
Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Peggie,

I will try to get measurements and some pictures tonight, after our Beer Can Race.

I forgot to mention that when the Marine head was removed, the V-berth waste tank that is molded into the liner, was cut open and turned into storage space by the Previous owner, so going back to a marine head would be a big job.
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,709
- - LIttle Rock
Not to mention expensive! I'll bet we can figure out how to make the existing system work...it could be as simple as just moving it a few inches--If we can find those few inches.
A bit of "scattershot" thinking out loud: How much more clearance in front of her knees does she need to be able to close the door. Is there any space behind the throne? Beside it to slide it over? If you could re-hang the head door to close the other direction, would that help? Does the door open in or out?
 
Sep 4, 2007
764
Hunter 33.5 Elbow, Saskatchwen, Can.
The head in the 34 is much the same size as the 31. Only the vanity is on the opposite side from the head/shower.
I have considered moving and rehanging the head door so that it closes off the salon from the head/vanity and Vee-berth. The only problem with that is if someone is using the vee- berth to sleep in. You would have to close their door as well.
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,709
- - LIttle Rock
They'd only be sleeping in the middle of the night, so anyone else who has to get up to use the head just needs to make sure they're verrrrry quiet about it. Flushing can wait till morning.
 

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Peggie,

As you can see from the photos below, there is barely room for your feet between the porta potti, and the door frame. Someone with size 12s would probably have to angle their feet to shut the door. The pump-out hose connection is on the lower back on the potti, so there is no more room to move it backward in the head as the hose 90° is right against the hull, and travels towards the bow and then up through the cabinets to the deck fitting.
2017-06-21 20.56.29.jpg 2017-06-21 20.57.05.jpg

Also the door is hinged in such a way that it either encloses the head, or when swung out 90°, encloses the V-berth.

2017-06-21 20.57.36.jpg
 

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Dec 2, 1997
8,709
- - LIttle Rock
What's that tall thing in the corner behind it?

That portapotty doesn't appear to be a newer model. Measure it front-back, then check your measurements against the current versions of the SeaLand Sanipottie 975 MSD (13-1/8" W x 15-1/4" D x 15-1/4" H) and the Thetford 550P MSD (16-1/2" H x 15" W x 16-1/2" D) The SeaLand is 1.25" shorter front/back than the Thetford. That the vent and pumpout fittings are on the top (with pickup tube inside the tank) instead of out the side should also give you a little more room beside and behind it.
 

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Peggie,

After your suggestion and some research, I just ordered the SeaLand SaniPottie 975MSD Toilet with MSD Fittings.
SaniPoti.jpg

Hopefully this will give me about 6 inches more deck depth in the head after I rebuild the base to fit it..
 
Mar 20, 2011
623
Hunter 31_83-87 New Orleans
Chip - i redid the head area completely and removed the peeling melamine finish and installed a Raritan electric head. Admiral very happy and I eventually went back and added freshwater flush capabilities. I had to build out a triangular platform using the angled empty space for the head to fully fit and there is still plenty of room in the head. See attached photos for the platform added. PM me if you need any addl info. good luck - Jerry
 

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SFS

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Aug 18, 2015
2,066
Currently Boatless Okinawa
Chip, I hope the new porta potty does the trick, but if it doesnt, and you need some more room to slide the whole thing back, do what I did when I replaced a Jabsco with a Raritan Superflush. I made a 5" thick platform (epoxy coated) the same dimensions as the deck that the toilet sits on. I also cut out some of the melamine covered MDF to make that opening just behind the toilet a little wider. The combination allowed me to slide the Raritan further back (and freed up access to the toilet fittings). I suspect you could do the same if you needed.

I'm not sure I have pics, and I'm in the middle of a move, so can't get you any anytime soon. But you can call me if you want to talk about it.
 
Mar 20, 2011
623
Hunter 31_83-87 New Orleans
Peggie. Followed Raritan instructions for tying into electrical with a dedicated circuit and Raritan instructions for tying into FW system.
 

pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
So, the renovations have begun.

Here are some before pictures
2017-07-01 20.42.43.jpg 2017-06-21 20.57.12.jpg
New head arrived, and should give us the extra floor space we were looking for. We also decided on a tile pattern to resurface the counter top.
2017-07-01 20.42.05.jpg
 
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pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Demo begins.
Removed the old Porta Potti.

2017-07-02 13.43.12.jpg

With the added support base removed, the Shower sump grate could be removed. Probably first time since the head was replaced. Man it was dirty.
2017-07-02 23.44.50.jpg
It cleaned up pretty well. I found evidence that the compression post has been replaced at least once.

2017-07-02 23.58.58.jpg
Shortened the support base, and test fit the new Potti.

2017-07-02 22.42.50.jpg
 
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pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Time for sanding filling patching and painting

Removed tho old dead mirror
2017-07-03 11.49.39.jpg
Removed all of junk hanging off the walls, as well as the teak trim. Then I filled all the excess screw holes, and sanded.

2017-07-03 14.46.26.jpg
2017-07-03 14.46.35.jpg
First Coat of Paint (RustOleum Topside White)
2017-07-03 23.34.47.jpg

Already a night and day difference

2017-07-03 23.27.11.jpg
 
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pateco

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Aug 12, 2014
2,207
Hunter 31 (1983) Pompano Beach FL
Tile Time

Beginning to cut and dry fit the glass tiles

2017-07-04 15.29.16.jpg
Lots of glass cutting to fit these curves

2017-07-06 19.46.51.jpg
Everything dry fit

2017-07-06 20.58.10.jpg
Tile is set

2017-07-06 22.01.19.jpg
This is where I stopped last night.
Grouting tonight, and hopefully reinstalling the plumbing and teak trim tomorrow morning before an afternoon sail.
 
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SFS

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Aug 18, 2015
2,066
Currently Boatless Okinawa
Great job, Chip. Questions for you:
1) How did you take the mirror down? Mine is in similar shape, and appears to be glued in place.
2) What will you do (if anything) about a replacement mirror?
3) How will you (if at all) attach the pull-out faucet head to a wall to take a shower?