Vacuflush: What is the trouble free life expectancy?

MonacoMike

MonacoMike

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2009
14,721
Indiana lakes and Lake Michigan
Boat Info
2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
Engines
85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
If one had a new boat with Vacuflush and every precaution were taken, how long would the system be trouble free? Is this a year or so, or 5-10 years, without "nasty" maintenance? What is the weakest link, duckbills or seals? MM
 
I'm only on season #2 and all is OK. Since this system is based on vacuum it does not take much of a leak for the pump to start cycling. That means the seal under the toilet, duckbills, hose & clamps all have to be perfect. I'm sure some can provide long term feedback so let's see what others say.
 
My 1998 290 DA was bought new, and it was trouble free for 6 years. I've been in my current boat for 3 years and have replaced the flush pedal mechanism. Seals are all OK.

Don
 
My boat is a 1996 and I have never done anything but maintain my system............but this ain't my first rodeo and I know how to avoid problems.
 
My boat is a 310 2001, had to replace the filter once, also the vent on top of the tank, that is it, ten years. I always clean the bowl, and maintain the system regularly.

R.Blatter
 
The aft system hasn't been opened up since the boat left the factory in 1996. I periodically time how long it takes to build a vacuum. Lots of water is flushed though and the pressure is relieved when the system won't be used for an extended period. So far, so good.

The fwd head is used much more often. I can usually go about 2 years before making a bad assumption that everyone knows how to use an MSD. The fwd system has seen its share of cotton-tailed mice, hairpins, huge qty's of toilet paper, triple-ply paper, wet-wipes, wet-wipes when people ignore the "DO NOT FLUSH" writing on the box, wet-wipes that people bring aboard on their own, dental floss, and I think I recall once finding wet-wipes AND dental floss...
 
I'm in my 6th year, so far I have only replaced the probe for indicator "1/2" and the vent filter. (the vent filter never was over flowed) I use only Dometic / Sealand products in season, clean it at the end of each weekend, and use Dupont Marine / RV antifreeze during layup. This is my first rodeo with vacuflush, I hope my duck bill valves never get chapped lips.
 
This question is like asking "How many hours can I get on a gas engine in my boat."

Too many variables. For example, if your family eats lots of dry oatmeal with nuts (i.e. bleeding turds), it can have accelerated wear on the system or if your family eats old-people-baby-food-for-people-with-no-teeth-that's-been-put-through-a-blender followed by an Ensure chaser and is easy to digest (i.e. Frank W.), then that can reduce wear.
 
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I have a 2001 270DA. The only thing I had to do was replace the duck bills several years ago. The vacuum pump cycled on and off every 5 minutes or so. I did it myself and it was not hard. Flush the system with LOTS of fresh water first and it is not messy or stinky either. BTW nobody poops on my boat. No kidding - they go to the restroom up the hill at the marina. On mine the threads on the duck bill assembly were "left hand" threads - no kidding. Be careful. They are plastic and if you try to loosen them you are actually tightening them. I used teflon pipe joint compound on all the pipe threads. Afterwards some "old salts" told me not to do this. But with the pipe joint sealer, after replacing the duck bills the system will hold a vacuum for days without the vacuum pump running. I recommend that you buy the "repair kit" from the vacu-flush people and keep it on board.
 
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'97 250 - no issues for 10 years, then we sold the boat.

'05 340 - no issues for the boat's 6 1/2 years (4 years to us), then we traded the boat.

'08 44DB - so far, so good.
 
What Gary said.

I put in a new set of duckbills and the first person who ate corn on the cob jammed one open, necessitating an in the field repair.
 
Four Suns said:
This question is like asking "How many hours can I get on a gas engine in my boat."

Too many variables. For example, if your family eats lots of dry oatmeal with nuts (i.e. bleeding turds), it can have accelerated wear on the system or if your family eats old-people-baby-food-for-people-with-no-teeth-that's-been-put-through-a-blender followed by an Ensure chaser and is easy to digest (i.e. Frank W.), then that can reduce wear.
Click to expand...

:smt043 Now that is funny. I could avoid a messy job by taking the "material" out to a blender on the swim platform, plugging the blender into the portable generator, liquefying the "material", returning the "material" to the bowl, all while hoping the Coasties do not see the blue LED's on the blender. UGH!!!


Hampton said:
'97 250 - no issues for 10 years, then we sold the boat.

'05 340 - no issues for the boat's 6 1/2 years (4 years to us), then we traded the boat.

'08 44DB - so far, so good.
Click to expand...

That is a good track record. I hope to follow in your shining example. :smt038
 
mistercomputerman said:
What Gary said.

I put in a new set of duckbills and the first person who ate corn on the cob jammed one open, necessitating an in the field repair.
Click to expand...

Four Suns said:
You mean "corn and the cob"...

My youngest son can poop a turd that's about the same size he is... never seen anything like it.
Click to expand...

This thread has clearly degenerated, and now, has turned "corny" :smt043
 
My head did not work yesterday, so my guest had to hold it... When they left, I found that I had accidentally disconnected the 12v power connection to the vacuum pump... I think the power line my come disconnected more often, so I won't have to carry Other People Turds (OPT) around...
 
Since new, nothing has been replaced or needed to replace. Works silky smooth!
 
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