Groco head

[Paul Jaudon]

Does anyone know the differences between the Groco He and Hf models? The head on my '85 C27 is in need of repair and I don't know which kit to purchase. Thanks,Paul JaudonSV Second Star #5923

 

[Dan]

I found the HF rebuild kit for about $75 At West Marine. I hope it workes for you. The pump part was straight forward but the reason I was rebuilding in the first place is because the tank was leaking back into the bowl when we are on a port tack. I was told it was a joker valve which i replaced first and then re-built the head ( and replaced it again with the kit) Still it's syphoning in again. This is an original factory install.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

HE is obsolete, HF is current version

If you're toilet is original--which I doubt, 'cuz I can't remember when Catalina OEM installed toilets have been anything but Jabsco--it's most likely an HE. Since the kits are not interchangeable, you need to be certain...and the only way to do that is, call Groco on Monday.But whether it's the current HF or the obsolete HE, I wouldn't put any money into an 18 year toilet in that price range. Groco estimates the average lifespan for their compact manuals to about 9 years...if it's any older--and especially if it's an HE--you're better off just replacing it.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Wrong cure for that problem

I wouldn't spend $75 on a toilet that can be replaced for about $125. And especially not one that old. Neither a joker valve nor rebuilding the toilet will cure holding tank runback. The only cures are:1. install a loop in the head discharge hose that's higher than waste can climb over at any angle of heel.2. Move the inlet fitting--and prob'ly the vent fitting too, 'cuz if waste is running back toward the head when you're heeled, it's prob'ly running out the vent too--on the tank away from the hull, to the side of the tank that's toward the centerline of the boat. Once a tank has been installed with the fittings in the wrong place, the loop is the only practical option. However, when installing or replacing a tank, always spec the fittings toward the centerline of the boat. Why? Because when you're heeled on one tack, waste flows to the opposite side of the tank...when you're heeled on the other tack, the inlet and vent lines are running uphill. Unfortunately, few if any boat builders and yards have figured this out yet.

 

[Paul Jaudon]

Replacement Options

Thanks, Peggie. You're not the only person that suggested replacing the head. The question now is what to replace it with? I'm looking for ease of installation and low on cost.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Cost is relative...

Ease--or not--of installation is about the same for all manual toilets. But when it comes to cost, you have to balance purchase price against durability and reliability. If you're only gonna keep the boat another year or two, go for the cheapest...but if you plan to keep it 5 years or longer, you're better off spending a bit more up front..."pay a little more now or pay a lot more later"--in both money AND aggravation. You can buy a Jabsco for $100 on sale...with luck, good for 5 years if nothing breaks. Or you can spend +/- $250 for a Raritan PH II or PHC (compact version--same pump on a smaller base) and have a toilet that'll swallow more without clogging and work reliably for at least 20 years if you just keep it properly lubricated and rebuild it about every 5 years.