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The HEAD

OK - so it's a bad subject - but we all need to use it and why not talk about it here. Actually this summer I got to share my throne and didn't think twice. Afterall, I have an AIRHEAD composting "throne."

On bigger boats there are a couple of options - on smaller fewer.

1. Traditional porcelain bowl with holding tank

a. Requires overboard or pumpout

b. High cost and lots of time and effort.

2. Portapotti

a. Requires personal interaction with someone's discharge.

b. Requires a small $ cost but a clip on the nose.

3. The bucket

a. Won't go there.

4. Other - I chose this one (i.e. composting).

The day we placed our order for our Menger 23 was the day we placed another valuable and

well made purchase - this one on our HEAD. After living aboard for almost 6 years - using

the "head" for showering, shaving and $%^^ing, I learned that going to the pumpout EVERY

week was a pain - and an expensive one - especially in places you had to pay!!!

We couldn't imagine living on the boat in Annapolis in the winter and being frozen in - no way

to get to a pumpout. We (I) removed our holding tank and installed a Raritan LectraSan to

electrically treat the waste without having to use a pumpout. It was great but we sold the boat.

Enough was enough and I knew there was a better way! Though it cost more than a portapotti

(and well worth the cost too), we now have a head whose product can be dumped on the garden

(uses compost and a little water), separates #1 from #2 to reduce smell and ease the waste

removal process. I even had a visitor (male) from another boat ask to use the head since the

catboat he was on was a bit small, and he didn't not want to sit next to the sleeping owner

(female).... No problem - lots of room... . And imagine this - this fall I decided to clean the

AIRHEAD after 3 summers of use. Not only was there nothing discernable there, but there

was absolutely no smell.

MORE on the techniques and the installation later -

or you can see http://www.airheadtoilet.com/Air_Headx.html

OH yea - Its great to have a head with a door - just like

some of the older wood catboats (20's and 30's) - Pinkletink....

Note: The hose goes to a solar powers fan to ventilate the tank

of the AIRHEAD - it has been moved to a less obtrusive location

on the stern.

The Rudder

Nothing like a rudder making noise at night to wake you up - or not let you get a sound sleep. In my case it was caused by the metal to metal nashing of the gears of our Edison steering - though great it has that one weakness. To fix it I STOLE the idea in the photo from Butch Miller - thanks Butch. I made a brace using a Cetole'd teak stick and gudgeons and pintles - attached the gudgeons to the transom and rudder - thru bolting them both - placed so the stick was at approximately 45degrees (close but not perfect... But NO MORE NOISE!

The Hatch Hinges & Hatch Board

My Menger 23 came with flimsy cockpit hatch hinges that easily worked loose.

I found - through a real chandlery in Searsport ME (same place I got the rub

rails - some hefty Brass hinges that still allowed me to easily remove the doors.

These guys won't move - and I think they look like they belong on the boat.

Also got tired real quick of the cheap teak

veneered Plywood hatch board that discolored

and would be prone to rot and warping. I cut a

piece of StarBoard and rounded all the edges

and put the teal back trim on - screwed onto

the StarBoard and Voila. No more uglyness and

it's VERY strong. The color is more easily seen

and also serves as a cutting board - just kidding!

Winterize IT.

Simple it is - the only 2 "big" things to winterize on our Menger 23 are the engine and

fresh water system.

1. Water. As depicted, I added a "T" hose connection to the line going in to the pump

from the fresh water tank. Attached to it is hose with plastic fitting that can be easily

capped when not needed for its intenfded purpose (i.e. sticking into a bucket of non

toxic Anti-Freeze).

a,. I first drain the water tank by running the water pump till it's empty.

b. I then uncap the extra hose and stick the end in the bucket with non-toxic anti-freexe.

c. Run the pump - open the sink, head and transom wash down spigots till they run RED.

d. Remove the hose from the bucket and cap - THAT'S IT.

2. Engine. I've added a Groco inline thru-hull fitting that allows you to attached a garden

hose to their special fitting. Note that this fitting can also be used to allow the engine to be

used as an emergency bilge pump. The water is still strained by the Groco Strainer depicted.

The hose is not depicted but the normal inline plug is.

a. Close thru- hull.

b. Attach Hose and fitting.

c. Place end of hose in Bucket of non-toxic anti-freeze.

d. Run engine till exhanst spits RED.

e. Secure engine, remove hose from bucket, or leave there - THAT's IT.

f. You can discunnect the hose and replace the normal plug for safety but not

necessary if it clearly evident that you need to remove the hose before opening the

thru hull valve. A wise move in any case.

Please note. The Menger came with a SMALL CHEAP PLASTIC Groco thru-hull seawater

strainer I removed almost as soon as I'd gotten the boat. IF the water in it had frozen, the

plastic would/could crack easily. Since I didn't want that and pase pleased with the top access,

size and strength of the Groco strainers - with glass bowls (have used Perko and just didn't

like the design, cork gaskets, etc.).

ALL THBS 2/04/06