Peggy: I have a 11 month old Hunter 356 with the standard Jabsco head. My dealer replaced the pump once late last summer when found leaking. After a few months - November, the strokes now have a pretty good "squeak" with each stroke. I know it is not normal. Should I have my dealer replace it again before the warranty runs out on May 7 or is there some easy lubricant I can use myself to correct the problem?
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Have the dealer do it.
Jerry: You really want the dealer to take care of it. Once you open the Jabsco's there is a good chance it will leak. It is very easy to strip out the screws where the pump mounts. When it comes time (probably another year) replace it with a quality unit like a Raritan PHII or other good unit.
Jerry: You really want the dealer to take care of it. Once you open the Jabsco's there is a good chance it will leak. It is very easy to strip out the screws where the pump mounts. When it comes time (probably another year) replace it with a quality unit like a Raritan PHII or other good unit.
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Jerry Clark
Will the Raritan PHII interchange with
the Jabsco unit without making major changes? We are heavy users of the boat - just about every weekend. Am also planning a trip to FL next fall-winter with heavy use all winter. I've been concerned that the Jabsco unit is not quite up to the usage level.
the Jabsco unit without making major changes? We are heavy users of the boat - just about every weekend. Am also planning a trip to FL next fall-winter with heavy use all winter. I've been concerned that the Jabsco unit is not quite up to the usage level.
T
Tim Welsh
Olive Oil
I have a friend who used olive oil to lubricate his head before he replaced it. I have not tried it yet. He said he would just put some in his bowl and pump it. Tim Welsh H34 AKA Cabo Wabo
I have a friend who used olive oil to lubricate his head before he replaced it. I have not tried it yet. He said he would just put some in his bowl and pump it. Tim Welsh H34 AKA Cabo Wabo
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
All it needs is lubrication
There are two ways to keep a toilet lubricated: You can spend 10 minutes once a year replacing the same lubricant that's in all toilets when they leave the factory, and which lasts at least a full season. Buy a tube of Teflon grease--available from most auto parts stores and swimming pool supply outlets....in fact, I think even Radio Shack carries it. Lift up the top of the pump (all you have to do is loosen the hex nut and lift up the top)...put a healthy squirt of the grease in the pump...pump a couple of times to spread it all over the inside of the pump cylinder...repeat...put the top back on and tighten the hex nut. Should tank you all of 10 minutes, and will keep the pump working smoothly for a full season without the need for any more lubrication. Do it annually--or as much as you use your boat, maybe semi-annually--as preventive maintenance. Or...You can pour a tablespoon of olive oil, mineral oil (baby oil is mineral oil, btw), vegetable oil, or liquid "head lube" down the toilet every couple of weeks for the rest of your life--'cuz anything thin enough to be poured down the bowl is so thin that it washes out again in just a few flushes. Either way, keep the toilet well lubricated and you should get about 5 years relatively trouble-free use out of that toilet. Otoh, if you're planning to do some serious cruising, I can't argue with Steve's suggestion to replace it with a Raritan PH II (which also requires lubrication--all manual toilets do), which is much higher quality toilet. The mounting bolt patterns will not match, but the plumbing should with no problem.
There are two ways to keep a toilet lubricated: You can spend 10 minutes once a year replacing the same lubricant that's in all toilets when they leave the factory, and which lasts at least a full season. Buy a tube of Teflon grease--available from most auto parts stores and swimming pool supply outlets....in fact, I think even Radio Shack carries it. Lift up the top of the pump (all you have to do is loosen the hex nut and lift up the top)...put a healthy squirt of the grease in the pump...pump a couple of times to spread it all over the inside of the pump cylinder...repeat...put the top back on and tighten the hex nut. Should tank you all of 10 minutes, and will keep the pump working smoothly for a full season without the need for any more lubrication. Do it annually--or as much as you use your boat, maybe semi-annually--as preventive maintenance. Or...You can pour a tablespoon of olive oil, mineral oil (baby oil is mineral oil, btw), vegetable oil, or liquid "head lube" down the toilet every couple of weeks for the rest of your life--'cuz anything thin enough to be poured down the bowl is so thin that it washes out again in just a few flushes. Either way, keep the toilet well lubricated and you should get about 5 years relatively trouble-free use out of that toilet. Otoh, if you're planning to do some serious cruising, I can't argue with Steve's suggestion to replace it with a Raritan PH II (which also requires lubrication--all manual toilets do), which is much higher quality toilet. The mounting bolt patterns will not match, but the plumbing should with no problem.
Usually a couple of holes for the lag bolts.
Jerry: I have had 4 heads in my boat over the life of the boat. We started with a WC, then a Groco, then Jabsco and finally a Raritan PHII. I have only had to drill a couple of extra holes over the years. It seems that a couple of the old holes always work on the new toilet. When I installed the PHII, I replaced the raw water intake hose.
Jerry: I have had 4 heads in my boat over the life of the boat. We started with a WC, then a Groco, then Jabsco and finally a Raritan PHII. I have only had to drill a couple of extra holes over the years. It seems that a couple of the old holes always work on the new toilet. When I installed the PHII, I replaced the raw water intake hose.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Btw...where in FL are you planning to go?
Unless you're headed for the Keys, I recommend you install a Lectra/San (Type I MSD that treats waste and discharges it overboard), which is legal in all waters except those specifically designated "no discharge"...which are much fewer and smaller than most people think. The only ND waters in FL are the Keys and Destin Harbor...most of the navigable inland rivers are not...nor, except for a few small harbors, are there any on the whole east coast between RI and the Keys. Which means that pumpout facilities can also be hard to find in many places.
Unless you're headed for the Keys, I recommend you install a Lectra/San (Type I MSD that treats waste and discharges it overboard), which is legal in all waters except those specifically designated "no discharge"...which are much fewer and smaller than most people think. The only ND waters in FL are the Keys and Destin Harbor...most of the navigable inland rivers are not...nor, except for a few small harbors, are there any on the whole east coast between RI and the Keys. Which means that pumpout facilities can also be hard to find in many places.
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Jerry Clark H356 Persistence
Thanks for the advice!
In mid to late October we are planning on going down the Tenn-Tom to Mobile, around the panhandle to Panama City, across to the West Coast with winter base at Charlotte Harbor. We have good friends in Punta Gorda. Planning to go to Key West, Dry Tortugas, back up west coast to Mobile and back to Ky Lake in Spring. We will alternate working in TN and cruising all winter. I have also ordered your book - have been considering doing it for last six months and should have already! Thanks all of you.
In mid to late October we are planning on going down the Tenn-Tom to Mobile, around the panhandle to Panama City, across to the West Coast with winter base at Charlotte Harbor. We have good friends in Punta Gorda. Planning to go to Key West, Dry Tortugas, back up west coast to Mobile and back to Ky Lake in Spring. We will alternate working in TN and cruising all winter. I have also ordered your book - have been considering doing it for last six months and should have already! Thanks all of you.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
You should definitely install a Lectra/San
Pumpouts are all but non-existant on much of the Tenn-Tom south of Chattanooga--and not that easy find above Chattanooga except on the few municipal water supply impoundments that are ND...and Destin Harbor is the only NDZ in the Gulf. Even fuel docks are few and far between in some places...so you'll also need to take that into account when planning your fuel usage and whether you may need to carry jerry cans. There are some excellent Tenn-Tom cruising guides that provide info on pumpout and fuel availalibity, but I'm sure you prob'ly have at least one already. Sounds like a great trip!
Pumpouts are all but non-existant on much of the Tenn-Tom south of Chattanooga--and not that easy find above Chattanooga except on the few municipal water supply impoundments that are ND...and Destin Harbor is the only NDZ in the Gulf. Even fuel docks are few and far between in some places...so you'll also need to take that into account when planning your fuel usage and whether you may need to carry jerry cans. There are some excellent Tenn-Tom cruising guides that provide info on pumpout and fuel availalibity, but I'm sure you prob'ly have at least one already. Sounds like a great trip!
J
Jerry Clark
Will look into Lectra-san
Sounds like I might need the lectra-san. Looked on Raritan site and it looks like it would work between my head and existing waste tank if we can find a place to put it. Do you agree or would you put through a drain thru-hull with a y valve to go to the waste tank in the event the tank might be needed at some point? Is the electrical consumption just the macerator? (I have 5.5kw genset so electrical is no big deal.) What is a ballpark estimate on installed cost?
Sounds like I might need the lectra-san. Looked on Raritan site and it looks like it would work between my head and existing waste tank if we can find a place to put it. Do you agree or would you put through a drain thru-hull with a y valve to go to the waste tank in the event the tank might be needed at some point? Is the electrical consumption just the macerator? (I have 5.5kw genset so electrical is no big deal.) What is a ballpark estimate on installed cost?
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