Head Compartment Redesign (June 1988)

The original head compartment, shown to the left below, consisted of the head and small, fold-down sink (picture is from a sister ship). This picture shows the toilet located more forward than the one in our boat (see the “after” picture). We had an idea that the compartment was large enough to fit the sink in the space between the toilet and the forward bulkhead and to provide a storage compartment outboard and above the sink. On the right, below, is the concept sketch.

We removed the old cabinet and sink. (left-hand picture, below, looking directly outboard) The project involved many measurements, mockups, detail design and hours of fabrication before it was complete. The right-hand picture, below, shows the installation of the sink counter. The center lower picture,  below, shows the installation of the storage compartment.

This is the picture the completed installation.

The tan vinyl wall covering was replaced with thinner, vertical grade, white Formica in 1994.

The sink plumbing includes a ball valve in the inlet to the hand pump. This valve is normally closed to prevent fresh water from the tank from pouring out the hand pump when the boat is heavily heeled to port. There is also a ball valve in the sink drain line to maintain suction for the inlet side of the toilet flush pump. This is because the sink drain and the the toilet pump inlet share the same thru hull connection.

{Lessons learned:

1. You should take the effort to use all available space in a small boat
2. It helps to have a good knowledge of plumbing for boats.}