I need to replace the head on my 30 ft. Citation. Would appreciate any suggestions or tips on the replacement and where to buy. This is my first non trailerable boat. Thanks. Bill D
Head Replacement
- Thread starter Bill D.
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heads here
Hi Bill, We've got heads here on this site. I personally like the Raritan PH2, the compact head is good too! What brand/model are you replacing? I'm always available during the week toll free 877-932-7245 ext.116, 9-5 west coast time. I'm happy to help if I can. Dave Groshong customer service SailboatOwners.com
Hi Bill, We've got heads here on this site. I personally like the Raritan PH2, the compact head is good too! What brand/model are you replacing? I'm always available during the week toll free 877-932-7245 ext.116, 9-5 west coast time. I'm happy to help if I can. Dave Groshong customer service SailboatOwners.com
I did this job ...
It was not fun, but it was VERY satisfying when completed!
The first thing I would do is identify which make and model you have already. Chances are, you can replace it in kind with very few complicating issues. For instance, my boat had the Wilcox Head-Mate and it may have been more than 20 years old if it had never been replaced before. The new replacement has exactly the same dimension and bolt locations so all I had to do was drop in the new one and tighten the nuts. The only difference was a change in the discharge hose location - not a problem since I repaced all the old hoses. Replacing all the old hoses was not a pleasant job but it had to be done! If you are thinking about changing the type that you now have, you will be asking for complications due to space and attachment configurations - that's your choice. Check here, hopefully they have your replacement; otherwise, go to the usual sources.
It was not fun, but it was VERY satisfying when completed!
The first thing I would do is identify which make and model you have already. Chances are, you can replace it in kind with very few complicating issues. For instance, my boat had the Wilcox Head-Mate and it may have been more than 20 years old if it had never been replaced before. The new replacement has exactly the same dimension and bolt locations so all I had to do was drop in the new one and tighten the nuts. The only difference was a change in the discharge hose location - not a problem since I repaced all the old hoses. Replacing all the old hoses was not a pleasant job but it had to be done! If you are thinking about changing the type that you now have, you will be asking for complications due to space and attachment configurations - that's your choice. Check here, hopefully they have your replacement; otherwise, go to the usual sources.Porta Potti
I am also replacing my head but am replacing it with a Porta Potti. Having a bad smell problem and have to either rebuild the head or do this. The pros for my use of the boat outweigh the one con. See attached link for a version on Defender. Pros Elimination of 2 through hulls Recover storage space in V-berth No smell since no pipes and no seawater in pipes. Can still pump out through deck. More than enough holding for day and weekend cruising. Cons Only 1 I have come across is somewhat smaller storage so in theory can't go as far between pump-outs. I have read posts that with the smaller volume of flush water 5 gallons can actually go a long way. May keep one through hull so I can pump out when I am far enough from land.
I am also replacing my head but am replacing it with a Porta Potti. Having a bad smell problem and have to either rebuild the head or do this. The pros for my use of the boat outweigh the one con. See attached link for a version on Defender. Pros Elimination of 2 through hulls Recover storage space in V-berth No smell since no pipes and no seawater in pipes. Can still pump out through deck. More than enough holding for day and weekend cruising. Cons Only 1 I have come across is somewhat smaller storage so in theory can't go as far between pump-outs. I have read posts that with the smaller volume of flush water 5 gallons can actually go a long way. May keep one through hull so I can pump out when I am far enough from land.
WHY
Not sure why you are replacing it. There isn't much in there to go wrong, and parts readily available to rebuild. For one hell of a lot less money. As for the smell, I don't have any at all, so far. I had a porta potti on the previous boat, with a deck pump out and it did smell when it got close to being full. I like the permanent head much, much better.
Not sure why you are replacing it. There isn't much in there to go wrong, and parts readily available to rebuild. For one hell of a lot less money. As for the smell, I don't have any at all, so far. I had a porta potti on the previous boat, with a deck pump out and it did smell when it got close to being full. I like the permanent head much, much better.
Bill didn't say if smell is an issue ...
When I did mine, the smell was pretty sour. I was going to simply replace the hoses and keep the old head since it worked reasonably well when we got the boat. The first winter, the yard didn't pump me out (they said they did) and the following spring, when recommissionong, the water sprayed through the pump handle so I figured I may as well throw it out and start fresh since they don't cost much to begin with. The holding tank was fine. I was glad I did. The sour smell from the head was just as bad as it was from the hoses. Replacing everything solved that problem! Now we can smell the musty bilge much better! :{ At least it is not nearly as objectionable!
When I did mine, the smell was pretty sour. I was going to simply replace the hoses and keep the old head since it worked reasonably well when we got the boat. The first winter, the yard didn't pump me out (they said they did) and the following spring, when recommissionong, the water sprayed through the pump handle so I figured I may as well throw it out and start fresh since they don't cost much to begin with. The holding tank was fine. I was glad I did. The sour smell from the head was just as bad as it was from the hoses. Replacing everything solved that problem!
Now we can smell the musty bilge much better! :{ At least it is not nearly as objectionable!
Head Job..
The current issue of Good Old Boat has a good article on the Irwin 30's..anyone who owns one should get this issue. My first boat was a Coronado 35.I replaced the entire Sanitation System on it when I got it due to Odors.If memory serves I used a Wilcox model that had the pump (similiar to manual bilge pumps that mount in cockpit) mounted on the wall beside the head (toilet).In a pinch you could pull the intake hose and attatch another one that lay in the floor of the boat to pump out the bilge..I liked the idea as a abckup to my primary and secondary systems since the boat went offshore a bit.Luckily,I never had to test the system that way.as for more mundane functions (i.e waste removal)it functioned very well.Yes do replace all old hoses..expensive but will make the job more complete and proper..meaning no more smell.I want to say the current issue of Sail or it's DIY component magazine has an article on that head and the install but not 100% sure I saw it there.They are sold thru Defenders (Defender.com) and most other worthwhile vendors. Good Luck.>>David
The current issue of Good Old Boat has a good article on the Irwin 30's..anyone who owns one should get this issue. My first boat was a Coronado 35.I replaced the entire Sanitation System on it when I got it due to Odors.If memory serves I used a Wilcox model that had the pump (similiar to manual bilge pumps that mount in cockpit) mounted on the wall beside the head (toilet).In a pinch you could pull the intake hose and attatch another one that lay in the floor of the boat to pump out the bilge..I liked the idea as a abckup to my primary and secondary systems since the boat went offshore a bit.Luckily,I never had to test the system that way.as for more mundane functions (i.e waste removal)it functioned very well.Yes do replace all old hoses..expensive but will make the job more complete and proper..meaning no more smell.I want to say the current issue of Sail or it's DIY component magazine has an article on that head and the install but not 100% sure I saw it there.They are sold thru Defenders (Defender.com) and most other worthwhile vendors. Good Luck.>>David
Replacing head
Thanks for the replies. So far I haven't been able to find a name on the head or the pump housing. I'm going over to the boat this weekend and will see what I can find and get the measurements since space is an issue. I do have an odor problem so will be replacing the hoses as well. One of the other reasons I'm changing is that my wife is set on doing so. Thanks, Bill
Thanks for the replies. So far I haven't been able to find a name on the head or the pump housing. I'm going over to the boat this weekend and will see what I can find and get the measurements since space is an issue. I do have an odor problem so will be replacing the hoses as well. One of the other reasons I'm changing is that my wife is set on doing so. Thanks, Bill
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