[Zac Penn]

I don't know how much longer I am going to own this particular boat, so I don't want to throw a lot of money at replacing the probably original head that is loose , has cracks and the pump doesn't move smoothly at all.

I found these two heads on ebay and was hoping for some opinions as to whether it was worth the money/install time?

Marine Manual Hand Pump Toilet Head for Boat RV Caravan Five Oceans | eBay

Johnson Pump 80 47229 01 Aquat Compact Manual Marine Toilet Circular | eBay

Or would it be beneficial to jump up in price to a name brand I know?
Jabsco Regular Bowl Manually Operated Marine Toilet | eBay

 

[IStream]

buy the Jabsco.

 

[Multihullgirl]

If you're interested, I've got two heads that I pulled out of my boat. One is a Jabsco electric, and the other a Jabsco manual (recently put in new valves etc to the manual).

Reason I've pulled 'em, to replace with C-head. Nothing wrong with 'em.

Make me a deal. If interested, contact via pm. I'm in Biloxi, MS

 

[TQA]

Jabsco is by far the best budget head.

 

[RichH]

Consider the Raritan PHC-LBA retrofit pump, etc. .... replaces the pump, etc. on almost ALL marine heads. Uses your existing bowl, etc.
Raritan LBA Upgrade for almost any toilet

 

[baboon]

I think the Johnson and Jabsco are the same head, or at least use the same base. This can be an issue since all the marine head manufactures use a different bolt pattern for the bases, and slighlty different hose hook up locations and angles. For me it made sense to rebuild my head, even though the kit cost the same as a new less expensive unit. It saved me the expense and time to change the mounting, hose lengths etc.

 

[SloopJonB]

Check Craigslist. I got a new full size Jabsco from the local Jeanneau dealer for $100 because they automatically replace them with electrics on all the new boats over 40'.

 

[RocketScience]

I second getting the Jabsco.

Heads are all about the parts 'thang.' Joker valves in manual heads always seem to go by-by at the most inconvenient time. The Jabsco manual heads are one of the most common heads found in boats, so parts are easy to find. Heck, I'm surprised 7-11 doesn't carry their joker valve.

 

[krisscross]

Consider installing a composting toilet. Cheaper, simpler, lighter.

 

[RocketScience]

Consider installing a composting toilet. Cheaper, simpler, lighter.

Not trying to start another 'composting head vs. [insert your choice]' debate, the OP needs to know composting heads are not without their pitfalls...

More Pottie Talk

 

[mitiempo]

Consider installing a composting toilet. Cheaper, simpler, lighter.

If you include the entire system - head, holding tank, macerator etc - possibly cheaper.

But if the op just needs to replace the head nowhere close.

Zac

The Jabsco you linked to is the full size. Most boats use the compact. You should be able to get a Jabsco compact for under 150. (29090-3000)

 

[Minnewaska]

Not trying to start another 'composting head vs. [insert your choice]' debate, the OP needs to know composting heads are not without their pitfalls...

More Pottie Talk

There's nothing like an argument over where to crap. Composting head advocates get pretty defensive. I've read more than one account, similar to that blog.

Personally, I find composters easier to deal with at campsites and would not want one on a boat.

My biggest gripe is having to explain how to use it to an unfamiliar guest. Again, advocates get pretty critical of people who get squeamish over basically sitting down on an indoor outhouse or porta-john. But I like to have all kinds of friends visit and don't want to have to filter out the squeamish. Those same squeamish wouldn't be found at campsites, but they willing come for a weekend sail.

 

[Pegu club]

Consider installing a composting toilet. Cheaper, simpler, lighter.

All boat heads like all boats are compromises, that said, we pulled our Marine head system out sold it, purchased a composting head. The reasons are multifold, one reason is to remove an entire plumping system from the boat, removing all costs associated with the Marine head systems. Dumping urine and dried feces, is extremely easy, we like everyone else at our marina go ashore, and we dump the afore mentioned, along with the trash, easy peasy.
Now i do understand that Humans being what they are can be freaked out over their own bodily discharges, and we all deal with it in ways acceptable to us. We just prefer one less plumbing system on our boat, simple is better, more funds for rum and Gin,

 

[Ajax_MD]

I feel like the terms "discount" and "toilet" should never be used together in a sentence.

Unless you like cleaning up crap and dealing with broken pumps all the time.

 

[Minnewaska]

.....dried feces, is extremely easy, we like everyone else at our marina go ashore, and we dump the afore mentioned, along with the trash, easy peasy.....

I'm not convinced that putting bio-active feces in a landfill is any more eco-friendly that dumping them in the water. No that I'm advocating anyone dump overboard wherever they like either.

There is some research literature that discusses the impact of leaching composted sewage, whose bacteria reactive when exposed to moisture at the landfill. Most pathogens in human waste will die when exposed to salt water for a short period, while they will multiply in a landfill.

 

[Arioso]

Frugal cruising is good but buying a used head is possibly a bad idea. Unless maybe it is a Lavac. For most boats,Jabsco does it. I have an original Groco Bronze throne on my Pacific Seacraft 34 (1987) and beyond maybe a spring replace the joker valve I think she's good. It is cheaper to just get a new one than repairing the older Jabsco (sad but true and far less yucky).

 

[souljour2000]

After some albeit brief study it seems to me that in most areas of US...(even possibly the FL Keys) a well-secured, well-mounted well-strapped,etc but otherwise plain old fiberglass PORTABLE toilet would meet CG type III requirements...Seems so...but maybe I am incorrect...the language below if carefully analyzed seems not to exclude a "well-secured portable toilet" because it is not "installed" in the sense that it is plumbed or power-driven...just needs to be physically well-attached and constructed of a durable material like FRP.Anyone..see what I mean judging from the language below?

the following is from the online US Coast Guard site: (33 CFR 159)

Portable toilets.
Vessels having no installed toilet are not subject to the provisions of Section 312 of the Act. Portable toilets or porta-potties that use no installed water, power, etc., are not considered installed toilets and therefore not subject to the requirements in 33 CFR Part 159. However, regulations still exist to prohibit disposal of raw sewage within U.S. territorial waters, the Great Lakes, and navigable rivers. Use of portable toilets in combination with a direct discharge toilet is not permitted. Vessel owners may elect to remove installed toilets and use instead portable toilets. For vessels having a portable toilet, all non-compliant fixed toilets should be removed unless impractical or unsafe in which case such devices should be rendered permanently inoperable. For inspected vessels using portable systems, use only devices manufactured of a durable material, such as molded plastic, aluminum, etc., to facilitate removal ashore, securely fastened to the vessel using straps, wooden framing, or similar materials, and maintained by the vessel operator following the manufacturers instructions as to waste disposal, chemical additives, etc.