Replacing a WC Headmate

shank

.
Apr 20, 2016
125
Catalina 27 5231 Lake Champlain
I have a WC Headmate in a 1982 Catalina 27. I'm not sure of the age of the unit or the exact model number. The pump handle broke off and rather than rig something together I'm thinking of replacing the entire head with the Raritan Ph Superflush because the Headmate doesn't work very well (even with the pump handle). Just wondering if others think that this is a good choice for this boat, if it's an easy job and whether the base bolts will line up with the old ones?

Thanks
 

Attachments

Dec 2, 1997
8,916
- - LIttle Rock
The Raritan PH SuperFlush is current version of Raritan's tried and true PHII, which has remained the top rated manual toilet pump since Raritan introduced it in 1983. It would be an excellent choice to replace your Headmate.

However, any marine toilet and holding tank along with all its necessary plumbing not only requires considerable maintenance, but uses up a LOT of valuable storage space on a 27' boat...so I have an idea for you:

On any boat much smaller than about 30' a self-contained system—an "MSD" portapotty--makes a lot of sense. The "MSD" designation in the model name/number means it has fittings for a pumpout line and vent line, and is designed to be permanently installed (actually just sturdier brackets than portables, so you could still take it off the boat if you absolutely have to), which means that although it's still called a PORTApotty, you don't have to carry anything off the boat to empty it. And because it's a "pumpable" system, it's legal in Canadian waters too.

A 5-6 gallon model is household height and holds 50-60 flushes...you'd need at least a 30 gal tank to hold that many from any marine toilet. No plumbing needed except a vent line and pumpout hose--and you already have a deck pumpout fitting and vent thru-hull-so no new holes in the boat...and -0- maintenance needed except for rinsing out the tank--which you can do with a bucket while it's being pumped out. Total cost including the pumpout hose and vent line (which should be replaced anyway if it's anywhere near as old as your toilet) is about $300--a fraction of what you'd spend for toilet, tank and all the related plumbing needed. And the best part is, you have all the advantages of a toilet and holding tank without giving up a single square foot of storage space.

A lot of sbo.com members who have smaller boats have MSD portapotties and love 'em. If this idea appeals to you, check out the Dometic/SeaLand 975MSD.

--Peggie
 

shank

.
Apr 20, 2016
125
Catalina 27 5231 Lake Champlain
Thank you, Peggy. I'm certainly open to the idea of a MSD. I really like the idea of low maintenance and additional storage. I'm going to do some reading and YouTube research on these.
 
Nov 22, 2011
1,250
Ericson 26-2 San Pedro, CA
Thank you, Peggy. I'm certainly open to the idea of a MSD. I really like the idea of low maintenance and additional storage. I'm going to do some reading and YouTube research on these.
I'm a fan of this solution. That's what I have on my Ericson 26, a boat not much smaller than yours. Because of how little flush water the MSD portapotty uses, I can confirm that the effective capacity of its 5.5 gal. tank is very noticeably *greater* than what I had on my previous Catalina 30 with a conventional 15 gal. holding tank. That is, I can go longer without having to empty the MSD unit than I did with the conventional 15 gal. tank. Also, as Peggy notes, it requires no maintenance, another plus.

The brackets that came with mine (a Thetford 550P) were quite flimsy, so I replaced those with a custom metal one. Otherwise, I have no complaints.
 
  • Like
Likes: shank

shank

.
Apr 20, 2016
125
Catalina 27 5231 Lake Champlain
Another vote for the MSD. Alan, did you just mount the new MSD in the same closet where the old head was? I can see my wife and daughter not being in favor of losing their privacy when I convert the old head closet into a storage locker.
 
Nov 22, 2011
1,250
Ericson 26-2 San Pedro, CA
Another vote for the MSD. Alan, did you just mount the new MSD in the same closet where the old head was? I can see my wife and daughter not being in favor of losing their privacy when I convert the old head closet into a storage locker.
In my 1984 E26-2 it fit on the same platform that housed my conventional Jabsco. We still have an enclosed head exactly as we had before.

My wife actually prefers the MSD portapotty. She's on the tall side and the MSD is slightly taller than the Jabsco was. For her it's more comfortable to sit on. I'm short, but also find using it just fine.
 
  • Like
Likes: shank

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,169
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Thank you, Peggy. I'm certainly open to the idea of a MSD. I really like the idea of low maintenance and additional storage. I'm going to do some reading and YouTube research on these.
Make sure you understand that it's MSD portapotty. Marine Sanitary Device is only a partial description of the device under discussion.
 
  • Like
Likes: shank
Jan 7, 2011
5,468
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Raritan all the way!

My old boat (Hunter 280) had a Jabsco. Seemed like I was always fighting with that thing. Current boat had a Raritan when I bought it. Never caused me any trouble, but rebuilt pump because Peggy was giving me #$&# about never servicing it:).

Works like a champ.

Greg