Vacuflush or Marine Elegance?

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samjac

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Well I've replaced everything else in my boat including repowering, now I am left with the head and what to do with that. Its currently a 1987 vintage Raritan Crown Head that originally flushed to a dried out bladder tank. The Mrs would like me to replace the head with something more attractive and since I have to replace the hose which is not going to be fun I thought now is the time to replace the head. My yard would like me to consider a vacuflush. Seems like a lot of things to go wrong. I like what I read about the Elegance Head but honestly never used one.
Any opinions?
 
I installed a Marine Elegance last year and, honestly, I am thrilled with it. As far as I'm concerned, for the money, there isn't a better unit on the market.

It will grind and flush darn near anything.

Bob

PS: Plus they are comparable very quiet and they use very little water. Important for me bacause I installed the fresh water flush model.
 
I've found Vacuflushes to be pretty trouble free over the years.

Never used a Marine Elegance that I can recall.

I would also consider Tecma and Headhunter heads as well.
 
My 27 year old Vacuflush continues to work great.

Replaced the bottom seal and all new hoses in 2006.

RWS
 
I also have the fresh water flush Marine Elegance and we love it. I know Vacuflush is very popular, but as you said, quite a number of parts. I would also tend to believe that the ME is a good bit more affordable and since I did the work myself, I can varify that's it's a pretty simple installation. Get the one with the top-of-the-line controls ("Smart Flush"). Bill will probably comment too (Billylll that is) and agree with me that you won't regret the purchase.

Boatfix:

Cheaper version with less flush control: $406
http://www.boatfix.com/shop3/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=38732

Or the recommended "Smart Flush" control version: $610
http://www.boatfix.com/shop3/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=38731

Les has the best prices out there.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mixman

I also have the fresh water flush Marine Elegance and we love it.
Click to expand...


Friends installed one (with the high end controls) and they are very pleased with it.
 
VacuFlush is a great head, however it is 3-4 times more expensive than a Marine Elegance. A typical VacuFlush installation, complete, runs between $2,500.00 and $3,500.00; sometimes it includes labor, sometimes it doesn't.

Plus, if you want the VacuFlush to be covered under warranty, it must be installed by a factory technician, or the installation must be reviewed and approved by the factory.

With an Elegance, you can install it yourself, and the labor's free.

Capt Bill 1, the Marine Elegance is a relatively new product on the market; it was introduced in November, 2008. So there's a pretty good chance you haven't run across one as of yet. Most of the few builders who are still in business don't use them as OEM equipment. Maybe someday they will, but not yet.
 
what i like about VF is that there are very few parts... the pump itself is pretty bullet proof and very simple, being a bellow pump. Also, if something happens, it will continue to work and worst case you just turn it off between use, at least you can finish your trip and worry about it later. And if a careless guest flushes something they shouldn't have, it's very easy to clear.

but as Vic said you can't really buy the head and install it, unless you find the parts on Ebay or elswhere. that said, installation is very easy, you just run a hose from teh head to the vac pump/tank and then to the holding tank.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

what i like about VF is that there are very few parts... the pump itself is pretty bullet proof and very simple, being a bellow pump. Also, if something happens, it will continue to work and worst case you just turn it off between use, at least you can finish your trip and worry about it later. And if a careless guest flushes something they shouldn't have, it's very easy to clear.

but as Vic said you can't really buy the head and install it, unless you find the parts on Ebay or elswhere. that said, installation is very easy, you just run a hose from teh head to the vac pump/tank and then to the holding tank.

Click to expand...


But you do have to find room for the vacuum pump.

I considered a vacuflush and even had the local rep out to the boat. I didn't like how it was going to turn out with the vacuum pump blocking access to the battery charger and making routine engine service more difficult so I just replaced the old manual head with a new one.

The elegance is in my future plans because of reduced water use and my small holding tank.
 
true... although if you use the vacuum tank and separate vac. pump instead of the larger Vac generator combo, it's pretty easy to find room. the tank is pretty small and mounted inline between the head and the pump...
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

true... although if you use the vacuum tank and separate vac. pump instead of the larger Vac generator combo, it's pretty easy to find room. the tank is pretty small and mounted inline between the head and the pump...

Click to expand...


My boat is smaller than yours. ;)

Some of the Camanos were equipped from the factory with a vacuflush and I believe the pump and tank were under the V berth. Now if someone is sleeping and someone else uses the head .............
 
Installation of the Elegance is super-easy because everything is contained within the head (there's plenty of access to the few parts there is though). The only thing outside of the head is the control panel for flushing.

Pascal, you'd have to see one of these to believe it. This unit is going to put a hurtin' on Sealand in after-market upgrades. It's a simpler design, easier installation, and it's a no-brainer to use (just push a button). I'm sure Sealand will do just fine with all the boat manufacturers out there who install Vacuflush, but with the ME on the market, there's just no sense to go VF after-market.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

true... although if you use the vacuum tank and separate vac. pump instead of the larger Vac generator combo, it's pretty easy to find room. the tank is pretty small and mounted inline between the head and the pump...

Click to expand...


My boat is smaller than yours. ;)

Some of the Camanos were equipped from the factory with a vacuflush and I believe the pump and tank were under the V berth. Now if someone is sleeping and someone else uses the head .............

Click to expand...


The new VacuFlush pump motor is very, very quiet.

I had some retro fitting when they first came out on a Marlow I was running and you couldn't even hear them running once the hatch was closed to the bilge area where they were mounted. Even with it open the noise was very low.
 
kurt, you may be right... another good head is the Atlantes, i know a few folks who have installed them and are very happy.

the new VF motors are indeed very quiet, I replaced one last year and you can't hear it once the hatch is closed. but they're $300 for the motor, gear, bellow kit. Sealand is very proud of their products!
 
Thank you for all your comments and advice. Any suggestions or advice on size of waste tank?
I have a 44' Midnight Lace so its not huge in empty storage space.
 
I wonder if the continuous vacuum in the lines of the VF isnt better for reducing smells than having the pump in the head itself.
 
quote:
Originally posted by samjac

Thank you for all your comments and advice. Any suggestions or advice on size of waste tank?
I have a 44' Midnight Lace so its not huge in empty storage space.

Click to expand...


Your holding tank can never be too big.
 
I had a VacuFlush loved it until my wife had medical problems and then it would clog. It was properly installed. I replaced the 3 year old VacuFlush with the Raritan Marine Elegance, in fact I got one of the 1st sold to the public from Raritan thanks to Vic. I would never switch back. The thing will literally eat golf balls for lunch. It's also an easy installation, has very few parts to fail and using the smart controller actually uses less if not the same amount of water as my VacuFlush. No messy duckbills and I can confirm it ate a Tampon from an uneducated vistor we had at the boat a few weeks ago. I thought the motor was going bad called Vic and after about 5 flushes it ate and cleared that and I didn't even have to remove the motor choper assembly. If I did have to it is located behind the head and would have been much easier than getting to my VacuFlush duckbills with the old installation.
I can not say enough positive things about the Elegance.
Yes the VacuFlush was good but the Elegance is the Roto Rooter of heads, It's also much easier to install and maintain. It also doesn't do the mysterious Vac cycle like many of the VacuFlush units do when they get a bit older in the middle of the night.
I give the head the rating of AAA+++ in every aspect.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

I wonder if the continuous vacuum in the lines of the VF isnt better for reducing smells than having the pump in the head itself.

Click to expand...

The Elegance pulls it's own vacuum only when you flush but there is no vacuum tank for permiation. When we leave the boat I just flush a full bowl of water and Oderless effectively clearing the lines. There are also less line connections with the Elegance the head to the holding tank one hose 2 ends. With the VasuFlush you have 2 hoses one from the head to the Vacuum tank and then to the Holding tank. In my opinion there is no adavantage for odor control Bruce.
With the Elegance there is no bowl seal to scrub or should I say file to keep clean and seal, no breaking the valve on the pedal, virtually no training for non boaters that visit, no dual Duckbills to futz with either .
Bill
 
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