Association Forum - head leak

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

head leak

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

calden
Navigator

Member Avatar

USA
194 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/12/2010 : 18:09:27

Hey all:

Just firing up the head for the first time today. It leaks from the pump on the draw stroke. What is the standard fix for the trusty Wilcox-Crittenden HeadMate? I see that Catalina Direct offers a head repair kit for $65. Practical Sailor says this head is one of those bottom-of-the-line ubiquitous units and to get something better. I'm wondering if it's just worth it to get a better unit, like the Jabsco that CD sells. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Carlos

S/V Mazama
1983 FK SR
#3682

Edited by - calden on 07/12/2010 18:21:38

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2010 : 05:31:54

I go with the cheap Jabsco, works great and lasts a long time. How old is your head? If it were me and it was very old I might just replace it for $150.

Edited by - on

calden
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2010 : 06:55:58

Dave:

I'm sure it's the original head that came with this 1983 boat. I'm also wondering if upgrading to a newer head will result in a bit less wobbly feel when sitting. I'm 6' and 230 lbs., and I want some security here... By the way, I'm pretty pleased at how much room there is in the head compartment itself. Nicely designed.

Carlos

Edited by - calden on 07/13/2010 07:28:08

Harleyworker
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2010 : 08:10:02

I pulled my old 1979 Par and replaced it with a MSD potty. I'm about your size Carlos and the MSD is pretty secure. I was able to get rid of the holding tank and free up tons of storage space. The MSD has a built in 5 gal tank and has deck pump-out too.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2010 : 10:30:32

I find it hard to believe that there isn't an after-market gasket that will fit your application. Pull the handle housing and see what's under there. A hardware store like ACE probably has a supply of plumbing gaskets, one of which should match yours.

It would be a shame to spend $150 when you could have fixed your problem for 35 cents.

Edited by - on

calden
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2010 : 11:50:05

Al -

I agree totally, and next time at the boat I'll take the pump handle out and see what kind of packing nut is there, but I'm trying to look into the future a bit, too. This is what I'll probably do for the time being and if it's good enough, it's good enough.

Also, my experience with boat-y things is like doing remodeling on an older house. You think you're going to open a little piece of the wall to fix that one light switch connection and wind up replastering the whole thing after taking out the asbestos insulation, then find out you did something wrong and have to call a professional to redo it anyways. So I'm just planning ahead. :)

Carlos

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2010 : 11:59:11

Yeah, I agree too with the 35 cent thing. But with a head that old it may have a bunch of gaskets that need replacing. I've also heard the screws are cheaply done and will strip easily and that repairs are like opening a can of worms. Still I guess it makes sense to take it apart and check it out. And actually my original head is not working, I was just going to replace it, but maybe I'll take this advise and at least take a look first.

Edited by - on

Patrice C25
1st Mate

Members Avatar

78 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2010 : 11:28:22

I would strongly suggest to look at changing for a new one. unless you can really find that exact gasket for 0.35$.
Because, if one gasket fail, they will all fail very soon.
I bought one of the rebuild kit for my head, 1 1/2 years ago. And this spring, and to buy the other kit, cause they know what will fail, and don't put everything in the same kit. By the time I bought the two kits, it is almost the same price of a new head.

Edited by - on

calden
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2010 : 08:12:30

Thanks for the comments.

I took the nut off (seemed to be nylon) the pump handle shaft and started to dig out the seal. I saw that there was a notable gap around the shaft. Then I began thinking....

I took apart a little bit of line I had lying around, and unraveled a few strands about 1/16" thick. I have a hunk of beeswax for various things, got it warm in the sun, the drew the line through it, and worked the wax in with my fingers. (I was thinking of the old-style oakum caulking used for log cabins.) Wrapped about four or five turns around the shaft tightly, and tightened up the nut.

Wow - finger-tight, and no leakage. And I didn't have to go on a hardware store hunt. I'm sure I'll need to tighten this down as it settles in, but it seems like a great fix for now.

Coincidentally, I chatted with a guy who had just replaced his head with a Raritan. He gushed praises for it (like the pun?) Several other folks in the marina have this model and told him to skip the others and just get it. Also, he had some questions and called the company, and he was most impressed with their customer service.

So I think when the WC (that's Wilcox-Crittenden, not water closet) looks like it's starting to leak again, I'll buy the Raritan conversion kit. That is the Raritan pump system that you bolt your existing bowl onto and save some money that way. It's a bit more $$$ than a new Jabsco but it appears so much more reliable. It's got a 2.5" piston operated by a lever to move the water, and apparently it is much easier to use.

Carlos

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

Members Avatar

921 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2010 : 10:03:09

Goes to show the old way is still the best answer, sometimes.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.