[Hush34]

Today we went to Hush to start what I would classify a very unpleasant job. REBUILD THE GROCO HEAD! Wound up disassembling the entire unit and taking off the boat. Seems easier to do at my shop. Anyway, while working I noticed that the hoses were shot. I spent nearly 4 hours pulling all but the macerator hoses from the boat. What a job!

Here's my questions. Am I doomed to try and replace the old hoses with the same hose used by the factory? It would be nice if the rubber hose actually bend into place.

The macerator installed is the whale manual one. Anyone replace with an electric version? If so, how did you mount?
Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Multihullgirl]

You don't have to replace with the exact factory hoses, but you would be well advised to use hoses designed for head-to-holding tanks, as they are resistant to smell permeation

 

[pdqaltair]

Trident 101 is considered the best value in a durable hose, but if you want something that will bend, you can't beat Raritan Saniflex (bend radius about 7"). It is also MUCH easier on and off the fittings, but will not leak. The permeation resistance is quite good, better than the white hose.

That said, any hose will kink if you force it. If it looks like it is starting to pin, insert a PVC fitting.

 

[johnharch]

I used Trident 101 when I did mine. What a pleasant surprise. I found it very easy to use and to fit to the fittings. It easily made all the turns on my 34. The last time I had done a head, I used that white crap they sell at West and it was an absolute nightmare.

The Groco head was a different story. Turns out the cylinder was so deeply grooved I had to buy a new head.

 

[sailak]

I haven't worked with the Trident hose but have used the Saniflex in two boats…very easy to work with, slides right on the fittings, bends easily.

The Groco I replaced in Elnora was badly scored -- like they had been crushing rock with it. It was recirculating bowl contents back into the bowl from the rim….not at all pleasant.

 

[SVAuspicious]

Use a heat gun to warm up the hose where you have to bend it or get it over a fitting.

 

[CLucas]

I re-plumbed the head on Grey Goose in 2013 using Sealand Odorsafe hose with some hard PVC in places. Very happy. The hose is not cheap. Getting it on fittings was a LOT easier with heat and a finger-smear of dish soap. If you use PVC, be sure to use primer and cement to get a good seal.

Best thing I did for my head setup was to plumb the head sink drain to allow the head to be flushed with fresh water from the head sink. Decaying sea critters really smell. A small ball valve gives me the option of flushing with raw water if I choose.

 

[RainDog]

For sure heat up the hose before fitting. It is a nightmare otherwise. Either the heat gun, or dip in boiling water. I have replaced all my hoses 3 times. It is always a nightmare, but once I learned the heat trick it went from a 5 hour job to a 3 hour job.

 

[sailak]

or dip in boiling water.

This works better than the heat gun…..right up until you pour it on your foot. The blisters have mostly healed now.

 

[RainDog]

This works better than the heat gun…..right up until you pour it on your foot. The blisters have mostly healed now.

In addition to the burns, you also are assured of deep puncture wounds from the wire reinforced hoses. I am usually a bloody mess by the time I finish. At least you have the comfort of knowing the wire that gave you the puncture wound is coated in sewage.

Make sure you tetanus shot is up to date.

 

[MarcHall]

On Crazy Fish I have replaced the head 3 times and replaced the sanitation hoses a few times.

The biggest issue with the hoses is the time it takes for the hoses to break down and the sewage smell to begin to penetrate them.
Other issues are the time it takes for the hoses to clog (my always smelled first) and the difficulty of installing them.

Trident 101 have a 5 year warranty, I believe some sanitation hoses I looked at had a 2 year warranty.

Shields Marine Poly X Sanitation Hose has a lifetime warranty, is not cheap and was not available locally, but I would rather not do this job again in the foreseeable future. Amazing how much of this hose is in the boat.

The current head is also an electrical one with an electrical pump to pump the seawater into the head and a macerator adjacent to bowl to chop everything up and pump it overboard or to the holding tank. No more flapper valves, no more pistons etc. I do need to carry a spare pump and a spare macerator but they seem to be easier to replace then tearing down the manual head - although I have yet to have to do it. There is an increased electrical consumption but I figure the replacement of the anchor light with an LED (1 Amp to 0.1 Amp) probably covers the added consumption of the head use. With the electrical pumps its probably easier to fill the holder tank but it also easier to make sure the lines get flush with water and raw sewage does not sit in the hoses.

Marc Hall
Crazy Fish - Maintaining, Upgrading and Sailing a Crealock 37

 

[mondofromredondo]

Side note to the Hose issue. I sent my Groko back to the Manufacturer in Maine (I think it was). Sent to have it rebuilt. Got it back about 3 weeks ago. Wound up using the old hoses as they were fine even though they were 25 years old.

Long story short. Cost me $300 to be rebuilt by the same guy that built it back in 1988.
The unit flushes beautifully both #1 and #2. Anyways he said a new lower unit would be about $600 new. or of course $300 rebuilt. If your cylinder is too badly scored u have to go with new. Not bad either way cuz these toilets are like industrial quality. And for the darned thing to work for 25 years says something for Groko quality

 

[Hush34]

I just finished doing the rebuild on the Groco Head. I was a bit intimidated at the start but simply followed the instructions and finished it would a minimum of complications. Fortunately, the cylinder and piston were not scored and the new rings did the trick as far as the seal. I would do this again (hopefully not for a while) and am glad that I did it. I now understand completely how the head works and will be able to diagnose problems in the future. Thanks everyone for you input. All I have to now is wait for my hose and finish up. Me and my heat gun have a date next week.