Cover Story

CNB Marine Solutions

An EZ Fix

By Patty Eng Photos By GH Andrew

Brett Barrett knew there had to be a better way. A very noxious smell from the washroom, what mariners call the head, was engulfing his entire beloved boat. Brett knew it was a leaky joker valve in the marine toilet and the task of changing it didn’t thrill him. Plenty of boat owners try to ignore the smell as long as possible because changing the valve can mean getting raw sewage or toilet clogging material all over the floor. So what caused him to create a better way to handle this problem? “I have a mean wife,” Brett drolls with his dry humor.

As Brett’s wife, Nina, challenged her mechanical engineer husband to fix this problem quickly, he began to think about what was needed to change the valve without the mess and in less time. After he worked on the design, he fired up the 3D printer he had onboard to create his very first EZ Joker. It took about three to four days for the printer to make the prototype which he was able to install in minutes. Now he would able to change it again in the future without sewage being spilled everywhere or performing the necessary clean-up after a typical replacement. A bright new idea was born.

Realizing that other boat owners would need and appreciate an EZ fix to a messy problem, Brett created CNB Marine Solutions to manufacturer the EZ Jokers. “C” is for his mom, Carol, a huge supporter of the company and her brilliant son, Brett. Nina, the “N” in the company name, is actually not mean at all, just a no-nonsense mother and grandmother who doesn’t want their boat to smell bad or be awash in wastewater. Brett, a disabled veteran, is the “B” in the moniker, and wanted to not only have a creative solution but also a different kind of company that gives back to the community. Rounding out CNB is daughter Kodie Stafford who manages the office and sister Kristi Trent who is the website designer and master.

to A Messy Problem

From the CNB Marine Solutions website at cnbmarinesolutions.com

How to Change a Joker Valve

Before EZ Joker, the only way to change the Joker Valve on your marine toilet, was to remove the waste discharge elbow where it’s housed — and take the gush of raw sewage like a man.

With EZ Joker, changing your Joker valve couldn’t be easier. Let’s compare.

HOW TO CHANGE THE JOKER VALVE ON A MARINE TOILET

The Old Way vs. The EZ Way

CNB Marine Solutions is an all-American business located in Kemah, Texas. All materials, parts, and equipment are 100% made in the USA. Brett just doesn’t say that, he researches and documents everything to ensure that CNB is producing his home grown EZ Joker with domestic products. Brett also hires veterans to help him build and manufacture the three replacements that can fit most types of marine toilets: EZ Joker I for manual models, EZ Joker II for Raritan PH types, and EZ Joker III for those with vacuum flush. His full-service machine shop also produces other custom items for boats and pools such as railings and ladders.

Exactly what is a Joker valve? The Joker is a one direction valve that allows fluid and other material to leave the toilet without it going back the way it came. Joker valves do wear out and may have to be changed as often as three times a year depending on usage. Because they can be prone to leakage as they age, dirty water may seep out, causing the smell and mess. In a typical set-up, the water discharge elbow that holds the Joker has to be disconnected to change the valve, resulting in major spillage of whatever is backing up into the marine toilet or leaking on to the floor. There is nothing in regular pipe designs to prevent this, making the valve change a major headache and tremendous mess.

How does the EZ Joker provide the solution? Brett explains, “EZ Joker permanently replaces the discharge elbow where spills occur, so you never have to remove pipes or deal with raw sewage to change a Joker valve again. With a ¼ twist of the drum, EZ Joker’s patented rotating mechanism blocks water while providing easy access to the Joker valve. All you have to do to replace it is drop a new one in.”

The EZ Joker is getting attention both domestically and abroad. The United States has given CNB Marine Solutions three patents for this inventive valve system. Korea has awarded one patent and has another one pending. The European Union also has two patents pending. As much of their business is by mail order, CNB can essentially serve customers around the world.

CNB Marine Solutions featured the EZ Joker at last year’s IBEX, the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference for marine industry professionals. The EZ Joker was selected as one of the top 15 best items at the show. With its reasonable cost of starting around $150 each plus its great advantages for marine plumbing solutions, IBEX predicted it to be a huge game changer for boat owners needing an affordable and easy solution to an unpleasant problem.

Each EZ Joker is individually machined, drilled, and tested. With their money back guarantee, boat owners are given extra assurance about the diligence that every Joker gets prior to its being shipped free to the customer. In fact, Brett likes to hire veterans simply because of their attention to detail as well as their desire to work and ability to follow directions. It is all part of what makes CNB Marine Solutions a special company to work with – they care about their quality of their products and meeting the expectations of their customers. They are looking forward to helping you with your boating needs!

To find out more about CNB Marine Solutions, visit their website at cnbmarinesolutions.com or give them a call at 281-339-7494.

• Gather tools and safety gear • Remove the waste discharge elbow • Human water spills on you and floor • Lose your lunch (optional) • Clean up raw sewage with chemicals • Install the new valve • Reattach the elbow pipe • Dispose of the water • Attempt to deodorize the boat • Grab your valve • Rotate EZ Joker a ¼ turn and pull out the retainer • Toss the old valve and drop in a new one • Put the retainer back and rotate EZ

Joker a ¼ turn

NO TOOLS. NO SMELL. NO MESS.