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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

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CKidd
Deckhand

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7 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/29/2004 : 00:22:06

<font face="Arial">Similar to a recent thread concerning the cleaning out of a full head tank left by a PO, I too am in the middle of the same right now. My conclusion...NOT FUN! I'm really second guessing keeping the Crittenden head and 14 gallon tank in favor of a removable porta-potti, but I've dealt with porta-potti systems on our camper and those were not the most pleasant experiences either. My initial thought was that my present system would have more capacity than the standard or large capacity porta-potties, but after reading the O&M manual, I'm concerned on how much water the system uses per flushing. I also envisioned that the marina pump-out station would be a better experience than hauling the porta-potti around, but I'm a novice there too and unsure about the whole thing. Question, are most owners prefering the porta potties, do many still use the Crittenden system, and if so, how many uses can you get before having to pump the head tank empty. Any feedback would be appreciated. I'll be sailing on an inland lake.</font id="Arial">

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RoofRoof
Navigator

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USA
186 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2004 : 19:14:10

My chickie would not even have considered a portapotti. Having a real marine head was one of the reasons we landed on a Catalina 25. Some other models we were considering had only portapotties.

We sail exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico off of Tampa Bay. We're usually out the required miles and hence pump overboard. We have a "Y" valve just in case we are boarded while within the 3 mile limit. But, it really only rarely gets used, and only when we're out in the Gulf.

We decided on the marine head easily. She said, "I'm not emptying it, and I said, I'm not emptying it." Porta Potti that is. So, marine head it is. By the way, we do have a holding tank that has never been used, but is plumbed in the system via the "Y" valve.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2004 : 20:06:33

Have you considered a porta-potti that has a pump-out feature? Best of both worlds IMHO . . .

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2004 : 11:35:32

Cleaning out the holding tank ? I presume some one left a nasty deposit in there for you. There are addatives you can use to desolve the left over debris. Holding tanks is not empty after each trip can be like septic systems. Some live microbes must be in the tank to desolve any solids . You can also get toilet paper that desolves. Local RV store will be cheaper than West Marine. Same for chemicals and any plumbing parts. Flushing is another issue. Some people dont know how to use a head correctly. Ok it might be embarasing but. 1)pre wet the bowl with one or two pumps. 2)line part of the bowl with TP to prevent fecal material from sticking. 3) When using the head for #2 while seated and in the act give it a pump (1) to aid the deposit along into the pump and tank. I find doing this or a variation of it you should only need 2 or 3 strokes to move the debris to where it belongs. Also consider the distance from the head to holding tank. On some boats the tank is under a seat and on others its in the bow. You may be leaving material in the line. If so a good pump out at the end of the trip will be needed. Odor in the head lines / plumbing can be eliminated by flushing with fresh water and a little lemon juice after a trip. If your in salt water this odor is more of a problem. Good maintenance will prevent it. Run a tea spoon or two of vegatable oil down the head once in a while to keep the seals lubed. When you empty the holding tank pump it out re fill it by pumping the head and empty it again untill you get no debris showing in the pump out fitting view tube. Ugly I know but ! Some stations may not have this clear part on the sucktion line. If you have a Y valve be sure to keep a device on it to lock it into the tank possition. Its a hefty fine if your caught. Place a nice stick up or air freshener in the head area . If you have enough money you can go whole hog and get a macerator system and a teflon bowl.

Edited by - Douglas on 05/30/2004 11:36:43

CKidd
Deckhand

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7 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2004 : 19:11:21

RoofRoof, OJ, & Douglas - Thanks for your input. I'm going to proceed with the existing system another season or two and then decide on another course of action if needed. I appreciate your comments.

Chris Kidd

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2004 : 12:12:36

There is an absolutely terrific lady called Peggy Hall on the website for Catalina-Hunter-Beneteau-etc, called "the Head Mistress" which is worth reading, she (literally) wrote the book on heads and is very helpful to querants, Ron srsk #2343 Orion SW FL

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Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2004 : 11:48:57

Since I also am new to heads other than helpning on a friends Catalina 30, I quieried Peggy Hall and Also bought her book, it is a worthy purchase and is currently on board! By using her system I have NO head odor that I had when I first bought the boat. And THAT is good!

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2004 : 20:55:04

The head should not use much water to flush if you do it according to the instructions. Also, you should use water supplied from a through-hull valve to supply your head, not water from the fresh water tank (esp. if latter is not equipped with a check valve!)I bought my C25 (as did others) in large part because of the marine head. I have it pumped out occasionally, or dump overboard through a Y-valve whenever I am offshore far enough.

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TomA
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 14:28:21

In the "for what it is worth column", I keep a gallon or two of fresh water in plastic milk jugs tucked in beside the head. I find it easy to tell my guests to pour in water from the jug and pump the handle to clear the bowl. I don't have to deal with opening through hulls and switching the lever a couple of times on the head. Also, fresh water (as opposed to salt) seems to help in the fight against odor. But, everyone has their ways of doing things.

Tom

Edited by - TomA on 06/03/2004 14:29:24

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2004 : 14:35:26

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">When you empty the holding tank pump it out re fill it by pumping the head and empty it again untill you get no debris showing in the pump out fitting view tube<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Or have the guy pumping it out fill it with the hose and re-vacuum. Its quicker and the standard procedure at every pump out station I've been to around here.

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