Replacing the Head on Snow Goose: A Practical First Step in a Grand Banks Refurbishment

When you buy a used boat, the sensible approach is to tackle the messy, essential work right away. That was exactly the plan after Onne van der Wal bought a 1986 Grand Banks 32 named Snow Goose. He started by clearing the vessel of gear so there would be space to work, then focused on the bilge and the boat’s most unpleasant job: the head.

After removing everything that was in the way, Onne gave the bilge a thorough cleaning to eliminate accumulated grime and old residue. With the workspace prepared, he turned to the toilet. His initial plan had been to refurbish the existing unit by sourcing replacement parts, but many needed components were difficult to find. Faced with limited parts availability and the attractive price of a new marine head, roughly $200, he opted for a full replacement.

Removing the old toilet exposed the need to reconfigure some of the plumbing. Instead of leaving the old mounting holes and pipe penetrations visible, Onne created a template and made a tidy cover to conceal those openings. The template ensured the new cover fit well and preserved a clean finish in the head compartment. In the accompanying video he describes the steps he took and the reasoning behind replacing rather than repairing the original unit.

The head project was only one part of a broader interior refresh. Onne’s wife, Tenley, researched new interior LED lights to modernize the cabin lighting. The LED upgrade will be installed at a later date and will improve energy efficiency, reduce heat, and provide better illumination compared with older incandescent fixtures.

Onne is deliberate about the environment he creates while working. He prefers to have NPR or classical music playing, which brings a focused and pleasant atmosphere to the job. During a previous refit of his sailboat Snoek, he experimented with a traditional car stereo and nice speakers, but the result disappointed him. Learning from that experience, he switched to a Bluetooth-based solution that performed far better for his needs.

On Snoek he installed Bose Soundlink Revolve+ speakers mounted on custom aluminum and wooden brackets he fabricated in his workshop. Rather than abandoning the old wiring, he repurposed the speaker wires from the previous stereo system, adding USB connectors to run the speakers from the boat’s 12-volt electrical system. The result provided simple, reliable audio powered directly from the boat, controlled by an iPhone via Bluetooth.

Music on board is supplied from an iPhone. Onne uses the Bose app to wake the speakers, then plays music through Spotify or tunes into a classical radio station. The approach is uncomplicated, uses modern wireless convenience, and delivers a listening experience he describes as sounding “like a concert hall.”

Looking Ahead: More Upgrades and Ongoing Maintenance

Replacing the head and planning the interior lighting are the opening chapters in a larger refit. There are many upgrades still planned for Snow Goose, including a full electronics package to replace the original navigation and communication equipment, new canvas, and a series of cosmetic and mechanical repairs. Each task is prioritized to improve safety, reliability, and comfort while respecting the boat’s character.

When he is not on assignment, Onne will continue working aboard Snow Goose, applying the same practical approach: remove what’s in the way, clean thoroughly, evaluate whether to repair or replace, and make durable, tidy installations. This methodical process not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for future improvements.

Follow along as Onne turns the old Snow Goose into a refreshed, reliable Grand Banks 32 — a thoughtful restoration that balances hands-on craftsmanship, sensible upgrades, and modern conveniences.