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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Repair or replace head?

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/25/2006 : 10:05:46

I wanted to get opinions on whether I should attempt to repair my head with the $50-60 repair kit or spend $105 on a brand new [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&classNum=715&subdeptNum=209&storeNum=11&productId=31915"]Jabsco head[/url]. I'm leaning towards getting the new head ($140- $20 MIR - $15 coupon) so I don't have to worry about the kit working and installing a new head sounds easier than disassembling and replacing several parts to the old one. One concern I have is if the Jacsco is going to be "cheap" quality or be about equal to the original one in the boat. It has some good and bad reviews on WM's site, but for the price it seems like a great option. Any opinions greatly appreciated.

Hope a lot of you are getting some nice sailing in now that the warmer season has arrived. I've had some great sailing the past couple weekends and I'm loving it.

Justin
Previous Owner of Sapphire Breeze - 1982 Catalina 25 SK/SR
My sail blog site: https://reveriesailing.com/

Edited by - Justin on 04/25/2006 10:11:05

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 12:47:17

Hi Justin, My head was rebuilt a year ago but I am suspect! It stinks inside the boat and the marina I am at right now does not have a pump out station and the holding tank is fullllllll!. I have been thinking about this and when I asked the same question you are asking here, most everyone said to go with the port-a-potty. I need to get my holding tank pumped before I make a desicion, but if I make the change it will be to the port-a-potty. Cheers.

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 12:54:38

I rebuilt my marine head a year ago. It's not a difficult job, but if the new one matches up to the existing fittings on your boat you might want to just go with the new one. After I rebuilt mine I found the 45 degree plastic outlet pipe was cracked, so I had to invest more $$ into the project. As for marine head or portipotty, I guess you could argue that one forever, but I prefer the marine head. Good luck.

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 14:10:42

I was faced with the same question two years ago. My original head was a Groco HF model. I simply bought a new head of the same model since everything on the boat was ready for it.

I actually did have to do a minor repair on the head last year, due to a small plastic piece breaking inside the pump housing. It was an easy fix, took about a half hour. I suspect the repair kit that I could have purchased instead of a whole new head would have taken about as long, but it's nice having a fresh new head that neither the PO nor anyone else has broken in.

The porta-potty vs. marine head has been debated here over and over. The big factor for me is my wife. She simply prefers the marine head. If it were smelly or a burdon to pump out, things would certainly be different though.

Good luck.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 14:59:28

jabsco is good quality. the price looks right, if you are leaning that way, I will kick you to get you the rest of the way.

We put in a jabsco 2 years ago and it is running nicely.

dw

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 15:02:19

all sounds kinda crappy to me :) Piss bucket is all my crew gets.........

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 21:32:47

The porta-potti vs marine head issue is generally a marina facilities issue.
I prefer having a porta-potti because of the simplicity and because the marinas I've been in have been unreliable.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2006 : 23:18:05

I replaced the porta-potty which was in my 1979 C-25 when I got it with a Raritan PH-II marine head and 16gal holding tank. Tried to do a thorough job of it. After over 5 years, I've had no odor or maintenance problems at all. I suppose it's stating the obvious, but whichever type of head you go with, do it right the first time. I think a lot of the marine heads which look similar are nearly interchangable -- same hose sizes, very similar overall dimensions, probably similar footprints and bolt patterns.

-- Leon Sisson

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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.