Jabsco Twist 'n' Lock vs Raritan PHC

Steve Dion · Mar 12, 2013

Yes it is worth the difference and maybe a lot more than that.

kloudie1 · Mar 12, 2013

My own experience is that the new Jabscos are better than the old designs and that the new twist and lock is a pretty good toilet. I have had mine for 5 years now and have rebuilt the pump once in that time, after three years. I found the Jabsco on sale for $120 at the time so it was a lot less than the PHC. I have found that the entire Jabsco pump assembly is available for less than the rebuild kit price of the Jabsco and a good bit less than the rebuild kit for the PHC. My caveat is that the Jabsco is used only by folks who are savvy in how to operate a marine head. Any newbie who comes aboard is given a quick lesson in how to operate..and counciled that whoever stops it up cleans it; and to ask if unclear how to operate before a time of need.. Yup, I rebuilt the original Jabsco pump with only the parts it needed .. I found the seals and o-rings are standard and can be purchased at places other than Jabsco. I am happy with the Jabsco, but I'll admit that the PHII is on the list because I like the pump a lot better.. I have never used one, but have examined the thing and it is a better quality piece.. I bought the Jabsco because the old Wilcox Crittenden (sp?) failed two days before a scheduled cruise and there were no W-C parts available and no PHII available locally. I would have bought the Raritan if one had been here, but I've not found a reason to condemn the perfectly working Jabsco yet.

Spindrift NH · Mar 12, 2013

I replaced my old jabsco with the new twist lock last summer. I assume that the one I took out was original, had the paperwork with boat manual, so it lasted 24 years. I was going to rebuild the pump but found a crack in the plastic so I replaced it. I thought it was going to be a huge job, not so. I think I had it replaced in 1/2 hour start to finish. We used it for most of the summer, probably 25 nights, and thought it worked very well.
If you're gonna sell the boat in a couple of years I can't imagine a Jabsco head would be a deal breaker!
just my $0.02

redhead78 · Mar 12, 2013

I hope to be able to tell you soon, I just yanked out an old Jabsco, and purchased a new Raritan hi-boy with the big boy household bowl...PO had a compact, good for my 6 yr old granddaughter....Last year I installed new tank and hoses, I am cleaning up the area now hopin to install the head on sunday..The new hi-boy looks like a well made product, we'll see soon....Red

Victory · Mar 12, 2013

I would pay $270 for the Raritan PHII before I paid $180 for the Jabsco Twist n Loc.

However, I purchased my Jabsco on sale for $130.... so it's not about the price difference... it's about the value.... So far, so good with my Jabsco.... but for the price I paid... it's a great value no matter what. If you shop around for a stronger discount.... you'll save way more than $90....

However, ff you can find the Raritan for around $250....... GET IT..... No matter what you find the Jabsco at...

Stu Jackson · Mar 12, 2013

Good advice here, and many options, your boat your choice. If selling for sure, buy the cheaper one. I bought a Raritan PHII 'cuz I'm keeping my boat, it works great, like Claude I replaced a Wilcox.

Stu Jackson · Mar 12, 2013

The Raritan is 100% better than the Jabsco. The %s really don't matter, it is a better head, with a much better pump assembly.

That said, the whole choice is yours, since you're gonna be selling the boat, right?

Ron20324 · Mar 12, 2013

Percentages don't mean squat (really), as everyone will play their own favorite and have their own stories, and as Stu MIGHT say, "It's your boat, your decision". I have had the Jabsco for 6-plus years, and only the jocker valve to replace. Parts can be found almost anywhere. In either, i strongly suggest the household size. Money is money, so why spend more than you have to?

s/v Sweet Laraine · Mar 13, 2013

I replaced a Jabsco with a Raritan and have been very happy with it. A plus is being able to reverse the pump handle to the left side and out of the way in our compact head

Joe · Mar 13, 2013

FourPoints said:
I can get the Jabsco right now thru Sunday from WM for $155 after you factor in a $20 mail in rebate and the 4% rewards I get back, where the Raritan I can get at the Defender sale in a little over a week for $237 (assuming the have the standard 10% off pricing). So the actual price difference would be $82.

The $82 doesn't seem too bad, until I consider the Raritan is basically 50% more expensive than the Jabsco.

I guess what I'm still trying to understand, is exactly how much and why is the Raritan better? Is it 20% better, 50% better, or 100% better?

For a boat you want to be reliable and nice, but hope to upgrade for a larger one in 3-4 years, How many people feel it is worth a 50% price premium, besides Victory?

$82 over four years is only $20.50 per year..... less than $2 per month. Get the Raritan PHII. This head get's Peggy Hall's highest recommendation.... It's the same head that many top end production boats like Island Packet come equipped with...... check the archives for reviews and opinions.

njsail · Mar 13, 2013

Brian - if you find a sale that gives away the Jabsco head....pay the money for a Raritan PH. I had a raritan head for over a decade and it worked great without problems. I had 3 Jabsco twist pump heads and had problems with all of them. Jabsco was great - they sent me replacement pumps, etc. They really are substandard pumps in my opinion. The design seems like it should work, but I find myself wondering why so many times I've found myself cursing at that relatively new unit. Now with the Raritan head having a shortened pump handle I think I can fit it next to my door. Next time the pump jams....I'll be installing a Raritan PH. I really don't ask for much. The head should pump liquid and be able to keep it from back flowing into the bowl. Just my opinion for what it is worth.

zeehag · Mar 13, 2013

funny how many folks have a problem with a head i have never experienced major problems with--i am very happy with my jabsco manual pump toilet..no leaks no problems.
this boat has had same toilet set up for over 10 yrs, is a cheapo jabsco.
have fun and happy sails.

Ted · Mar 13, 2013

The original question was based on a comparison between the Jabsco and a Raritan PHC not the PHII. There is a big price difference between those two Raritan heads. Just wondering what is the difference between those besides price. There have been many comments about the PHII but it's not relevant to the original post and somewhat misleading.

Stu Jackson · Mar 13, 2013

The only differences are the size of the bowls and the skirt around the base. The (all important) pump is exactly the same.

Stu Jackson · Mar 13, 2013

FourPoints said:
S

Do the Raritan's commonly have that issue as well? If not then I think that will be the clincher...

Mine doesn't.

To add: The Raritan website describes the differences. One can also get the LBA which is just the pump and you reuse your existing bowl. Even better price.

Maine Sail · Mar 13, 2013

Even if the PHC was $200.00 more I'd buy it... Check with Phil or Dave at SBO they often have some excellent pricing on the Raritan stuff. Pick up the phone and call them..

I installed a PHC last winter for a customer who had nothing but head issues. I did not get one single call this summer on his Raritan PHC. For this customer that is rare, he can break anything....

One of the first items I swapped out when we bought our current boat, if not the first item, was the head. Went with a PHII but the skirt falls off so could have saved $110.00 and bought the PHC..