Portable MSD Choice

[russg]

Peggie:

I'm ready to replace the OEM porta-potty in my boat, per our phone conversation a while back. Per your suggestion, I will be replacing the OEM portable unit (a SeaLand 962 or 964) with a larger capacity unit and will be purchasing an MSD version which will be plumbed to a pump-out deck fitting and through-hull vent. I am considering these three units and would appreciate your recommendation:

Thetford 465 MSD

Thetford 365 MSD (same as above but with manual piston pump versus electric pump on 465)

Dometic SeaLand 975 MSD

They all sell for about the same money, so price is not a factor. I'm more concerned about the overall user experience and reliability expectations of these three units. I live in Arizona, and there is just no place local where I can view any of these units in person, so I will be purchasing online sight unseen. I don't believe I've missed any options other than those above, but if I have, please let me know. Thanks for your valued opinion.

Any other opinions from members that have experience with these units would certainly be appreciated as well.

Russ

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Any of the 3 is an equally good choice...

However, the "electric" Thetford powered by AA cells would be the most fun. What could possibly be more "uptown" than a "push button" electric portapotty? :dance:

 

[russg]

I was sort of thinking the same thing, although I hadn't quite fully stretched it to the concept of fun. But I suppose in these times you need to find entertainment and amusement wherever you can. My only concern about the 465 is the reliability of the electric pump itself. I spoke with a person at Thetford earlier today about that very concern, and he did tell me that the pump is available as a stand-alone part in case it needs to be replaced. Of course, the price of the pump is $183, more than the purchase price of the entire unit at any number of online retailers. Doncha' just love it? He said he would probably choose the 365 over the 465 for that reason. But I may just take on flyer on the 465 anyway, because as you said, what could possibly be more uptown (umm, a VacuFlush)?

The Dometic 975 has a few things going for it as well. It is a bit more compact, which is important in a small cuddy, and I like the idea of a sight guage on the holding tank. West marine has that unit on their website, and there are a grand total of two consumer reviews, both of which declared the unit a piece of cheap junk. Possibly not a large enough sampling to fairly judge the product, but still a concern. I wouldn't exactly call the OEM 964 I'm replacing a marvel of engineering.

I was of course hoping you had a strong preference for one of these units, but I suppose at this end of the sanitation product foodchain heaps of praise and admiration is a bit unrealistic.

Also, is there any reason I wouldn't want to continue to use the KO product in either of the portable units as I did with my previous VacuFlush units? That is my intention.

And finally, I will be having the dealer doing the plumbing. I remember from back in the day that you had a very specific preference for a specific odorless hose, but I don't remember what it was. I might as well specify the best since we're starting from scratch and the distance won't be that great. Could pass along a hose recommendation?

Thanks again,

Russ

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The bottom of the food chain is just as important as the top

And if your experience with the SeaLand/Dometic 964 mimics the reviews of the SeaLand/Dometic 975, go with it! They've always made a good product, but so did Jabsco till the late '80s....things change! So you need to weigh your need for durability against goodies like the sight tube, and how it fits in your space and make your own decision.

To answer your only question this time...because the MSD portapotty tanks are vented same as "regular" holding tanks, K.O. should work just as well in your new portapotty as it would in any other tank.

And finally...you prob'ly should have the yard install the deck pumpout fitting...but installing a portapotty doesn't require any more mechanical ability that it takes to turn a doorknob...so if you can't do THAT yourself, we need to TALK!