chuck wrote:
Cindy wrote:
I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work
the best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.

http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Thanks for any feedback.

There are not many things on a small
boat that truly excite, but our manual
Lavac surely ranks near the top of our
(well, at least MY) list.

It is as simple a design as possible,
with no moving parts other than in the
pump. It is powerful, dependable, and
easy to understand.

The operation, however, is pretty
unusual for the uninitiated, but that is
doubtless true for many marine heads.

It is hard to find someone who hates the
Lavac. I have no experience with the
electric pump model.

Chuck
S/V Sans Serif

Agreed. It takes a couple of uses to learn the basics of how to use the
Lavac, and the main problems come from those unfortunate souls (and there
are many) who never bother to read or learn instructions. Once you take the
trouble to do exactly what the manual says, the Lavac is virtually
indestructible. You may have to replace the seal around the lid once in a
blue moon, but that is all. The pump is actually a bilge pump, full stop.

Blalke must have a sense of humor. Went to their web site today and
their headline reads:
"Press Release - Toilet Prices Bottom Out"

Have a friend that hated his when he first got the boat, but as you said,
once he learned how to use wouldn't have anything else.
I've heard you can actually flush a cat with the Lavac, probably want to go
straight over the side and not into the holding tank right?
MMC

"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
chuck wrote:
Cindy wrote:
I read in another group that the 'Lavac' brand marine toilets work
the best, have the least maintenance, and the highest quality.

http://www.lavac.com/

Any feedback on this product? If this is true, why is this brand
rarely found in cruising boats? Is it the price?

Thanks for any feedback.

There are not many things on a small
boat that truly excite, but our manual
Lavac surely ranks near the top of our
(well, at least MY) list.

It is as simple a design as possible,
with no moving parts other than in the
pump. It is powerful, dependable, and
easy to understand.

The operation, however, is pretty
unusual for the uninitiated, but that is
doubtless true for many marine heads.

It is hard to find someone who hates the
Lavac. I have no experience with the
electric pump model.

Chuck
S/V Sans Serif

Agreed. It takes a couple of uses to learn the basics of how to use the
Lavac, and the main problems come from those unfortunate souls (and there
are many) who never bother to read or learn instructions. Once you take
the
trouble to do exactly what the manual says, the Lavac is virtually
indestructible. You may have to replace the seal around the lid once in a
blue moon, but that is all. The pump is actually a bilge pump, full stop.

MMC wrote:
Have a friend that hated his when he first got the boat, but as you said,
once he learned how to use wouldn't have anything else.
I've heard you can actually flush a cat with the Lavac, probably want to go
straight over the side and not into the holding tank right?
MMC

It's a tough life for a cat.

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Folks, if you were going to single-hand around the world for a few
years, would you recommend a manual Lavac, or the manual Wilcox
Crittenden Skipper?

I understand that the Skipper is the least likely to clog due to
having the largest hole.

Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?

I've beaten the odor problem by using Trident Sani Shield hoses and
fresh water flushing. Now my concerns are clogging and
maintenance/durability.

I'm willing to pay as much as neeeded to avoid having to handle crap
off-shore.

One last question. Is there anything special about the Baby Blake?
Just why is it so expensive? As a former Lexus technician, I can tell
you that a Lexus is virtually identical to a Toyota Camry LE. The
price difference is 99 percent cosmetic. Maybe it's the same with the
Baby Blake? Their website is completely void of detail. (I used one on
a Swan once. Bur didn't have time to inspect it.)









On Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:48:17 -0400, chuck wrote:

MMC wrote:
Have a friend that hated his when he first got the boat, but as you said,
once he learned how to use wouldn't have anything else.
I've heard you can actually flush a cat with the Lavac, probably want to go
straight over the side and not into the holding tank right?
MMC

It's a tough life for a cat.

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BocaJack wrote:
Folks, if you were going to single-hand around the world for a few
years, would you recommend a manual Lavac, or the manual Wilcox
Crittenden Skipper?

Lavac. Easy Choice. You can carry an entire spare pump for $160 and
swap it in 15 minutes.



I understand that the Skipper is the least likely to clog due to
having the largest hole.

What are you trying to flush? Tennis balls?


Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?

Mine goes direct to the holding tank with a manual pump on a y-valve.
This end of the system has been trouble free.



I've beaten the odor problem by using Trident Sani Shield hoses and
fresh water flushing. Now my concerns are clogging and
maintenance/durability.

I'm willing to pay as much as neeeded to avoid having to handle crap
off-shore.

Why would you go to a holding tank if you're planning to go offshore?


One last question. Is there anything special about the Baby Blake?
Just why is it so expensive? As a former Lexus technician, I can tell
you that a Lexus is virtually identical to a Toyota Camry LE. The
price difference is 99 percent cosmetic. Maybe it's the same with the
Baby Blake? Their website is completely void of detail. (I used one on
a Swan once. Bur didn't have time to inspect it.)


don't know.









On Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:48:17 -0400, chuck wrote:

MMC wrote:
Have a friend that hated his when he first got the boat, but as you said,
once he learned how to use wouldn't have anything else.
I've heard you can actually flush a cat with the Lavac, probably want to go
straight over the side and not into the holding tank right?
MMC
It's a tough life for a cat.

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What are you trying to flush? Tennis balls?

No, but pretty close.

Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely place for
clogs to occur?

Mine goes direct to the holding tank with a manual pump on a y-valve.
This end of the system has been trouble free.

So the Y valve is_before_the holding tank? Isn't that illegal in many
areas?

Why would you go to a holding tank if you're planning to go offshore?

I prefer not to dump raw sewage into the ocean. Otherwise, I would
just crap over the side.

But thanks for the input!

"BocaJack" wrote in message
...

What are you trying to flush? Tennis balls?

No, but pretty close.

Also, what do you think about the idea of eliminating
the 'Y' valve in
the system and just having direct to holding tank with
the deck
pump-out? In a pinch, couldn't one manually pump it
overboard from the
deck? Are not the macerator and Y vales the most likely
place for
clogs to occur?

Mine goes direct to the holding tank with a manual pump
on a y-valve.
This end of the system has been trouble free.

So the Y valve is_before_the holding tank? Isn't that
illegal in many
areas?


Y valve *after* the holding tank. One side of Y goes to
manual pump and then thru hull. Other side goes to deck for
marina type pump out. I believe this is what he has?

Scotty

SBV

BocaJack wrote:
What are you trying to flush? Tennis balls?

No, but pretty close.

Except that solid waste is 75% water...tennis balls aren't.
So the Y valve is_before_the holding tank? Isn't that illegal in many
areas?

Nope. It doesn't matter where the y-valve is, only where waste ends up.

Why would you go to a holding tank if you're planning to go offshore?

I prefer not to dump raw sewage into the ocean. Otherwise, I would
just crap over the side.

So why would you install a macerator if you don't plan to dump the tank
at sea? Or do you think a whole tankful is better for the environment
than a single flush?
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

So what do you think all the marine life out there does? Use a whale
porta-potty? If that're really what you want to do, get a Lectra-San
and treat it all, even when you're offshore.

BocaJack wrote:


I prefer not to dump raw sewage into the ocean. Otherwise, I would
just crap over the side.