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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Dometic / Sealand / Sanipottie 970 Series Toilet?

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MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/25/2008 : 00:28:07

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to find the best self-contained toilet for our new C-250.

I really like the new Dometic (Sealand? Sanipottie?) 972 and 975 models, which have a slightly-pressurized flushing system. Has anyone tried one of these? Opinions?

West Marine has these new models for about $90 to $150:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001& keyword=8673204& jspStoreDir=wm51& productId=300051& resultCt=1& catalogId=10001& ddkey=SiteSearch

Are there other models or manufacturers that anyone would recommend or NOT recommend?

What about capacity? We like to spend 3-4 days at a time on the boat, but we do use shore-based restrooms whenever possible. Our old Porta-pottie had a 2.5 gallon capacity, but we'd need to empty it about every 3-4 days. I'm considering a 5.0-gallon holding tank. Any ideas, suggestions, opinions about this consideration?

As always, THANKS!

-Martin (& Kali)

C25/250 Int'l Ass'n Member
2008 C-250 WK #973
"Bluebell"
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV

Edited by - on

britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 07:29:36

Martin, we cruise on our C250WB 3-4 days each trip, we are very well aquainted with the portta pottie's full syndrome.

I wish they would make a model that had a tiny flush tank and a larger holding tank.

Basically we don't flush the loo! We spritz it with a hand held spray and wipe it out each use as needed. Sounds gross, but nothing compared to an overflowing porta-pottie. Oh, the Admiral is a nurse, so not offended by all of this. We also do not dump anything into the porta-pottie that has not been eaten or drunk

If needed, I'll put the lower part of the loo in a bag and empty it in the local convienience. We use the Green Toilet Bio stuff from Wallysmart, about 2 tablespoons, after emptying.

We have used a pump-out to empty the tank without any problems, after using the pumpout in situ just once, we now carry the tank to the pumpout! It's very rare we need to use a pump out.

Our method (originally gained from this forum) typically means that the tank is never full even without mid trip emptying, but a larger holding tank version would be my choice.

The built in flushing system is not that great anyway, so it's no miss. With not using the flush, then that's a lot of wasted storage space for the unit.

So bottom line,

go for the model with the largest holding tank and the smallest flush tank. IMHO anyway.

Apparently there have been studies done that indicate that the smell of alcohol diminishes the nausius affect of odfiourus conditions, so we wipe the bowl out with Purel hand sanitizer.

(Sorry about that last remark, I fear it will lead to some hijacking of this thread

)

Paul

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 08:18:46

I got the 5-gallon version of Sealand's Sanipotti for Passage--made a huge difference from the 1.5 gallon unit for weekends, and could be plumbed in. On my new boat, I got a Sealand 711 that's like a proper marine head with integral holding tank and a foot petal--lift to put water in the bowl, depress to flush (running off the boat's water tank). It's plumbed for a pump-out, and I have an electric water pump in my system. Not cheap, but the simplest marine head I've ever used or seen, and odor free. For a portable, the 975 looks like a nice compromise between the two.

The Sanipotti was ideal when I was in an area with no pumpout facilities nearby--I would dump and clean at home. The new unit is better where I am now--a condo with many pumpouts (including a boat) along the river, but no good place to clean the tank without alarming the neighbors...

So I'm not a proponent of either a portable or a built-in... it depends on the circumstances.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 04/25/2008 08:24:50

MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 08:57:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 Martin, we cruise on our C250WB 3-4 days each trip, we are very well aquainted with the portta pottie's full syndrome.

I wish they would make a model that had a tiny flush tank and a larger holding tank.

...

So bottom line,

go for the model with the largest holding tank and the smallest flush tank. IMHO anyway.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks, Paul.

I think that Dometic 975 or 976 has about a 10-L (~2 1/2 gallon) flush tank and a 19-L (~5 gallon) holding tank - essentially what you've described.

I think that we might buy a second holding tank for that "just in case" situation. Not fun, but better than a full, non-usable toilet.

Thanks again,
Martin

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MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 09:00:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 I got the 5-gallon version of Sealand's Sanipotti for Passage--made a huge difference from the 1.5 gallon unit for weekends, and could be plumbed in. [...] For a portable, the 975 looks like a nice compromise between the two.
[...]
So I'm not a proponent of either a portable or a built-in... it depends on the circumstances.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks, Dave.

It sounds like I'm on the right track with the (5-gallon capacity) Dometic / Sealand 975.

Martin

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 10:15:00

Defender has them
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|806|903103& id=902421

<s>Did you read anywhere that it's 5 gallons 'holding' capacity?</s>
[url="http://www.sealandtechnology.com/pdf/600345649%20Dometic%20970%20series%20toilet%20manual-USA.pdf"]Manual pdf

Edited by - britinusa on 04/25/2008 10:19:01

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 10:44:51

The seat looks very small, are you?
The Thetford Aquamate Electric 885 has been terrific for us.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=9152&BASE

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 04/25/2008 10:45:35

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 11:02:58

Don't forget to consider the height of the device. I think Randy has some photos of how he had to modify the wet locker door so that it would accomodate the taller holding tank.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2008 : 11:23:38

We like the pumpout feature of our MSD. Getting the bigger tank is a very good idea. 5 gallons holds a lot of - well, you know. But, I would not want to haul 5 gallons of waste to the bathroom to dump as it is pretty heavy. Hence our like of the pumpout. Our lake has a free pumpout so that really helps.

Here is the thread describing our install.

[url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14873&SearchTerms=MSD"]MSD Install[/url]

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