Never again
We rebuilt our Headmate once. Upon removing the screws there was an explosion of springs, balls and misc components which took several hours to retrieve from the grass. The problem on rebuilding was that the diagrams never were clear on which size spring went back where...never mind the various size screws. As I remember it the rebuild kit was north of $50 and a new head was double that but much more cost effective when you factored in the time to puzzle out the mess of jewelry-like bits and pieces.
As for the vent fixture, C&C never considered installing it as it would raise the cost of the yacht by five or so dollars. But they did install an intake valve which could be accessed by tearing up the bedding on the v berth thereby incurring the wrath of the crew who took some hours to make it up. Solution was to drill a hole in the new valve handle (they had to be replaced because they were neglected to be set open on the cradle and froze over the winter), which was then fitted with a brass rod run through a hole in the bulkhead behind the throne. Pushed in at sea and pulled out when the head was in use, it solved the problem in a most elegant way and cheaper than the vented (vaunted) loop.
Lesson, never ever rebuild the head, go to Practical Sailor and look up the recommended device that fits, and spring for the $300 or more that it takes to get the problem solved. Consider itr money well spent....
Oh and God Bless Peggy...
