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Vacuflush vs regular macerator

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by CTdave, Jul 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM.

  1. CTdave, Jul 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM
    #1
    CTdave

    CTdave Senior Member

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    I have two failing vacuflush pumps in my Hatteras in the engine room. I've found Dometic and Sealand have exact replacements but naturally, everyone planned out a big long weekend for me and nobody has these in stock. I have found regular macerator pumps and wondered if I can simply replace the Vacuflush with a straight up macerator.
    This is a direct replacement that I found but again, nothing I can get today and fix the issue.

    Attached Files:

  2. Capt Ralph, Jul 3, 2025 at 12:51 PM
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The vacuum pump has 4 duckbill valves, the black pump pictured has 2.
    What is your failure?
  3. rtrafford, Jul 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
    #3
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Failure to flush?
  4. Capt Ralph, Jul 3, 2025 at 2:10 PM
    #4
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    It's always a few days before a holiday that you go down to your idle boat, start cleaning up, checking this and that out, and when your about to walk aweigh, that last beer needs to be relived.
    Then the smile quickly disappears; The last issue on the boat,,, The Head..
    Why is it the Head always has issues rite before a holiday??
  5. rtrafford, Jul 5, 2025 at 9:54 AM
    #5
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    I always assume the Head got its name from being at the head of the list of projects.

    Shifting to a macerating gravity flow system was a very meaningful upgrade to the vessel. Need to crack down on their noise, but overall a huge win.
  6. DOCKMASTER, Jul 5, 2025 at 10:34 AM
    #6
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    I agree. One of the best mods I made on my boat was to rip out the entire vacuum-flush system and install the self-contained Raritan macerator heads. 4 years now and not a single issue or clog (knock wood). And with the option to use raw water or fresh water I’m amazed how little fresh water we use on multi-day trips now. I’m out right now on a 3 day trip with 8 people aboard and I will not have to use the Watermaker.
  7. Pascal, Jul 5, 2025 at 11:43 AM
    #7
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    They must be male sailboaters :). Not women with long hair!
  8. DOCKMASTER, Jul 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM
    #8
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    ha! Three women, two with long hair. But seasoned boaters and I’ve trained them over the years
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  9. rtrafford, Jul 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
    #9
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    you keep taking them out, so I’d suggest that they’ve trained you…..;)
    leeky and Capt Ralph like this.
  10. incoming, Jul 6, 2025 at 9:37 AM
    #10
    incoming

    incoming Active Member

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    I agree with this. I had vacuflush on my two previous boats. I thought they were supposed to be the best. But every one of them was a headache at some point. I have a raritan on my current boat and I couldn't be happier. No vacuum pump clunking in the middle of the night. No returning to the boat after being away only to hear the pump running, not knowing how long its been running and why and then needing a rebuild. No searching for air leaks. No instructing people to let the pedal slam up in order to get it to seal properly after a flush.

    The raritan just works and is dead simple to repair. Just a macerator pump, inlet pump, and simple control circuit.
  11. MBevins, Jul 6, 2025 at 9:59 AM
    #11
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    Must agree, I'd never go back to a vaccu-flush system. Macerator is definitely the way to go. Been around a lot longer than vaccu , it must have been great marketing that got it entrenched in the industry.
  12. Pascal, Jul 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
    #12
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    VF were superior 10-15 years but motor technology has igreqtky improved and so have macerating heads