Association Forum - porta potti or marine head

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

porta potti or marine head

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Page: of 2

mdunn
Deckhand

Member Avatar

10 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/24/2006 : 21:14:40

from practical experience which is preferable a porta potti or marine head. I have my eye on a boat that looks decent and it is on a trailer but its has a porta potti. Also it doesn't have a stove. Thoughts?

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2006 : 21:31:09

Hi Mark,

You'll get plenty of different opinions here about which is better, but those opinions would be about the convenience, reliability, etc. etc. once you own the boat.

IMO, since you are looking to buy a boat that has never (presumably) had a marine head in it, that also means it doesn't have a big stinky mess for you to deal with. If the porta potty is nasty, just throw it away and replace it ... that's MUCH easier than repairing or otherwise dealing with a 25 year old waste system.

So, if I were in your shoes, I'd look at the porta potty as a big plus. It frees you to look at other, more important things, like the condition of the deck, chainplates & rigging, etc. etc. etc. You can always add a marine head later, if you decide that's what you want once you own the boat.

'Hope that helps ... good luck!

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2006 : 21:37:44

'Forgot to say anything about the lack of a stove ... 'not a big deal ... most of us have replaced the old alcohol "curtain burner" anyway (except for Richard, who has an ongoing love affair with his old curtain burner

).

Again, I'd concentrate more on the condition and seaworthiness of the boat. BTW, the fact that the boat you're looking at has a trailer is a BIG plus!

Here is a link that might also help: [url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/summert2.asp"]Self-appraising a C-25[/url]

Be sure to ask lots of questions ... there are a lot of really knowledgeable sailors here who are willing to help out ... good luck!

Edited by - on

ajski1000
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2006 : 21:56:59

I have to agree with Buz,

IMHO, if the boat has no prior head system, it would be very costly and a real pain in the butt, to install a waste system.

However, there are benefits to both having one and not having one.

Most notably the capacity of a permanent system vs a porti. (But there are variable sizes for the porti's)

But also keep in minds that come winter time (if you have a decommissioning season) that there is maintenance to be done.

Again it all depends on what you are looking for, but like I said before i think it would a waste of your time to install a waste system in a boat that doesn’t already have one.

Also check in are archives, there may be a thread or two on this subject.

Cheers, and hope that helps!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2006 : 21:57:33

Hi Mark... There are many variables here...

What are the facilities for disposing of waste? If you have convenient pump-outs, that's a plus for a marine head. If not, then the porta-potti (with appropriate enzyme treatments) can be emptied into a toilet with surprising little odor, but you want a place to clean it out after dumping--with a hose and a little bleach.

When we bought Passage, we did not have convenient pump-out facilities, but dumping and cleaning a porta-potti was no problem, so that was a good solution. We bought a 5-gallon SaniPotti because the original 1.5 gallon unit was obviously not adequate for more than one day/night. Not dealing with the plumbing and odor issues was a plus.

However, I am now looking at changing boats, and live in a different situation where dumping and cleaning will not be as convenient (or even reasonable). But I have several pump-out options close by, so a holding tank and deck pump-out looks like a better solution.

Regarding many preconceptions, modern portables, especially the 5-gallon units, are virtually odor-free (with the right chemicals) and easy to use, empty, and clean. Marine toilets can actually be smellier (often due to the hose connections and water sources), and present more maintenance issues. Plus, you can't take them outside, fill them with diluted bleach, dump them out, and spray them down.

So, circumstances and preferences all play into the decision.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/24/2006 : 23:24:58

Porta-potti was the right choice for me. Simple, lowest possible maintenance, no smell.
Our rule is: no solids. An easy message to convey to guests.
Our little potti is good for 3 to 5 days.
I had earmarked some funds to convert to an eco-potti, one that composts the solids and is self contained without the need for a holding tank...but found the porta-potti works best for us at relatively no cost.
Good luck with the purchase decisions, take the time to look thru old threads and you'll find a wealth of information.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 00:10:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mdunn
 from practical experience which is preferable a porta potti or marine head. I have my eye on a boat that looks decent and it is on a trailer but its has a porta potti. Also it doesn't have a stove. Thoughts?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

On the boats I've owned, one with a port-a-potty and the other with a marine head, I made do with what they came with, but I prefer the marine head with its large capacity holding tank. I do have a pumpout dock at my marina so it is very convenient to empty.

Another option you might consider is the porta-potty with a pumpout feature. Kind of the best of both worlds.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 00:24:39

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Marine toilets can actually be smellier (often due to the hose connections and water sources), and present more maintenance issues. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

With the aforementioned chemicals, marine heads can too be odor free.

As far as maintenance goes, I think schlepping a porta-potty to a suitable emptying site is way more maintenance intensive than what I do with a marine head.

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 04:25:17

I just put a combination system in my boat made by Thetford. It's a porta potti with a type III storage tank. I also installed a pump out and vent. Total cost $250. To my mind, I have the best of both worlds, but since this is a new installation, time will tell if my theory pans out. I opted not to put in any through hulls both for simplicity and to keep the hull smooth. So I either pump it out or remove the tank and dump it.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 06:41:39

Basically, what everyone else said is correct. The stove and the head are amenities and not necessities - you can easily add them for a few hundred dollars.

A good inspection and appraisal may well correct for that.

If the boat floats and is structurally sound you can always add those items later.

Pot vs Head - If I am cruising I want a head, however I have free pumpout facilities at my club. Even a portopot with pumpout is useless if you can't pump it out anywhere. If I am racing I want a bucket.... If I didn't have a pumping station I'd probably want the portojohn. None of them are exactly comfortable....

dw

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 07:41:22

Having rebuilt two marine heads and replaced all the smelly hoses and one old holding tank in previous boats, I've become a porta-potti kind of guy. Bought a spiffy electric flush unit at an RV store and am happy as a carp in a septic tank.

I've also not had any "incidents" (yet) while emptying the porta-potti but I did once have the hose come loose from the deck valve during a pumpout. Not a pleasant experience.

As far as the stove, we removed the stove from our 1st C25 and don't trust the alcohol stove on our current boat (justifiably or not) so we don't use it. Have a Magma party-size grill on the stern rail for when we're anchored out and a one-burner electric unit for when we're using shore power.

Steve

Edited by - Lightnup on 05/25/2006 07:48:14

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 09:03:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Marine toilets can actually be smellier (often due to the hose connections and water sources), and present more maintenance issues. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

With the aforementioned chemicals, marine heads can too be odor free.

As far as maintenance goes, I think schlepping a porta-potty to a suitable emptying site is way more maintenance intensive than what I do with a marine head.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
No real argument there--as I said, it depends on your situation--mine has changed from carry-and-dump to pump-out being easiest. If you don't have pump-out facilities or can't get to unrestricted waters, a marine head has to be locked up.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 09:09:41

Oh, and regarding a stove... I ripped out the factory "curtain burner" (pressurized alcohol) and replaced it with a 2-burner Origo non-pressurized alcohol stove--expensive and overkill for me. Many people get by very nicely with a little butane stove from Wal-Mart or wherever--it stowes away and can be used in the cockpit or galley. Rail-mount grills are nice, but for making coffee on a chilly morning, it's nice to have something in the galley.

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

Members Avatar

672 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 18:42:01

I'd opt for the porta potty...the biggest you can find. About 10 years ago I swapped a messy and old holding tank (in a 43' houseboat) for the largest pp I could find...worked out great.

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 05/25/2006 : 23:27:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">As far as maintenance goes, I think schlepping a porta-potty to a suitable emptying site is way more maintenance intensive than what I do with a marine head<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

A very good point!

Another thing not mentioned here regarding available pumpout facilities is you won't need any if you can simply pump out overboard at least 3 miles offshore (ocean) -- very simple.

Regarding the curtain burner, I've been fortunate that mine has always been in good working order (and it's original!)...if not, I'd replace it in a heartbeat.

Edited by - on

mdunn
Deckhand

Members Avatar

10 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 00:43:21

the combo porta is sounding appealing. it is likely obviouse from my questions that this will be my first big boat and i thank you all for your thoughts. i think the key here is that i get an understanding of what my options are. so much to learn.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 01:36:12

Go for the Porta-Potti, but not a small one!
3 days and the small one becomes a liablity. We'll be upgrading ours to a larger version before the year is out.

Re emptying it.. no problem, just a flush at any bathroom does the trick.
We keep the contents minimal, no flush, just a quick spray from a water bottle.

One thing not to do... don't leave it full when trailering ... you'll only do that once

Paul

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 08:11:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
Another option you might consider is the porta-potty with a pumpout feature. Kind of the best of both worlds.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Exactly

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

Members Avatar

171 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 10:01:25

PortaPotti is the only way to go on our lake which has no pumpout. There is one C25 there with a marine head and he's rigged a way to pumpout into an RV portable holding tank that he then wheels over to the RV dump. The only time we encountered frustration was while cruising in the San Juan Islands. We had spent three nights at various anchorages when we headed to Fisherman's Bay on Lopez Island to take care of "utilities" only to find that the only porta potty dumping facility was out of order. All restrooms were plastered with signs warning & threatening those who would dare use a toilet for this purpose. Unfortunately some other desparate soul proved the signs to be right as their attempt to use the toilet to empty their tank was disasterous. I'll definately check out the new-fangled "hybrid" discussed above.

As for the stove, we have our original curtain burner that works great. However since most of our sailing happens at 5000' altitude we find the portable butane burner a great solution. We use it inside and out. Nothing like whipping up an omelette in the cockpit on a sunny summer morning.

And it's nice to saute mushrooms to top your steak that's grilling on the Magma.

Edited by - on

cdreamonly
1st Mate

Members Avatar

27 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2006 : 20:19:57

Here is one more small piece of info..if you happen to sail into Canadian waters they have a strict policy about heads...no removable heads (I wonder if that also means buckets!). Here is a link to their boating safety regs site...http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/facts/foreign.htm#6

Good luck & enjoy your boat.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2006 : 16:25:40

While we're on the subject, another tip regarding portables...

Whenever you're about to use it, open the slide-valve slightly to "burp" the holding tank, which can build up pressure from the... well, you know. Failing to do so can cause a messy spray after you've done your business and open the valve to flush.

Edited by - on

Juniper
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
6 Posts

Response Posted - 06/20/2006 : 20:11:46

Hey,

I recently completed an installation of a basic Jabsco marine head into a boat that originally had the porta-potti. I would agree with the majority of the replies in that the head really was the last interior modification I made. As a former scow and Snipe sailor, I would always apply funds to the rig and sails, then safety considerations, before bothering with a head.

Also the original seacock setup was, I think, 1 below the v-berth and 1 under the pan shelf for the stove, both gate valves with 3/4" barbs. If you are interested in using this setup for a marine head I can run down the retrofit details for you. Essentially, the forward seacock is fine as intake, but the aft seacock is a long run of hose from the head and with reduction hardware only liquids can pass through it anyway. This is without the addition of a macerator pump between the head the aft seacock. However, if you're on the Great Lakes I don't believe a macerator would be of any use to you. Also, you would need to install a holding tank. I installed a 9 gallon holding tank under the v-berth forward of the former vanity seacock (I ripped out the vanity), mounted on a shelf on two mini bulkheads.

Lastly, splining and installing these bulkheads was very tricky, probably the least pleasurable refit project I've done on my boat in a continual year and a half of work.

I would say, then, never mind the marine head.

Cheers.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2006 : 00:23:25

OK, my turn. Portapotty, the 6 plus gallon holding tank was our best choice with all the experiences above. Did years ago installed a vent with a small clear tubing from the tank to a copper tube drilled through just below the rub rail, removed when dumping the unit. No odor or puffing when opening to flush. Then after several years of a single tank got a second unit and now carry it like two gas tanks when cruising and now have the freedom to cruise without planning around where to dump and wash out the unit. Learned to rebuild the bellows pump and now have a back up top. Still have the alcohol stove and it still does a good job just catch the prime.

Edited by - on

ilnadi
Captain

Members Avatar

452 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2006 : 14:26:38

Although we all have opinions (I have head w/holding tank and no stove) you should ask higher authority, should you be beholden to such: the admiral. My limited experience is that the fair sex's happines will be proportional to their satisfaction with the facilities.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mdunn
 
from practical experience which is preferable a porta potti or marine head. I have my eye on a boat that looks decent and it is on a trailer but its has a porta potti. Also it doesn't have a stove. Thoughts?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2006 : 19:37:23

In the past two years we've covered this topic several times and it still makes me grin every time I see it come out.

As that old saying goes (modified here for public consumption)
Everyone has a bowel movement story.

That said, its a good question.

Edited by - stampeder on 06/21/2006 19:38:01

britinusa
Web Editor

Members Avatar

USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2006 : 06:57:46

If you go with the Porta Potti, get the biggest that will fit.
The small PP that comes with the 05 model of the C250 only holds about 2 days of heavy duty use

You would think Porta Potti would offer a larger holding tank as an upgrade!
Heck, it would be ok to keep the old tank as a spare ... just in case

Paul

Edited by - on

Page: of 2

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.