Seeing as how Susan isn't exactly thrilled about hauling solid waste to the beach in plastic bags anymore, it seems to be time to seriously explore installing a flushing marine head in our 1994 H26. Has anyone gained any experience in this kind of installation? I'd be interested in any info covering any aspect of the project. What type head, mounting, piping type and size, routing, thru-hull type and location. Many thanks in advance! Walt J Shammah
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marine head info
I'm not sure about your specific model but I am having a marine head with macerator and holding tank installed in my Hunter 240. The work is being done by a local dealer however I followed the guidelines of an article I found on marine sanitation. Email me if you would like the URL to the article. The actual head I used is a Jabsco (the same one that is optional on a new 260), with a 10 gallon holding tank. It will be configured for both deck pump out or thru hull discharge. I paid $1000 US installed. I will be picking up the boat later this week. It's a fair amount of money but I expect there will be no more arguments with my significant other on who will dump the porta potti! Colin logan0171@yahoo.com
I'm not sure about your specific model but I am having a marine head with macerator and holding tank installed in my Hunter 240. The work is being done by a local dealer however I followed the guidelines of an article I found on marine sanitation. Email me if you would like the URL to the article. The actual head I used is a Jabsco (the same one that is optional on a new 260), with a 10 gallon holding tank. It will be configured for both deck pump out or thru hull discharge. I paid $1000 US installed. I will be picking up the boat later this week. It's a fair amount of money but I expect there will be no more arguments with my significant other on who will dump the porta potti! Colin logan0171@yahoo.com
Two ways to do it.
Walt: There are two ways to do this. The cheap way or the correct way. If you do it the cheap way it will cost you more to redo it later. West Marine has some very good diagrams on the different ways it can actually be plumbed. The main this is to use HIGH quality hose and a HIGH quality tank (the thicker the better). These are the keys to the installation. The waste hose runs about $8-10/ft. And you will be suprised on how much you may need but going cheap here is NOT the place to save money. You also need two thru hulls and seacocks if you are going to have a overboard discharge (only one if you are only going to use pumpout station). You need a deck fitting for the pump out, a vent, a 'Y' valve (if you are going to have overboard discharge), a vented loop a bunch of hose clamps and a discharge pump (either manual or electic). Then you need to make a mounting platform for the holding tank and some strapping to hold the tank in place. Then you need a marine head. If someone can do this for you for $1000, that seems like a fair price. Can't imagine that anyone could do all of this in less than about 10-15 hours if they are starting from scratch.
Walt: There are two ways to do this. The cheap way or the correct way. If you do it the cheap way it will cost you more to redo it later. West Marine has some very good diagrams on the different ways it can actually be plumbed. The main this is to use HIGH quality hose and a HIGH quality tank (the thicker the better). These are the keys to the installation. The waste hose runs about $8-10/ft. And you will be suprised on how much you may need but going cheap here is NOT the place to save money. You also need two thru hulls and seacocks if you are going to have a overboard discharge (only one if you are only going to use pumpout station). You need a deck fitting for the pump out, a vent, a 'Y' valve (if you are going to have overboard discharge), a vented loop a bunch of hose clamps and a discharge pump (either manual or electic). Then you need to make a mounting platform for the holding tank and some strapping to hold the tank in place. Then you need a marine head. If someone can do this for you for $1000, that seems like a fair price. Can't imagine that anyone could do all of this in less than about 10-15 hours if they are starting from scratch.
The simplest way to do it:
Replace the portable portapotty with a permanently installed 5-6 gallong pumpable model. No additional plumbing except a pumpout hose and and vent. If you're determined to have a "real" toilet and holding tank, you'll find installation instructions in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the forum home page). You'll need at least a 15 gallon tank to hold as many flushes as the larger pumpable portapotty. As for which toilet, I highly recommend the Raritan Cricket. Rated one of the top two by Practical Sailor, fits in the same space as a compact, but is available with a full size bowl, and because it has a diaphragm pump under the bowl instead of the usual piston/cylinder pump beside the bowl, has no moving parts, and therefore no seals to wear...no periodic rebuilds.
Replace the portable portapotty with a permanently installed 5-6 gallong pumpable model. No additional plumbing except a pumpout hose and and vent. If you're determined to have a "real" toilet and holding tank, you'll find installation instructions in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the forum home page). You'll need at least a 15 gallon tank to hold as many flushes as the larger pumpable portapotty. As for which toilet, I highly recommend the Raritan Cricket. Rated one of the top two by Practical Sailor, fits in the same space as a compact, but is available with a full size bowl, and because it has a diaphragm pump under the bowl instead of the usual piston/cylinder pump beside the bowl, has no moving parts, and therefore no seals to wear...no periodic rebuilds.
head info URL
Here is the URL, but Peggie I'm pretty sure you've already seen it. http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/phall.htm
Here is the URL, but Peggie I'm pretty sure you've already seen it. http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/phall.htm
Yep, Colin...I've seen it 
There are also additional articles in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the forum home page) that you should find useful, including one one on replacing hoses, and one on installing a head and holding tank.
There are also additional articles in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the forum home page) that you should find useful, including one one on replacing hoses, and one on installing a head and holding tank.
Head installation on Hunter 240
I finally went to go see my boat today. I took some photos but unfortunately, for the time being, my website is down. Once avaialable I will post the photos at http://www.ckrweb.com/boat The head is installed in the V-berth, the same location where the stock porta potti was. It was an exact fit as there is about 1/4 inch clearance when the panel is down. The holding tank (10 gallon) etc is installed in the storage compartment in the V-berth as well. The deck pump out line runs to the anchor locker. We will be doing mostly day sailing so I hope the small holding tank is not a problem. If anyone wants the photos by email for now let me know by sending me an email. I have 3 photos at about 250K each. Colin logan0171@yahoo.com
I finally went to go see my boat today. I took some photos but unfortunately, for the time being, my website is down. Once avaialable I will post the photos at http://www.ckrweb.com/boat The head is installed in the V-berth, the same location where the stock porta potti was. It was an exact fit as there is about 1/4 inch clearance when the panel is down. The holding tank (10 gallon) etc is installed in the storage compartment in the V-berth as well. The deck pump out line runs to the anchor locker. We will be doing mostly day sailing so I hope the small holding tank is not a problem. If anyone wants the photos by email for now let me know by sending me an email. I have 3 photos at about 250K each. Colin logan0171@yahoo.com
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