Thanks for the replies, folks. We have a Raritan PHII head and, frankly, either it needs a rebuild or we're not using it right. We chartered a Hunter a few years back which had a Jabsco head that was simple to operate and seemed to do the job well.

On the PHII (when working properly) it intakes and flushes in one stroke. On the up part of the stroke it brings in water. On the down part of the stroke it flushes. The hardest thing to operate (especially for our daughter's 9 year-old fingers) is the dry bowl selector. It's actually a 'dial' on top of the pump and it requires some strength to use it. Also, the 'single stroke flush' is a bit iffy. Intake is fine, but the flush doesn't quite cut it without vigorous pumping.

The Jabsco doesn't intake and flush on the same stroke. You use the very-easy-to-switch selector to dry. The stroke handle is very easy to use as well and seems to pump a higher volume than the Raritan.

I have heard so many good things about the PHII.

I will rebuild our Raritan and see if we have better luck.

Dave, thanks for your replies, however please realize there is a world of difference between your boat and mine (world = 10')...

With regards to your numbered comments:

1. Most off-the-shelf holding tanks have a top and bottom port (as well as an inspection port and port for a sending unit). It's your choice to choose which port is used for discharge. On a Baba 30, a side-discharge holding tank under the settee takes up precious space. Cindy's thought of putting it under the v-berth makes sense, but I would not want to do that unless I was certain there'd be no odors.

2. For now, Soñadora lives on a freshwater lake. No way do I want lake water festering in the tank. We are treating our tank like a port-a-pottie and adding the same chemicals used in a port-a-pottie. Then, we pump out on a daily basis. As for plumbing sea water through a fitting, couldn't you add seawater to the holding tank just by pumping the head without any waste in it?

3. 'Hard plastic' (PVC I presume) doesn't flex. And since everything on a boat moves around, I would rekon hard plastic would crack at some point, even if joined with flexible connections.

4. "Ozone generator" sounds like another device that could break down.

5. With the exception of the sea-water flush and ozone inlet, your tank idea is the same as mine. Now, I need to find someone who can make a 10-15 gallon version of this tank fit in a 1 cubic foot space [g]

Really though, I wouldn't think it difficult to build a custom tank to conform to the hull under the settee. I just need to find someone who's good with tools and knows how to weld plastic.

Cheers,

Rick Beddoe
1978 Baba 30, Soñadora
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Received on Thu Jun 23 23:00:49 2005