Airhead Install

[Bosn Mate]

We purchased an R29S at the Annapolis Boat Show this past October. The boat will be completed in October 2017.

We intend to install an Airhead toilet and are wondering if this can be done while the boat is being built. Another option would be to not install the standard head and associated gear; might save some money and lots of time ripping it all out. We also want to use the holding tank to increase water capacity.

Would the Factory work with us on this?

Thanks.

 

[S. Todd]

I made this request in January of 2015 when we ordered our R25SC. The response I got was that they would delete the standard head for a small savings but would not install the airhead at the factory. We elected to just have the factory head installed and figured we could make the change sometime in the future.

 

[knotflying]

I had the factory delete the standard head for a small savings and did the install after I received the boat. The key is not to use the holding tank if you are going with the airhead. I converted mine to potable water and once you use it you will have lost that opportunity. The Airhead install is not very difficult. As with everything on the boat, the most difficult part is snaking wires and hoses. I have an R-27. On the 29 it may be as simple as using one of those solar/battery exhaust fans straight up to the raised deck.

 

[Lenny and Louise]

We had a local yard remove the installed head after a year of use and put in an airhead. The pictures knotflying provided were very helpful (thanks again, Mike). One of the major reasons to use the yard to do the work was the necessity to remove the used black water tank. On our R25SC this required the removal and replacement of the muffler. Using the removed tank as a pattern, we had an aluminum tank fabricated and fit to hold fuel. We can get an extra 20 gallons of fuel out of that tank by pumping it into the main tank with a small Jabsco pump.

We are very pleased with this arrangement, but do have a couple comments about the use of the airhead:

It is much taller than conventional marine commodes and a foot rest is required for comfortable seating.

The small exhaust fan installed just before the vent overboard must run constantly, so the boat must be in the sunlight (if you have solar panels) or on shore power. The electrical draw is very small, so a couple of cloudy days won’t hurt you, but dry stacking without power is problematic. When we were in dry stack, we used to remove fuses from alarms – after we drained the house battery one time. The boat has been in the water since the airhead was installed.

When we are not using the boat on a regular basis, we visit her every other week to make sure there is still moisture in the pot and turn the crank. We don’t want that stuff to harden up in there.

Watch the liquid waste jug. We know we are not the only ones to overlook that – once. We have not met anyone who admits to doing it twice.

Airhead customer service is extremely helpful and friendly. Our Ship’s Steward has contacted them a couple of times to purchase additional supplies, and once to obtain an additional cap for the liquid waste jug. They shipped it to a marina that we were going to visit so that it could catch up with us. (Tip for success: Get a spare cap at time of install and remember where you store it!)

For all that, we are very satisfied with the airhead. No smell, easy to clean, and it took about 200 engine hours to fill the honey bucket. If we ever get a new boat (why would anyone want to do that?) we will go with airhead again.

 

[Lobo]

I have one, like it. One point -- if you can have the factory run the discharge hose -- the one that they would use for the discharge of the standard head -- and leave about a foot in the head and enough to get to the back of your boat, then you don't have to diddle around getting the air exhaust hose in. I ended up using most of the original discharge hose as it is very difficult to remove (probably cable tied in underneath something). I cleaned it out as best I could, but as the air is moving from the Airhead to overboard, it has been absolutely no problem at all. I've had mine for almost 2 years. My fan is stuffed behind the fish locker and wired to the thruster/anchor battery. I have the exit where the vent was on the factory installed head -- just off centre on the transom.

I also found in the Home Depot plumbing department, for under $10.00, rubber connectors (@ 4" long) with two clamps that join the Airhead hose to the factory discharge hose. I think I used 3 joining hoses together.

Dave
LOBO

 

[Bosn Mate]

Thanks for the info - much appreciated!

Mike