Fixing the vacuflush

So when we got the boat, the vacuum pump would not shut off.  So I researched the problem, and then  bought 4 duckbill valves to see if that was the problem.  Nope!

So then it was possibly:
1) Leaking at the pump/bellows
2) Leaking at the toilet bowl
3) Faulty vacuum sensor
4) Vacuum leak

I'm told you'd much rather replace an expensive sensor or pump then try and track down a vacuum leak. It didn't seem to be leaking at the bowl, so I figured I'd upgrade the vacuum pump, since the new version is quieter and the conversion includes the bellows.  Rebuilt the pump with the new motor and bellows and fired it up... and it ran... and ran... and ran...

So my buddy Steve attacked the vacuum tank and the next thing we know we've got it apart and found the problem... the gasket in the sensor was pinched and leaking.  Steve says "Do you want to fix it like a cruiser? or go spend $200 on the part?"  So we fixed it like cruisers and I'm thinking to myself, "Man, I really don't want to tear this thing apart again if that didn't work." But sure enough it worked.

So yay, we got a head that works.  Except I left the pump hanging by the hoses.  So time to go button it up, and wouldn't you know it, I guess there's 2 ways to mount the motor, and I mounted it the wrong way.  So take it all back apart again (much faster this time, with the right tools I think I can rebuild one of these in under 2 minutes now) and finally, she's back together.

Heads or tails it's a dirty job!

I was amazed at how heavy the Skipper II was when I lifted it out of the head.  Looks like it's 80lbs of bronze and porcelain.  Ours leaks, so it's getting rebuilt. Here's the before picture.

Skilled or Unskilled Labor

We all know, whether it’s a house, a car or a boat, day-to-day cleaning and maintenance are as important as bigger maintenance issues and upgrades.  If I had any doubt about my abilities in this area before, it became quite clear to me after I reviewed the to-do list that Jason so diligently put together.  While he is skilled labor, I am decidedly unskilled and have been assigned such tasks as cleaning the rigging, scraping the teak on deck and cleaning the barbeque. 

It is now that I am grateful that he adamantly objected to some of my early dream boats, all of which were externally covered in extensive amounts of teak.  With a huge smile and a gleam in my eye, I would say, “Honey, look at this one! It’s perfect.”  He would say, “No, it has teak decks, too much work.”  He’s a great woodworker, so I just thought he was being lazy.  After all, when you’re cruising, I’m sure there’s plenty of time to do a little woodwork.  But, now that I know I’m the one assigned to woodwork, I’m more than a little thankful.  And whether or not it was his intention, he has given me more time for tanning and reading!  After the current round of teak scraping and cleaning are done, of course.

Don't be condescending to unskilled labor. Try it for a half a day first.
Brooks Atkinson