Sealand 711 MSD

[jhenson]

At the Annapolis Sailboat Show last year, I got some literature on the the Sealand 711 MSD. This toilet has an intergrated 9.5 gallon holding tank that is attached below the bowl. See:

http://www.sealandtechnology.com/produc ... asp?pid=37

In keeping with an earlier post on simplifying MSD systems, I guess I see a few advantages and dissadvantages in this system.

Advantages:

-uses fresh water for flush -less odor
-reduces plumbing
-fewer moving parts in the head itself
-less chance of clogging
-fairly inexpensive (about $400)


Disadvantages:

-needs pressurized fresh water of 2-4 gpm (would require adding another small water tank and a pressurized water system). I'm thinking of a very simple switch (next to the head) operated pump.

-the height of the rim is elevated to about 20" (as opposed to conventional 15"). Add the 4" or so raised platform in the Triton, and it might be difficult to use for height challenged individuals.

-not particularly attractive.

Right now I have a manual Raritan Compact I in the boat, but the holding tank (and all plumbing) in the port V-berth is gone. Why, I don't know? So, maybe it makes better sense to just replace the holding tank and press on with what I have.

I'm just trying to consider all my options here. Again, if anyone has ideas about this, I would certainly appreciate them.

Thanks,

Joe

[Tim]

That looks like an interesting possible solution. You trade the complexity (and odor) of numerous sanitation hoses for the still-complex--but in a different way--installation of the pressure water system. You can keep that pretty simple, as you suggest.

Does this system operate at all if something should happen to the fresh water system? Something to think about.

Also, does the 19-1/4" depth fit on the Triton's head platform? Seems like that would be a close fit. The width should be OK, I think.

No heads are particularly attractive. If it is simpler and odor-free, that seems more attractive to me! I guess I don't see any huge negatives to this setup. The $400 cost is similar to what something like a Lavac plus a holding tank might cost.

Obviously, keeping the Raritan might be easier and cheaper. I'm not a huge fan of those toilets, however--charter members of the the rebuild-a-month club.

[jhenson]

Yep, your right Tim- won't fit!. I just measured the platform. The only way the toilet will fit would be to raise it yet another inch or two. At that height, hypoxia might start to be an issue.

Back to the drawing board.

Joe

[Tommy Bahama]

I picked up the Coleman self contained lav for about 50 bucks at Sports Authority. West Marine has the the same head (different name) for about $75. I bring this up because it is similar to the subject of this post. It has about 3.5 galons for flushing and 2.5 for waste storage and is (ahem...) comfortable. It fits perfect in the V berth locker of my Islander 24. The waste tank separates from the bowl easily and has a handle for carrying as well as caps for the drains...a pretty simple and economic package for local and coastal cruising. I do have plumbing (seacocks) installed for a permanenet fixture but don't really want the hassle of the local waste laws and inspections.

Tom