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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

porta potty nightmare

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Tupelo Honey
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/18/2002 : 12:21:05

well, i had a terrible experience yesterday; please don't let it happen to you. i went into the head and opened the slide on my porta potty. there had been less than an 1/8" of water/chemical solution lying on top of the disc that separates the two units. i don't know whether it was due to the heat, or something else, but when i opened it, the liquid exploded in my face, covering the walls with blue and blinding me for fifteen minutes. we flushed my eyes for an hour, and my vision gradually returned, but today--24 hours later--i still have pain in my eyes, as though someone punched me.

RULE: don't ever open the slide with the cover up, and please, open it slowly.

regards,
david

Catalina 250WB
Long Island Sound
"Tupelo Honey"
<BR><img src="http://www.stardive.org/tupelo.jpg"<img src

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2002 : 12:32:45

Looks like Tupelo Honey will take on a new meaning. Sorry could not resist. Im afraid I had a good laugh when I read your post. Although it was a terrable thing to go through I must admit I have done the same thing when camping. Heat will cause pressure and so will a weather change. Fluctuations in weather can cause barrometric pressure to rise or fall. Mine was caused when I drove up into the mountains. I have heard stories of fecal material being blown all over the person but I wont give any names out here. A good sailing friend had told me of his wife having a very explosive experiance. Ill bet you hear a few more stories before the week is out. Oh by the way whats that aftershave you have on. It matches your sail covers nicely.

Doug&Ruth
Wind Lass
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1775 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2002 : 13:09:40

Hi David,

'Sorry to hear about your ordeal. I'm really glad you 'fessed up ... my boat also has a porta-pottie, and I've never used one before. I had NO idea that pressure could build up in the holding tank ... I hope I never have to go through what you just experienced! I could just barely stand cleaning mine and getting it ready for the boat ... I could never be a plumber.

Anyway, I thought I'd also take this opportunity to let you know that the photo you've inserted in your signature block doesn't come through for the rest of us. Instead of a photo, all we see is:

<BR><img src="http://www.stardive.org/tupelo.jpg"<img src

I tried to email you a couple of weeks ago about your photo, but I couldn't get your email to work. I even looked at your web page, but there was no way to contact you there either. Anyway, you might try "Shutterfly" for storing and displaying your photo ... it's free, and it seems to work pretty well. If you have questions, let me know.

'Hope your eyeballs are back to normal!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2002 : 16:47:14

Another suggestion: My Sani Potti instructions say to put the blue fluid in the holding tank, and only fresh water in the upper tank. That way, if you pump a little in (as instructed) before using, it won't have the chemicals in it. Now, an "explosion" may have something else in it, but it'll be "all natural." <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

It might also be a good rule to open and close the gate before pumping in some water and using the potty--to equalize the pressure.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5937 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2002 : 21:39:47

On my boat the rule is that whoever uses the porta potty gets to empty it. As a result, everyone goes before we leave the dock, and the porta potty rarely gets used.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

Edited by - on

coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 07:16:38

that is a terrible story. it sounds like you put the chemicals in with the fresh water to flush. otherwise, how would you have blue on top of the gate. is that true? i always put the chemicals into the holding tank. i will be sure to open the gate before opening the top cover from now on. i hope your eyes are ok.

COLDDUCKS
FANTASY #409 C250WK

Edited by - on

Tupelo Honey
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 13:25:33

first of all, NO ONE poops on my boat.

secondly, it was not the "material" in the holding tank that exploded--it was the excess from the flush tank which does have a little blue stuff in it, yes.

just be careful, jokesters.

Catalina 250WB
Long Island Sound
"Tupelo Honey"
<BR><img src="http://www.stardive.org/tupelo.jpg"<img src

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 13:43:23

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d638b3127cce9fef6974472c0000001010" border=0>

Here's Tupelo's Picture....

David, if you need help getting this to work, send me an email.

Duane

Edited by - on

jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 14:44:59

for all the hassles involved I wouldnt trade my marine head for a pottie! it is so much easier to pull up to the dock and pump out. as for not ever letting anyone poop on the boat, all I can say there is you must not take very long trips. I could just see me telling April she had to hold it for 3 days.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 18:57:40

I agree with Jellyfish, a marine head is a whole lot easier to deal with than a porta-potty unless you don't have access to a pumpout facilty. I had a portapotty on my previous boat and that was the worst thing about owning that boat. With the marine head, I simply go to the self-serve pumpout station, stick the hose in the deck opening, and empty the holding tank. The whole process takes just a few minutes. On my old boat, I had to remove the heavy, sloshing, disgusting porta-potty, transport it to a bathroom, empty the contents without hurling <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle> , then reinstall the porta-potty in the boat. And when I finished the process, I knew that some time in the future I was going to do it all over again <img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle> . In my book, the marine head wins hands down each and every time! <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 22:13:48

1. If you don't use the marine head very much, you'll be trying to figure out why it doesn't work... A porta-potti is simple, replacable, and come on guys--not that disgusting to dump and rinse if you use some good stuff in it. Many of us don't have pumpouts close at hand.

2. T-Honey: One more time--PUT THE BLUE STUFF IN THE BOTTOM HOLDING TANK, NOT IN THE UPPER WATER TANK.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 23:43:26

A porta-potti is simple(tell that to Dave on Tupelo Honey), replacable, and come on guys--not that disgusting to dump and rinse if you use some good stuff in it(uh...what good stuff...rose petals?).

Dave on Tupelo Honey,

Maybe now you can get an audition for the Blue Man Group!
<img src="http://www.blueman.com/image/tonight/cymbolum_up.jpg" border=0>

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

Edited by - dlucier on 08/20/2002 00:38:48

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coldducks
Captain

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USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2002 : 23:55:33

i agree. we have a porta potti...you dont put the blue chemicals in the fresh water part...lets face it, we all have to use it occasionly. if you dont, you dont go out for EXTENDED STAYS. its no big deal. you do what you have to do... but do it right...put the chemicals in the holding tank were they belong, not the fresh water supply...but that said, i am sorry for your eye damage, i hope you have recovered.

COLDDUCKS
FANTASY #409 C250WK

Edited by - on

Steve Raffel
Captain

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262 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 15:54:25

Based on this experience, I made up a little sign that reads:
Danger
1. Pull out white slide
2. Raise lid

I took it to Staples and had them laminate it with one side sticky. Now I have it stuck on the lid.

Steve Raffel
C 250 WK #408

Edited by - on

n/a
deleted

Members Avatar

62 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2002 : 16:05:03

We've had boats with both holding tanks and porta-potties. Used to be hard to find a pump-out. We just installed a larger porta-pottie on our C-25 because we needed it for extended sails. It's not that bad at all but then my husband and I have changed lots of diapers, too, with no problems! Some of those were explosions, too, come to think of it.

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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 08/21/2002 : 11:08:02

Don, we use a little shot of Aqua-chem after every flush. a friend who sails a 28 Pearson told me about it. it keep everything fresh and you can buy a gal at Wal Mart for about $1. sure beats the crap at the marine stores for triple the price.

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