Electric Lavac vs Raritan

[Colin Wightman]

As the saying goes: "That's all I can stand, I can't stands no more!" After spending almost half of a wonderful day with smooth waters and light breezes down below removing what I conservatively estimate to at least half a roll of paper that my mother-in-law deposited in the head (with other unmentionables) I have had it with the whole ugly contraption...it leaks, clogs, sprays, and is generally cantankerous at any and all times. Given the other posts here, I shouldn't be surprised: its a 1990 Jabsco original on my Catalina.So, the time has come to replace the beast. Given the occaisional presence of less-than-seamanlike-relatives, and the almost constant presence of young children, electric toilets are quite attractive. Given the size of my holding tank, low flush volumes are also VERY attractive. After digging through the archives, I've narrowed things down to either a Raritan macerating toilet (either the Crown II or the Atlantes, depending on the measurements I'll be making this weekend) or the Lavac with an electric pump.Does anybody have experience, observations, or rabid opinions that might lead towards one head or the other?

 

[Tom]

In-laws and children

The problem isn't "in the head", but resides with the operator. Get rid of the mother-in-law. My high-pressure toilet at home will have trouble with trying to stuff half a roll of paper down it, let alone have a problem with a marine head. Most heads would have trouble with lots of paper.Also, if you go with an electric macerating type of head and have young children around, I would think you'd use more water (and hence have less free holding tank volume), as the kids would be very attracted to operating the head, listening to the whirl, and do the deed multiple times just for the thrill. My 2-year old is already very attracted to our manual head, so we have to keep the door closed at all times.

 

[bob]

based on peggy the head mistress' advice....

i bought a crown ii macerating head for my h40.5, and i couldn't be more pleased...it has a totally enclosed fresh water circuit, which eliminates most of the smell...

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Replacing the toilet won't solve ALL the problems

Granted, it's a 10 year old Jabsco, and does need replacing...but no toilet in the world will handle half a roll of TP, and you haven't lived until you've had to clear a wad of TP out of the macerator in a toilet. You seem to want a "bullet proof" marine toilet...it doesn't exist. Pick the toilet you like best, and when you're expecting landlubber guests, put a "diaper pail" in the head with FIRM instructions that NOTHING goes down the toilet that has been eaten first. There's no other solution to your MIL and kids that isn't likely to leave you with a clogged toilet, no matter what head you choose. I dunno what size your boat is, but unless the head is big enough for a porcelain bowl that's a full 19" from front to back, an Atlantes won't fit. And I don't think you'll be any happier with an electric Lavac--especially since there's only one supplier for it in the US--than you'll be with a Rarita Sea Era or Crown II. And if it were MY sailboat, I'd go with the Sea Era.

 

[Kevin Greene]

losing my head

adding an electric head to a small boat is not always the best choice. Most of the electric heads handle much less volume then the manual ones. This is becasue a comprible sized electric head would be much larger than the one installed on your boat now. so a downgrade in port size is most often required to accomidate the smaller pump. I find a manual head will always handle a greater amount of abuse when it comes to land lubers. I would try rebuilding your Jabsco, it is one of the best heads out there. Also you have to do what we call "the nasty"!! take the discharge hose off toilet and either replace it or bang it on the dock to remove all the hard ichy calcium. Youll find clearing that line along will greatly increase your flushing luck!