Hello- I'm in the process of replacing the head and hoses on my H31. After what I thought was careful measuring, I bought a Raritan Cricket head, recommended by Peggy Hall. I was disappointed to find that this head does not fit on the bump up platform that the head sits on. The platform is not deep enough to allow room for the workings on the back of this model head. Have any of you succeeded in installing this model on your H31? If so, how did you do it? Also have any of you found a different model head that is both good quality and a better fit? Thanks in advance, Laura Bertran 1985 H31, Rising Tide
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Michael O'
H31 Replacement Head
I replaced my head a few years ago and contacted Sealand Technology, since they made the original. Since then they've gone high tech with vacuum flush models. However, they may know who has the old stock! (you know it will fit) The company is located in Amish country in Ohio. I actually drove down to meet the people at the plant. Very nice folks! SeaLand Technology, Inc. 13128 State Rt 226, P.O. Box 38 Big Prairie, OH 44611 330-496-3211 - Phone 330-496-3097 - Fax 800-321-9886 - Hotline
I replaced my head a few years ago and contacted Sealand Technology, since they made the original. Since then they've gone high tech with vacuum flush models. However, they may know who has the old stock! (you know it will fit) The company is located in Amish country in Ohio. I actually drove down to meet the people at the plant. Very nice folks! SeaLand Technology, Inc. 13128 State Rt 226, P.O. Box 38 Big Prairie, OH 44611 330-496-3211 - Phone 330-496-3097 - Fax 800-321-9886 - Hotline
Does it fit if you push it all the way back?
Laura: Does the head sit on the platform if you push it all the way back on the platform? I would stay away from using a teak platform to mount it on, this is going to become nasty and unsanitary quickly. Maybe you could find some type of plastic that would work! Something that would be easy to clean and keep sanitary. We used a Jabsco. They are OK but really not the best units on the market. The Groco seems to be better but not sure I like them either. Is the Cricket you purchased, the one with the small bowl? I think that they have two models.
Laura: Does the head sit on the platform if you push it all the way back on the platform? I would stay away from using a teak platform to mount it on, this is going to become nasty and unsanitary quickly. Maybe you could find some type of plastic that would work! Something that would be easy to clean and keep sanitary. We used a Jabsco. They are OK but really not the best units on the market. The Groco seems to be better but not sure I like them either. Is the Cricket you purchased, the one with the small bowl? I think that they have two models.
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Laura Bertran
Steve,
It won't fit on the platform even when pushed all the way back. I got the only Cricket they had at this store, so I don't know if I could have gotten a smaller bowl. But it's not really the bowl that's the problem. It's been suggested that I bolt a larger base onto the platform and mount the head to that. This sounds like my best option and I will try it. For the hygene reasons that you point out, I'll try making the base out of plastic board. Thanks, Laura
It won't fit on the platform even when pushed all the way back. I got the only Cricket they had at this store, so I don't know if I could have gotten a smaller bowl. But it's not really the bowl that's the problem. It's been suggested that I bolt a larger base onto the platform and mount the head to that. This sounds like my best option and I will try it. For the hygene reasons that you point out, I'll try making the base out of plastic board. Thanks, Laura
Plastic or Stainless Steel!
Laura: This really does sound like your best option. You may also want to consider a stainless plate. I assume that you will need to raise your shower seat (or remove it completely) because of the pump handle! If you can post some pictures of your completed job, it would be appreciated. You are tackling a job that I have put off. I decided to go with a Jabsco just because of the problems that you are now facing. Be very careful when you bore the holes for the extension shelf. You want to be sure that the lag bolts are not even close to the hull. They need to penetrate the platform but should be clear of the hull by at least 1/2" so they do not rub with the hull flexs. This happened to a friend with another Hunter (not a H'31). Also do not forget to fill any old holes in the platform with caulking. This will prevent any water from getting into the platform and possibly rotting it. You also want to caulk the new holes for the same reason.
Laura: This really does sound like your best option. You may also want to consider a stainless plate. I assume that you will need to raise your shower seat (or remove it completely) because of the pump handle! If you can post some pictures of your completed job, it would be appreciated. You are tackling a job that I have put off. I decided to go with a Jabsco just because of the problems that you are now facing. Be very careful when you bore the holes for the extension shelf. You want to be sure that the lag bolts are not even close to the hull. They need to penetrate the platform but should be clear of the hull by at least 1/2" so they do not rub with the hull flexs. This happened to a friend with another Hunter (not a H'31). Also do not forget to fill any old holes in the platform with caulking. This will prevent any water from getting into the platform and possibly rotting it. You also want to caulk the new holes for the same reason.
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Sam Lust
RETURN the CRICKET !!!
I've been through this. 1 - It will not work as advertised when mounted brelow water line as on a sail boat. And I don't care what Peggy says. I've done it and she hasn't, and Raritan agrees. 2 - To rebuild the cricket you have to pull the entire thing out and turn it upside down. That's not fun even with a new one. Do yourself a favor and see if you can cram a PH II inn there.The measurement diagrams are available on their web site. It has a footpring similar to the orriginal toilet and most likely will fit, and it's a quality unit. If not just get a Jabsco. They,re cheap, supplied on a surprising number of top quality boats as original equipment and when they need a rebuild you just replace the whole shebang. The difference in the bowl sizes is only front to back. The larger one is the size of a standard domestic toilet. I had to make up an adapter plate to fit the PH II into my H 33 to compensate for weird angles where it sits. I used HDPE (high density polyethylene). This is the plastic used as the anti-friction surface under conveyor belts and NOTHING will stick to it. Very costly. Also very easy to work with standard wood working tools. Check yellow pages under "Plastic".
I've been through this. 1 - It will not work as advertised when mounted brelow water line as on a sail boat. And I don't care what Peggy says. I've done it and she hasn't, and Raritan agrees. 2 - To rebuild the cricket you have to pull the entire thing out and turn it upside down. That's not fun even with a new one. Do yourself a favor and see if you can cram a PH II inn there.The measurement diagrams are available on their web site. It has a footpring similar to the orriginal toilet and most likely will fit, and it's a quality unit. If not just get a Jabsco. They,re cheap, supplied on a surprising number of top quality boats as original equipment and when they need a rebuild you just replace the whole shebang. The difference in the bowl sizes is only front to back. The larger one is the size of a standard domestic toilet. I had to make up an adapter plate to fit the PH II into my H 33 to compensate for weird angles where it sits. I used HDPE (high density polyethylene). This is the plastic used as the anti-friction surface under conveyor belts and NOTHING will stick to it. Very costly. Also very easy to work with standard wood working tools. Check yellow pages under "Plastic".
J
John Noland
Look at the groco's
Take a look at the Groco. They might work, and they have a very similar hose hook-up.
Take a look at the Groco. They might work, and they have a very similar hose hook-up.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Steve, Sam...
I missed this thread till now, or I'd have chimed in much sooner... Steve, why would a varnished teak mounting board--properly sealed around the edges--become "nasty and unsanitary" any faster than a teak sole? Or a gelcoated sole...or metal or plastic, for that matter? You object to a teak platform, but recommend a teak shower sump drain--something that, unlike the sole or platform under a head, STAYS wet and yucky??? Sam, I don't know who you talked to at Raritan, but the Cricket WILL work below the waterline...Water will rise in the bowl of any toilet that's below the waterline if the some installations require a vented loop. As for rebuilding it, yes--you do have to take it off and turn it upside down. But it only NEEDS rebuilding about as often as a piston/cylinder toilet needs a complete new pump assembly (which also requires removing the bowl, if not turning it upside down)...in fact, the "rebuild" kit for the Cricket IS the entire pump assembly except for the housing. That's one of the beauties of the Cricket. However, unfortunately it won't fit in some very small head compartments...and Laura, it may not be the toilet for your boat. In which case, Sam did give you one bit of good advice: check out the Raritan PH II. It's been rated the best manual toilet under $500 for a couple of decades.
I missed this thread till now, or I'd have chimed in much sooner... Steve, why would a varnished teak mounting board--properly sealed around the edges--become "nasty and unsanitary" any faster than a teak sole? Or a gelcoated sole...or metal or plastic, for that matter? You object to a teak platform, but recommend a teak shower sump drain--something that, unlike the sole or platform under a head, STAYS wet and yucky??? Sam, I don't know who you talked to at Raritan, but the Cricket WILL work below the waterline...Water will rise in the bowl of any toilet that's below the waterline if the some installations require a vented loop. As for rebuilding it, yes--you do have to take it off and turn it upside down. But it only NEEDS rebuilding about as often as a piston/cylinder toilet needs a complete new pump assembly (which also requires removing the bowl, if not turning it upside down)...in fact, the "rebuild" kit for the Cricket IS the entire pump assembly except for the housing. That's one of the beauties of the Cricket. However, unfortunately it won't fit in some very small head compartments...and Laura, it may not be the toilet for your boat. In which case, Sam did give you one bit of good advice: check out the Raritan PH II. It's been rated the best manual toilet under $500 for a couple of decades.
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Laura Bertran
Trying the PH II
Thanks, everybody for your thoughts. I exchanged the Cricket for a PH II marine model(more compact). I haven't installed it yet but it looks like it will just fit.
Thanks, everybody for your thoughts. I exchanged the Cricket for a PH II marine model(more compact). I haven't installed it yet but it looks like it will just fit.
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