flush toilet in mac. 26c

Status
Not open for further replies.
Apr 8, 2011
10
macgregor 26s lewisport newfoundland
Has anyone installed a flush toilet in a mac. 26c. I am aware of the ballast tank and all the plumbing requirements, just Would like to hear from anyone who has has done this mod. and if there were any surprises in doing so.
The missus likes here creature comforts.
:confused:
 

Doug J

.
May 2, 2005
1,192
Hunter 26 Oceanside, CA
Since you're asking about installation of a flush toilet, I assume your favorite sailing areas have pump out stations.

IMHO the easiest way to go is an MSD, with deck pump out, there are several to choose from. Does your boat already have a porta-pottie? Mine came OEM with a SaniPottie 965, 2.5gal. I upgraded to a SaniPottie 965 MSD, 5 gal, and plumbed it for deck pump-out. But it can also be manually dumped if necessary. And can easily be taken off the boat for a good cleaning.

There's a couple reasons I went with that one. 1) it fit perfectly into the same footprint of the old one's hold down brackets. I just replaced the old brackets with taller ones to accommodate a 5 gal holding tank. 2) I knew I wanted more holding capacity, and this 5 gal model added the least amount of height, considering the limited head room in the 26C's.

You could install a porcelain marine head with separate holding tank, I've seen pictures of 26C's with them installed. I didn't go with that because you then need to determine where the holding tank will go, and that would take up valuable space for other things, such as batteries, fresh water tank, storage, etc. That's why I think the MSD is the best way to go, it takes up no more real estate than the head you already have. And the installation is much easier.

The Sealand Deluxe "features a pressurized water tank for powerful, freshwater flushing action at the touch of a button". Which might be nice, I looked at it and noticed the lever you pull to dump had a plastic shaft, which I was sure would break someday. Sure wouldn't want to be stuck out sailing with no way to close the holding tank! The SaniPotties use the same kind of holding tank valve used on RV's with a SS shaft. They're made of high density polyethylene. I still have the OEM one, still looks and works like new, after 22 years! Plus all the parts are easily replaceable. Same design, same parts all these years later. When there's a good design why change it!

I bought mine from this place, they also have all parts available.
http://www.northeastsanitation.com/...in_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=237

I suppose a porcelain marine head is the closest you'll get to a residential type flush toilet, but may be somewhat impractical for our boats. MSD with deck pump-out is the next best thing in my view, they use water in the bowl, and there's no unpleasant smell when you use the right holding tank treatment.

Here's my installation.



No hose clamps yet in this picture, but you can see how easy it is to disconnect the hoses for manual dump, or removal for cleaning.


It's easy to run the hoses straight up for pump-out deck fitting and vent. The cabinet I made holds and hides the hoses nicely.




http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d64/doug91mac26s/Head/

-Doug
 

Doug J

.
May 2, 2005
1,192
Hunter 26 Oceanside, CA
I didn't install a direct overboard discharge yet, I may at some point, it can always be added. For now I'm going with the KISS principle. The way my installation is now, not much to go wrong, no valves or pumps.
 
May 31, 2010
4
MacGregor 26S St. Louis
Additional Parts list for installation

Doug,

What a great set up. I would like to follow your recommendation for an identical installation on my Mac 26C. Do you have a parts list for the pump out and MSD connection to the SaniPottie 965?

Andy
 
May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
what keeps it from sliding side to side?

mine has a metal bracket on each side bolted to the floor.
 

Doug J

.
May 2, 2005
1,192
Hunter 26 Oceanside, CA
Doug,
What a great set up. I would like to follow your recommendation for an identical installation on my Mac 26C. Do you have a parts list for the pump out and MSD connection to the SaniPottie 965?
Andy
Very few parts involved.

Got the SaniPottie 965 MSD, Stainless Steel deck waste pump out fitting, and 5ft of hose for both the pump out fitting and the vent from; http://www.northeastsanitation.com/ Real good people, I'd recommend purchasing from them. At the time I found they had the best price.

I got the Thru-Hull Vent from West Marine.

I needed to get some additional parts from Home Depot to make the connections to the holding tank. If you plan to make a cabinet, and run the hoses up the side like I did, you'll need some elbow parts to make the connections on the holding tank. That discharge hose is real hard to bend, I may still add another elbow to make the turn easier.

Couldn't find a pic of the plastic sink wall pipe I used, here's a pic of a metal one. Be sure to use plastic though.

I posted info on this mod here; http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=1500
 

Attachments

Doug J

.
May 2, 2005
1,192
Hunter 26 Oceanside, CA
what keeps it from sliding side to side?
mine has a metal bracket on each side bolted to the floor.
I have a Dometic Sealand Sanipottie, which has SS brackets on either side. There's large clamps that latch on to the brackets to hold it down. Plus there's indentations in the holding tank where the SS brackets slip into, which prevents any forward/backward movement. It's held in place real good!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.