Which is best depends upon who's gonna use it
The Lavac is the toilet of choice for blue-water cruising sailors because it has no moving parts and is just about maintenance free. But you're not gonna find many small children or landlubber guests aboard their boats, so the fact that the Lavac isn't landlubber/child-friendly isn't an issue. And they tend to carry the most commonly needed spare parts with 'em, so the lack of parts availability isn't a factor either. However, if you're a typical "weekend warrior" who occasionally takes a two week cruise, I'd go with the Cricket. Like the the Lavac, it uses a diaphragm pump, but instead of a separate pump, it's integral...directly beneath the bowl...making the flush operation is considerably more landlubber/child user-friendly. And, unlike Lavac who has VERY limited US distribution, you can get parts and/or tech support from just about any boat store or yard in the country. The Cricket also costs about $100 less. As for your holding tank, 6-8 gallons isn't worth the effort and expense to install one...it'll barely hold enough for 2 people overnight in an anchorage. You need at least 10-15 gallons, which will only cost you about 10-15% more than 6-8. Your choices aren't limited to the few rectangular shapes in the WM, B/US etc catalog...I suggest you try Ronco Plastics...they make TOP quality, extra thick-walled roto-molded tanks, and have more than 400 shappes and size--over 100 of which are non-rectangular--to choose from..and for a VERY reasonable price. I'd bet they have something 12-15 gallons that will fit your space. And you can spec your own fittings sizes and locations, to be installed by them when the tank is made (and you can eliminate one y-valve by spec'ing 2 discharge ports in the tank instead of putting a y-valve in the pumpout line). About half their catalog is on their website at: http://www.ronco-plastics.com If you can't find what you need there, give 'em a call for a full catalog. They're great people to work with, and were our primary tank supplier for nearly 10 years till I sold my company. I'll be glad to help you spec out the best location for it and plumbing runs that won't create more problems than they solve. You'll get a good start on that by reading the articles on Odor Control, Installing a head and holding tank, and Replacing Hoses, in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the forum home page).
