Sea Era or Elegance

D

davita

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Joined
Feb 21, 2005
RO Number
16378
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152
Probably a question for Vic Williams but everyone is welcome to advise.
I have two heads on my boat....both Jabsco manual (one is new), but I'm tired of the odor from the raw water so intend to replace with electric fresh water.
I don't think my master head will accept the dimension of the Elegance but the 2nd head will.
Should I go with one of each model or just use the Sea Era in both heads?
I really like the look and feedback on the Elegance, and the price is not much different, but are they really very different in noise and reliability?
I don't actually take the boat out much...it is used more like a liveaboard holiday cabin and connected to shorewater and power most of the time.
David
 
Hi David,

I'd very strongly suggest you consider the Marine Elegance head, if it will fit in the required space. Especially, with pressurized fresh water and the Smart Switch control, it'll be just like at home, and even quieter in operation. It's the first new head that Raritan has come out with, that I've really been excited about, since the Atlantes series came out in 1991.

Are you sure it won't fit? Take a look at pages 6 and 8 of the linked Owner's Manual for the Elegance, to be sure. Overall dimensions and mounting template are shown.

http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/Marine Elegance/L460v0309.pdf

The SeaEra for pressurized fresh water flushing would be the second-best choice, but there's quite a difference in appearance and plumbing between the two.

With the Elegance, the solenoid valve and anti-siphon valve are already built into the head, whereas with the SeaEra they are separate and must be installed somewhere external to the head.

Here's the SeaEra Owner's Manual, check page 6 for dimensions. I think you'll find that the dimensions aren't too much different between the two:

http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/sea_era/L318seaerav0103.pdf

If you do choose to go with the SeaEra, get the household size bowl and seat, they're much more comfortable - especially for guests.
 
Vic,

Are you guys going to make the Elegance so it can mount up flush against the wall with no gaps?
 
Thanks Vic...I kinda knew you would offer good advice.
I think I will order one Elegance, remove the Master Head Jabsco (I only fitted it a few months back) and try to fit the Elegance. If that doesn't work I can replace the older Jabsco in the Guest Head with the Elegance and then re-consider the Master Head's future.
Thanks
David
 
Robyns Nest, quotes for the bowls are coming in, so possibly the straight backed Marine Elegance isn't too awful far off.
 
Does the Elegance fit in the same footprint as the Jabsco manual head? We have the manual head on the boat and I have had it with it not sucking water or the joker valves going due to not enough water when flushing.

If I were to replace the head with an Elegance, do I just need to add power for the flush motor/control? Is it better to use a raw water model or should I tap into the freshwater supply?

Thanks
 
boating_rob, it'll fit in more or less the same area, but one must realize that no two heads, even from the same manufacturer, mount the same.

If you can do it, pressurized fresh water is always better. The head runs quieter, uses less power, and you don't have to contend with the odors from raw outside water. But you must have at least 3 gal./min available at the head, or the rinse water won't go all the way around the bowl.

Don't just look at the output capacity of your pump, check to see how much actually comes out of a line when it has been opened, free flow. Oftentimes, especially on boats using gray pvc PEX lines and fittings, they are too small in diameter to be able to deliver the necessary 3 gallons per minute.
 
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