FWIW, I used to do as Ernie states but I read somewhere, in the NS owner’s manual or maybe a Wilcox Crittenden manual, that the recommended winterization method was to simply put a decent quantity of antifreeze in bowl and pump it through. I have done so for the past few years, without any adverse consequences. Much easier. I do this when the boat is on the hard and any residual flush water has already been pumped into the holding tank.
David Young
Bay Cat, 30U #402
Traverse City / Suttons Bay, MI
When on the hard, mix 4 gallons of antifreeze in a 5 gallon bucket, run through the engine, and check for the exit. This leaves about 1/2 gallon of antifreeze in the pail. Dump this into the head and flush. This has worked for 20 years in northern Michigan.
Phil Harmeson
Catharsis. 30U #295
Traverse City, Mi
We too have an Airhead on our 30U. As others have noted, the height is a problem, as is exactly how to place it on the platform in the boat. We use a short folding step to solve the height problem, although the “Owner” (not the Admiral on this vessel), who is only 5’, 2", has stopped using the step. We glued/screwed two pieces of 3/4" plywood together and shaped it to extend the platform. The head is attached to the plywood. We routed the exhaust hose to the Dorade box in the shower and installed a solar vent on the box. The head blocks full opening of the two drawers in the head, which is not that big a deal, as well as the full opening of the locker behind it, only a problem when you need to service the fresh water pump.
If you are going to be sailing in heavy weather, empty the fluid tank first - if the rail is in the water, the tank is probably leaking!
A great number of people have been on the boat this season and many have commented on the fact the boat does not smell - there is no holding tank type smell. The only time I note the head smelling is on a hot day when you have not emptied the fluid tank recently. Very easily solved.
A big problem with converting the locker where the holding tank was into a wine locker is it is all fluids - you will have to empty the fluid tank on the Airhead more frequently! I suggest salted nuts to assist in fluid retention.
Lloyd Herman
Rendezvous, 1987 30U
Port Washington, NY
Glad to hear of another positive experience with a composting head, thanks for sharing.
Did you install the solar vent instead of the muffin fan? Or do you have both? I assume you used the existing vent from the shower to the Dorade. Is that right, or did you drill a separate hole?
Jim - we did not use the muffin fan, just the solar powered vent. Appears to work fine. We have just run the hose to the Dorade vent opening in the shower (we have a"U", not sure if the same works on a “C”). Is a rough looking result. This winter I may replace the majority of the run with PVC painted some neutral color which I will run through the wooden divider between the shower and head instead of around. With a smooth inside to the pipe, should give me better air flow and will look better. I believe Brooks did a similar install on his 30 when he installed the Airhead. (Brooks answered numerous questions for me while I considered buying the Airhead - started to refer to him as my Airhead Mentor.) Will also give me someplace to hand a washcloth while I shower. I have a variety of photos I can share. Unless there is a demand on the list for photos, lets manage it off the list. I will send them to the e-mail in the directory either later today or tomorrow.