The Modern-day Flush: Push All the Right Buttons

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The Modern-day Flush: Push All the Right Buttons

Several of the units PS looked at came with what might be called “smart” flushing capability. Instead of a simple momentary switch—push to flush, release to stop flushing—these switches controlled flow and the timing of various filling and flushing functions. Most allowed for about a half-gallon of water for a full flush, and a five-second delay between rinse and flush.

1. The Jabsco Lite Flush panel offered a buffet of functions: fill, flush, empty, and quick flush, which uses very little water.

2. Johnson Pumps Aqua-T (80-47436-01) had a simple membrane “push-to-flush” button, an interface that left no ambiguity.

3. & 4. The more rugged and nearly identical rocker switches on the Johnson Pumps Aqua-T (80-47231-01) and the Jabsco Quiet Flush allowed for simultaneous fill and flush, fill, or flush. Testers found this a good compromise between automation and manual control, without becoming too complicated.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him at darrellnicholson.com.