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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Have you rebuilt/replaced your head?

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/16/2008 : 08:06:15

Yes, ...... through the modern miracles of science you can actually ..... oh, no wait, that's another forum. Seriously, my Jabsco 29090 head has quit flushing and I need to either rebuild it or buy a new one. I started reading up on the subject and learned of many rebuild horror stories. Cheap breakable plastic, leaks, and even if things go well, frequent rebuilds. Then I happened across a thread somewhere that recommended the [url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|806|315136|828741&id=10301"]Raritan PH2[/url], said it had a much sturdier pump, was long lived and less frequent rebuilds. I also came across a few less than favorable comments about it, but not as many as the Jabsco. It's about twice as expensive at $299.95.
Thoughts? experiences? recommendations? thanks!

Dave Robbins
PO to*Bamboo*
'89 SR/WK #5877
Daytona Bch., FL

http://bambooc25.weebly.com/

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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 08:28:42

Don't rebuild the Jabsco, just replace it. The rebuild kits are more expensive than the toilet itself at WM. Sounds silly - but it's true.

DPO Zephyr - '82 C25, FK, SR
SV Lysistrata - '73 C&C 39 - St. Augustine, FL

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Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 09:00:51

I've done both with the Jabsco. I did a complete replacement and a rebuild. The replacement went smoothly and worked well for a number of years until last year when the Joker valve gave out. Then I replaced the Joker valve which was also an eazy (although potentially unpleasant) job. I have not done a complete rebuild and I agree with Redviking that if that is what you intend, you would be better off to replace the whole thing.I have no experience with the Raritan PH2 but I would guess that alot depends on how much use and abuse your head gets. The Jabsco head that came with my '84 C-25 when I bought it new lasted for 12 years of day sailing and weekend cruises in fresh water with out any rebuilds. I think my troubles only began when I started adding Toilet cleaner/deoderizer into the bowl on the advice of a friend. I think that deterioated the valves. So now I add deoderizers to the holding tank only through the tank deck fitting.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 11:03:17

I've got what appears to be a factory installed Wilcox-Crittendon head on my 1980 C25 I've owned since 2001. I don't know how much maintenance the head received prior to 2001 by the PO's (probably zero), but the only thing I've done is pour in antifreeze and the occasional bottle of mineral oil and I've had zero issues with this unit.

If this 28 year old head ever fails (knock on wood) it'll be replaced with another Wilcox unit.

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ilnadi
Captain

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452 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 12:06:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 my Jabsco 29090 head has quit flushing<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">We have a Par head (which looks identical in the picture, are they the same company?) and the one failure that keeps occuring is that one of the c-washers holding the piston on the push rod keeps disintegrating (fortunately it's always the top one). The handle will move up and down with little resistance and nothing happens.

BTW, repair kits are Par $65 at CD and Jabsco $70 at WM. The Jabsco head is $155 at WM. What am I missing?

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 12:08:33

I replaced a Groco manual pump head, which I think is similar to the Jabso, and went easily. Only took my an hour and wasn't too messy at all.

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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 17:28:59

I have rebuilt my Willcox an Crittendon ,

If you cant pump fresh water before you start working .
you will want to limit the spills so have some 1 1/2 plugs ready .
you can get a bag of assorted plugs .

take the discharge off and plug it . then clean up .
the kit has directions . just do one thing at a time , and pay attention how it comes apart .

the directions say to rebuild it every season

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bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/16/2008 : 20:43:35

Practical Sailor has reviews of heads in the current (January 08) edition focusing on issues related to replacement. I, too, am looking at replacing my head this winter so the topic is of keen interest. On previous boats I have always had Wilcox-Crittendon heads, which are robust and easy to fix. I understand, however, that newer units are not as good as previous models -- still researching though. I have no intentions of fixing but will be replacing and am focusing on the unit being robust, easy to use and requirng as litle in the way of instalation changes from the curent as possible. Part of me wants to repalce the whole system -- but then again, latrine duty is not my idea of fun!

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 01/18/2008 : 20:30:22

I replaced my porta-potty with a Raritan PH2, installed the holding tank and associated plumbing. I had a Raritan PH2 on my previous boat, a Cal 36, for around 15 years and rebuilt it once or twice, I liked it enough to put it on my 250. Easy to use and work on.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2008 : 08:00:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ilnadi
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 my Jabsco 29090 head has quit flushing<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">We have a Par head (which looks identical in the picture, are they the same company?)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Jabsco bought Par or they were the same company one foreign one domestic. I can't remember which but yes they are the same company now.
We reinstalled a head in 2000. It is a very easy process. The Jabsco models are kind of a disposable product. I'd go with the Raritan if I were to do it again.

Don't let the guys on this forum talk you into a porto - potty either. Stay true to the throne.

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2008 : 08:27:25

Thanks for all the input and advise folks, it's helped a lot. Not a chance I'll revert to a port-o-potty Duane. I ran into my local Marine Surplus guy the other day and he's about ready to go to a large auction so I'm going to see what he comes up with for what price, but not going to rebuild, will replace the entire head.

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