I found my next Marine toilet

Peggie Hall HeadMistress

Peggie Hall HeadMistress

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Dec 2, 1997
8,948
- - LIttle Rock
Did the very nice man happen to mention it's exact age (give or take a few years)?
I didn't know Simpson Lawrence ever made toilets (possibly only toilet bowls???) But then, I hadn't ever heard of A.B Sands either until about a year ago...guess it's time to start researching S-L to find out. The "Brief History of Marine Toilets" I've been working on is turning out not to be as brief as I thought it would be when I started working on it!
 
Peggie Hall HeadMistress

Peggie Hall HeadMistress

.
Dec 2, 1997
8,948
- - LIttle Rock
capta said:
Just how important is it to you to have a marine head to leave to your offspring and they to theirs? lol I would put that or a WC Skipper on this boat in a heartbeat. Bullet proof marine toilets certainly make living aboard much less of a hassle.
Click to expand
The "Baby Blake" and "Blakes Victory"--made in the UK-- are definitely "heirloom" toilets that are rarely sold with the boat and often handed down. At today's rate of exchange, the Baby Blake is about $5700USD. The "Victory's" price tag is a little under $9000USD...only made for people who special order them. Like all equipment, they require at least some maintenance. How "bulletproof" they remain depends on whether they get any. Which is why you wouldn't want a W-C Skipper...discontinued when Thetford bought W-C about 10 years ago...no parts are still available, though some rebuild kits may still be. However, the Groco Model K for about $1400 is a comparable choice and still in production.
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Peggie Hall HeadMistress said:
The "Baby Blake" and "Blakes Victory"--made in the UK-- are definitely "heirloom" toilets that are rarely sold with the boat and often handed down. At today's rate of exchange, the Baby Blake is about $5700USD. The "Victory's" price tag is a little under $9000USD...only made for people who special order them. Like all equipment, they require at least some maintenance. How "bulletproof" they remain depends on whether they get any. Which is why you wouldn't want a W-C Skipper...discontinued when Thetford bought W-C about 10 years ago...no parts are still available, though some rebuild kits may still be. However, the Groco Model K for about $1400 is a comparable choice and still in production.
Click to expand
I doubt there's any parts in the Skipper that one couldn't make or have made. They use standard packing for the pump handle shaft and inner tube rubber for the gaskets. My only question would be the modern common joker valve fitting, and I'm sure the housing could be adapted, if needed.
I'm sick and tired of replacing Raritan pump bodies that crack at the exhaust, and bending over to pump the head. Skipper is stand up and pump..
 
DayDreamer41

DayDreamer41

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Oct 29, 2016
1,929
Hunter 41 DS Port Huron
Years ago a friend of mine was building a glass Roberts 45 Ketch, he scoured the marina's scavenging brass port lights and his head was something like that, a true working work of art from days gone by, I believe it was salvaged from an old Chris Craft. Long pump handle with if I remember correctly mother of pearl for a hand grip and the top.
Old Head.JPG
 
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Peggie Hall HeadMistress

Peggie Hall HeadMistress

.
Dec 2, 1997
8,948
- - LIttle Rock
capta said:
I doubt there's any parts in the Skipper that one couldn't make or have made
Click to expand
It's not only the parts in the rebuild kit...bronze wears down over time too. Quite expensive to re-mill or replace.

capta said:
I'm sick and tired of replacing Raritan pump bodies that crack at the exhaust, and bending over to pump the head.
Click to expand
That's not typical of Raritan toilets at all...Which Raritan toilet do you have? If you don't know the model, please post a photo of the pump, that has a good view of the top and hopefully also shows the location of the crack.
 
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capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Peggie Hall HeadMistress said:
It's not only the parts in the rebuild kit...bronze wears down over time too. Quite expensive to re-mill or replace.


That's not typical of Raritan toilets at all...Which Raritan toilet do you have? If you don't know the model, please post a photo of the pump, that has a good view of the top and hopefully also shows the location of the crack.
Click to expand
Raritan PHII; 3 pump bodies in 4 years on two heads. All cracked at exactly the same spot. I'd pay the money for bronze, say once every 30 years? I'm 71, I'll take the hassle in 30 years @ any price. lol
 
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Will Gilmore

Will Gilmore

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Oct 19, 2017
7,987
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
capta said:
Raritan PHII; 3 pump bodies in 4 years on two heads. All cracked at exactly the same spot. I'd pay the money for bronze, say once every 30 years? I'm 71, I'll take the hassle in 30 years @ any price. lol
Click to expand
Is that planned obsolecence, you're talking about?:wink3: but not for the toilet, I'm guessing:poke:

- Will (Dragonfly)
 
Sailm8

Sailm8

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Feb 21, 2008
1,750
Hunter 29.5 Punta Gorda
capta said:
Raritan PHII; 3 pump bodies in 4 years on two heads. All cracked at exactly the same spot. I'd pay the money for bronze, say once every 30 years? I'm 71, I'll take the hassle in 30 years @ any price. lol
Click to expand
Maybe you need a change of diet. Just say'n :biggrin:
 
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capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Will Gilmore said:
Sold as hypoallergenic

Talk about adding weight to your racing boat?!:waycool:
Is this a royal flush or what?

- Will (Dragonfly)
Click to expand
Is that the toilet the in this story?
"New York's Guggenheim museum has turned down a request from President Donald Trump to borrow Van Gogh's work for the White House - instead offering him a gold toilet, media reports say.
The museum apologised for not being able to furnish the White House with Van Gogh's Landscape With Snow, the Washington Post says.
But the Guggenheim suggested a "solid, 18-karat toilet" could be offered as an alternative.
The White House has made no comment." "
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,946
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Sailm8 said:
Maybe you need a change of diet. Just say'n :biggrin:
Click to expand
It's not like the same people use both toilets. The one that broke twice was for the charter guests, while ours lasted somewhat longer. But I just knew someone would say something along those lines.
 
D

dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
13,005
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
capta said:
Is that the toilet the in this story?
"New York's Guggenheim museum has turned down a request from President Donald Trump to borrow Van Gogh's work for the White House - instead offering him a gold toilet, media reports say.
The museum apologised for not being able to furnish the White House with Van Gogh's Landscape With Snow, the Washington Post says.
But the Guggenheim suggested a "solid, 18-karat toilet" could be offered as an alternative.
The White House has made no comment." "
Click to expand

Yes. It caused a bit of a kerfluffel.
 
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