Help in choosing a head

[rainbowchaser]

Hi Peggy,

We passed our H37 to someone else about 4 years ago, and moved to a Cheoy Lee 40 Midshipman.

Our head is shot and we're trying to decide on a replacement. Our Hunter 37 had a Wilcox Critterdon (not the skipper, just below it) which served us well all those years. As you know, a new one is not a choice now.

Our cheap throwaway is not a good choice. My wife has located new a Rariton PH2 she thinks might be a good choice. We've also located a rebuilt (by a pro shop) Wilcox Critterdon Skipper for about $600.

Since all our experience was with one head that worked well for 15 years, with nothing but 2 kits put in, we don't have the experience to know what to get.

Any thoughts?

Gene Gruender
Sun Chaser, our current Cheoy Lee Midshipman
formerly on Rainbow Chaser, our cruising Hunter 37 Cutter

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Are you only open to manual toilets?

Or would you consider an electric?

And btw...does your boat still have two heads?

 

[Cherie320]

Tell him to put the Sea Era in it. That one push of the button makes the wife so happy. No handles to get in the way. He'll like it too! Pat

 

[rainbowchaser]

no electric

Yes, the front head has that manual one that seals and pumps with the big manual pump, forget the name. It works fine, but the back one is trash.

Got company coming thanksgiving and she says there'll be 2 heads working.

To keep from starting toilet wars, I'll just say I'm going manual.

Thanks for the quick response. I'll be glad to hear your thoughts.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

In that case, go with the Raritan PH II.

I know the rebuilt Skipper is tempting, but "rebuilt" can mean anything from just replacing the lealthers valves and gaskets to machining new bronze parts (which can cost more than a whole new GOOD toilet) and anything in between... It was a great toilet in its day, but its day has ended.

 

[rainbowchaser]

I talked to him at length about what rebuilt means to them, and it sounds like it's done properly. But I gather I'd still be better off with the Raritan. It is half the price, too.

I guess I'll have to admitt to my wife that she did her research and was right, huh?

I'd heard the Skippers could suck your foul weather gear right on down. Guess I won't be able to demonstrate that trick.

Thanks for your advice. I feel better about ordering it now.