The answer may be an airhead

K

knotflying

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
6,014
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Hull Identification Number
FMLT2731J011
Non-Fluid Motion Model
25' Parker & 246 Robalo Cayman
Vessel Name
http://illusionsmikeandjess.blogspot.com
Here I go raising my ugly "head" again, pun intended. Seven posts and three about toilets. Man I am glad I have an Airhead. I am not an owner nor a paid salesman, just a very happy customer.
 
Just thought I'd let you know that the distributor for Prism polish in the Seattle area also handles Airhead toilets and many more marine products. His name is Ron Epson and I believe he will be in Bremerton. Let me know if you would to talk to him.
Bob
 
Unfortunately I won't be at Bremerton, but I have had my Airhead for over a year and considering the pros and cons of the airhead versus the conventional toilet I have been very happy with the Airhead.
 
Ron will be in Bremerton Thursday morning through the early afternoon. (subject to change)
Bob
 
I have been unable to pump water into the Jabasco hand pump toilet for the past two weeks, and today a repair person came.

After checking out that no water pumps, he disconnected the hose, found no blockage, and no water came through when I opened the seacock. He then decided that the problem was probably dried out rubber pieces, due to "lack of use."

So, back he went to the shop, to get the $58.00 repair kit, and he replaced O-rings and a few other pieces, and now the water gets through. The bill is $183.00 and I was instructed to use the head more so it doesn't dry out. He told me these toilets only last about 6 years, but it went out at 7 months.

I did not discover anything in the owner manual that we are to use it more, and the one thing I have been doing is to be sure to use lots of water the times I did use it, to make sure that nothing clogged up on its way to the holding tank.

I just wonder how toilets function on all these boats sitting vacant in marinas all over? My toilet gets used in the wee hours of the morning on a regular basis, but otherwise seldom gets used.

How I wish the Airhead I requested when purchasing the boat could have been installed. This seems like a strange repair to me, how about you?

Living aboard is wonderful for its simplicity, although this experience is the exception :-:
 
My experience with heads has been that they are pretty reliable, whether you use them or not. I think your issue may have been an anomally.
 
That sounds reassuring!

Getting grass in the intake the first time the boat was in San Diego Bay led to overheating, which required a tow and then dealing with the trashed impeller. Finally the Yanmar mechanic came then took four hours to install a new impeller. What is the definition of B O A T? So it was.

Next came the lack of water to the head which caused me to hesitate to plan many outings here. Now after five weeks both systems are working and perhaps a season of "clear sailing" awaits!

Thanks for the optimism 🙂
 
Sorry to hear about all your troubles, I have found with a lot of things sometimes not using is worse the using a lot. As for your head, if you have a major problem again look at replacing it, as I had a manual one on my boat, 3 boats ago and it cost about what you paid for a complete head from West Marine, and it is an easy install that you could tackle yourself. Also watch what you clean it with as some chemicals can dry out the rubbers faster then they should. You should be an expert on all things tug by now 🙂 You are living the life a lot of us wish we could 🙂
 
Ah, I never thought about the liquid product I put in the head as something that might dry out the rubber...interesting hypothesis worth exploring more, so thanks for the comment 🙂

SIDEBAR on Living Aboard...

I recently heard about an interesting boater whom I mentally filed under "inspiration." This sailor fixes almost everything on the boat! For any of you who might be interested, Jeanne Socrates is a 70 yr. old Brit who is on her 3rd attempt to sail single-handed nonstop around the world (and repairs everything herself!) She sails on Nereida, a 38 ft "cutter-rigged" sailboat.

Speaking of sailing, I was fortunate to be invited recently for a 3 hour cruise on Stars and Stripes which is at our marina. What an experience on this 1992 boat that Dennis Connor skippered!

I still am fascinated by the sailors who come and leave from here on grand adventures. One of the many perks of living aboard is meeting very interesting people :!:
 
Anne,
Lubricate all of the rubber "O" rings on your head once a week or so using mineral oil. You only need about an ounce. Simply dump it in the bowl and pump it through. You will find mineral oil on the Laxative Aisle (hmmm amazing the coincidence....) in most grocery stores or Wal Mart.

NEVER use vegetable oil. Vegetable oil should only be used for cooking. It will turn rancid over time and will also form a very nice "gum" that will really create havoc on the moving parts of your head.

We use a very mild dish detergent (not Dawn) to clean the head on Destiny as well as all of the other boats we have had in the past.

David
 
Great to hear that suggestion, David! Thanks! I will begin the mineral oil practice and trust it will help.

The missive about "use more often" was politely dismissed by the boss when I called to ask how that could actually be the cause given all the boats that sit vacant while I use it daily.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays to you and Maureen!

BTW, the factory has offered to pay the repair bill 🙂

Thanks Ranger Tugs!
 
Not to hijack a thread, but does the R21 have the same head as the larger Rangers?
We are on a lake and have NEVER used the head. It is a '09 and has never even been wet.
Outings are rarely more than 4 hours and shoreside visits have always been available.
If you know the R21 layout you know there is no privacy.
I have been considering a mini loop in a few years when time opens up and now wonder about the head being damaged from lack of use.
 
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