Head advice?

[aboardduet]

Hi Peggy......

We've lived aboard our 37c for 20 years, most of them with a WC #51 Skipper Junior. Last year the infamous aluminum holding tank burst, and per your advice, found a tank in Ronco's catalog (#225) that fit perfectly in the forepeak. At the same time, we replaced the Skipper Jr. with a new WC that has been unsatisfactory. Not sure of the Model, but it cost under $200, and keeps leaking at the base of the bowl despite repeated nut-tightening.

My Quandry:

Would I be better off sending the Skipper Jdr. to a competent shop for a proper rebuild, or use the $$$ to purchase a Raritan? The Skipper is complete, but I think I made an error in the re-assembly during a rebuild years ago, because it kept inserting dirty water during the flush action.

Thanks Peggy,

Dave

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I think your <$200 W-C toilet is a Headmate...and you MAY be causing the leak by over-tightening the bowl mounting bolts. Omitting the bowl seal (rubber "pancake with a hole in the middle would also cause it to leak.

As you may or may not know, Thetford-Norcold has owned W-C for several years now...and at the end of last year Thetford discontinued all W-C toilets, effectively ending the W-C brand name. They'll continue to support the Skipper Jr., Headmate and the electric Newport for a while (read: as short a time as they dare), but mostly only with rebuild kits...no parts once existing inventory of parts is gone.

So except for a maybe a new bowl seal for your Headmate to stop the leak, I wouldn't recommend putting ANY money into a toilet that's now obsolete...keep your bowl and replace with PH II or PHC "conversion" (everything but the bowl, seat and lid). If you still have the bowl for your Skipper, go with the full size PHII (part # PHIILBA)...the PHC can only use the small bowl...part # for the PHC "conversion" is PHCLBA). The sbo.com chandlery has both for a GREAT price!

 

[aboardduet]

Thanks very much Peggy, I'll follow your welcome advice and trash both WC's, and join the 21st century!!!

Dave