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Toilet / Head Decision?

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MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/29/2008 : 23:49:37

Hi Everyone,

We opted to NOT go with the marine head (and holding tank and potential disgusting headaches) for our new C-250 (mk II!), so we're on a quest for the perfect - or at least best in class - portable toilet for the boat.

We don't live near a large city so that we could easily compare many different models in stores, so we've actually ordered FOUR toilets (!), and we're examining them closely right now. After we pick a winner, we're going to return the runners-up.

Here's what we have ordered:

<ul>
<li>Dometic 975 MSD</li>
<li>Sealand SaniPotti 965 MSD</li>
<li>Thetford Porta Potti 365</li>
<li>Visa Potty 248</li>
</ul>

They all have, roughly, a 5-gallon holding capacity. Some seem to be better quality, while others have better features. There is some difference in seat comfort, as well. (We're averaged sized people.) Prices range from about US$100 to US$150.

So, any opinions? Suggestions? Bad or good experiences with any of these brands and/or models?

As always, thanks for your input,
Martin

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

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 00:06:01

We have a porta-potti, I don't know what the brand of it is but its been a very good choice for us. I paid $49 for it.
Our rule is, no solids. No TP, just liquids.
We have a tender, so if anyone needs to have a bowel movement, they have to row ashore.
I'm sure someday there will be an emergency and it will have to be used for #2. If and when that happens, the Pooper will have to empty it.

Because there is just liquid in our porta-potti, emptying it is no big deal. I generally empty it in an outhouse in a campground - I can empty it in one lung full of air. Take a deep breath outside, rush in, empty potti, rush out, expel air, breath deeply.

Edited by - on

sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 01:23:04

C Angel has a Thetford porta-potty. It has been very easy to use and empty. It has gotten a lot of use with no restrictions on input (nothing to clog!). My only complaint is that is only holds three gallons. However that is plenty when I have to row it ashore to empty it at Two Harbors, Catalina. No, wait, I have another complaint... very few places (like my marina) will actually let you empty one in their restrooms. That process has also been easy and mess free, when available.
My camper trailer has a Thetford that has a cartridge type holding tank that pulls out from outside the trailer. Very easy to use also. I believe Thetford makes a quality product.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 01:26:25

I have a thetford. It came with the boat and probably original 2003. There is a sign on the door that the PO put on and I thought at first it was strange but now I appreciate it. It says, Ladies.
When I am day sailing, guys hang it over the side and pee downwind. When doing overnighters we try to go onshore but sometimes that don't work. After a 4 or 5 day trip, it is full and I empty back at the marina bathroom.
Bottom line, no pun intended, they are probably all about the same. So you gonna try them all out first and return the ones that are all wet?

Steve A

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 01:33:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sterngucker
 I have to row it ashore to empty it at Two Harbors, Catalina. No, wait, I have another complaint... very few places (like my marina) will actually let you empty one in their restrooms. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

About a month ago I was at Catalina, Avalon to be exact, and noticed signs charging $20 to empty your porta potty. Last year I was at the Isthmus but didnt notice any signs. Might have been cuz I didnt need to empty it.
Steve A

Edited by - on

sterngucker
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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 03:21:30

Actually, at the Isthmus they have a special dump station behind the restrooms just for porta-potties. Sometimes I dump it at sea when I'm out three miles or better, or.. um whatever the legal distance is. Yeah, that's the ticket.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 07:47:42

While I agree that the porta potty is the way to go for some, it was truly a pain to dump. Overboard, or at the marina, or with the pumpout boat... Overboard always made me gag and inevitably some spilled on the boat. And ummm, that 3 mile line means nothing when your 5 gallon tanks is at 4.75 and the Admiral has to go. At the marina we would get "busted" carrying it to the restrooms and be scolded because it made a mess and others did not clean up after themselves. With a pumpout boat, you couldn't just leave the boat and have him do his stuff while you were gone. Secondly, they often do not have an adapter or will have problems dealing with "your setup." Thirdly, the transfer of fluids operation will require you to remove it and place the container in the cockpit. And finally, the pumpout boy will look at you like you are from mars.

We had the Thetford with the battery operated flush pump. 6.5 holding if memory serves. Worked great, just was always out of water at the important time and we spent a fortune in additives such that it smelled ok. In New England with a 3 month season, it was ok... If my season then were year round, or at least longer, I'd do the marine head in a heartbeat.

Sten

DPO C25 #3220 "Zephyr", SR, FK
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - Annapolis MD

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 08:53:45

I put a 5-gallon Sanipottie in the C-25, replacing a way-too-small 2.5 gallon version. It could be plumbed in, but I chose to keep it portable. On my new boat, I have a Dometic 711--a china bowl sitting on an integral tank. It uses fresh water from my boat's tank (pressure-fed) and is plumbed to a deck fitting with a Y valve to a mascerator. The 975 can be plumbed in for pumpout, but has its own somewhat limited water supply, so I don't consider it to be as good for plumbing in as the 711. But not flushing with salt water makes a huge difference in odors from the bowl as well as the tank.

To the several remarks about #2, TP, and dumping... I found that if we used an enzyme-based tank treatment, the odors in the boat and when dumping were minimal, and #2 was essentially liquified--as was the TP, as long as you bought only the TP for marine/RV heads. Finding a place where dumping is allowed is another issue... but I often used a toilet at home and rinsed with a hose in the back yard--not objectionable at all. Now, outside of the 3-mile limit, I flip a switch and it's gone.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 10:10:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 
[edited]...
I found that if we used an enzyme-based tank treatment, the odors in the boat and when dumping were minimal, and #2 was essentially liquified...
...[edited]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dave,

Do you know what brand tank treatment you were using? Is this probably available at West Marine?

Thanks,
Martin

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 11:17:55

I have an old porti potti from Sears. The flush doesn't work, I keep a bottle of water nearby. When it gets 1/4 full I dump it at sea, rinse with sea water. When I return to the dock I hose it out and clean with clorox. I don't ususally keep water/head treatment in it.

No restrictions on solids or TP, that is what it is for.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 11:24:44

We put in a Thedford and plumbed it for pumpout. We have been very happy with it. 5 gallon MSD is equal to 15 gallon marine head due to less water use. We use Odorlos for treatment. Here is the post on our installation:

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

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 12:29:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by MartinJW
 Dave, Do you know what brand tank treatment you were using? Is this probably available at West Marine?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I think I've mostly used WM's Headzyme, but Dometic's own stuff is probably as good, better, or the same thing. I really think fresh water is a key, and a reason why most boats with "proper marine heads" smell worse than most with portables. (I can always tell--always.) Salt water introduces and nourishes all kinds organic processes that generate sulfurous gases.

Another warning about portables without deck vents: Open the flush valve momentarily before putting anything into the bowl, to let the pressure out (that builds from decomposition). Otherwise, when you flush, the pressure is coming out--with some of the "stuff" in the bowl.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/30/2008 12:30:02

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 12:39:13

Over the years I have been fortunate enough to have been advised of several different means for men (or gutsy women

) to relieve themselves of liquid waste without filling up the port-a-potti or holding tank.

The first is to buy yourself a 1-1/2” diameter length of PVC and cut about 36” off it. Take a piece of sanpaper and ease the edges. While kneeling on the cockpit seat you can use the tube to relieve yourself without hanging over the side.

Benefits:
1. You have a lot better chance of not falling in the brink.
2. You won’t relieve yourself all over the boat or engine.
3. You won’t be waving the flag at every passing boat.
4. You won’t be contributing to the level in the holding tank.

Second option is to take an empty bleach bottle, cut a 3” hole in the side opposite the handle and near the top, and use that as a means of collecting liquid waste. Empty over the side when done. An added benefit of this method is you can use it anywhere on the boat.

The first option is easier to store. The second is the easier of the two to use. I have both on my boat but would not recommend using either if you sail in an inland reservoir.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 12:52:06

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Why? Because no other people or animals are peeing in the reservoir?

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 13:00:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Why? Because no other people or animals are peeing in the reservoir? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nope, Because it's basically bad taste

. (Couldn't help myself) In California, it's against the law as well. Dependent on the size and impact to the body of water it may be acceptable. Just speaking locally.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 13:02:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sloop Smitten
 The first is to buy yourself a 1-1/2” diameter length of PVC and cut about 36” off it. Take a piece of sanpaper and ease the edges. While kneeling on the cockpit seat you can use the tube to relieve yourself without hanging over the side.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'm reminded of the first time I flew on a C-130 aircraft. In the rear of the aircraft next to the cargo doors was a flexible tube with a funnel. I was surprised when the crew chief explained what it was for.

I've never looked up at a C-130 flying overhead since.

Edited by - on

skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 15:10:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
I've never looked up at a C-130 flying overhead since.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Lets see, 20,000 feet in the air, moving at minimum of 150 mph and dumping somewhere around a pint of fluid.....I don't think you need to worry about looking up from the ground. "It"

would either evaporate in the air or be totally diluted in the rain.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 15:31:09

We have a Thetford as well that came with the boat. I will make an effort to row to shore for #2, plus I have to row the hound there anyway. However, I won't hesitate to use the porti-potty for it's intended use if necessary. We use some sort of orange stuff I found at Target (I think), that liquefies everything that goes into the tank. While not a pleasant job, emptying it isn't a big deal. I'll put it in the back of the truck & bring it home to empty as our marina doesn't have bathrooms. I rinse & disinfect with chlorine solution to get it ready for the next use. The orange stuff (I'll get the name later when I go out to the boat) works pretty well, smells OK, and there's no smell in the boat.

As far as liquid waste, we use a [url="http://www.comforthouse.com/portableurinal.html"]Little John portable urinal, with a Lady J adapter[/url] for Rita to use. You can read her take on it [url="http://ritaho.blogspot.com/2007/05/little-john-lady-j.html"]here[/url]. And don't believe a word of what she says about emptying the porti-potty, ain't never happened yet.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 15:54:31

I live in a household with three daughters, a wife and myself. I showed my wife the Lady John with the Lady J adapter once. She rated that right up there with my idea to leave the toilet seat up, rather then down, when not in use.

Edited by - Sloop Smitten on 05/30/2008 15:55:31

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 19:38:32

I got you all beat with an easy mod. I never have to dump mine. I cut a hole in one of my catbird seats. Kind of awkward using it at the marina when going for #2. I made sure to wax the stern with teflon based wax for esthetic reasons. I keep telling the Admiral that it's all natural but for some reason she won't use it. I'm very disapointed.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 05/30/2008 19:44:23

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 22:27:26

Steve, got any pics of that. But please keep it clean!

Steve A

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 23:30:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I got you all beat with an easy mod. I never have to dump mine. I cut a hole in one of my catbird seats. Kind of awkward using it at the marina when going for #2. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Canadians.......

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2008 : 11:17:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Canadians.......

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">What the heck--the moose do it...

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2008 : 12:47:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Blackburn
 I got you all beat with an easy mod. I never have to dump mine. I cut a hole in one of my catbird seats. Kind of awkward using it at the marina when going for #2. I made sure to wax the stern with teflon based wax for esthetic reasons. I keep telling the Admiral that it's all natural but for some reason she won't use it. I'm very disapointed.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My wife wanted to know why I suddenly burst out laughing. I read your post to her, and she enjoyed a good laugh, too.

Too funny!

Thanks,
Martin

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2008 : 13:49:08

I hope most of you guys stay the H#@* off my lake.
Steve, I'm glad your boat is going to Sylvan Lake.

Maybe 100 years ago when there weren't many people around you could drop your britches when the need arose, but now folks, if you poop, poop responsibly. I don't care if you are 3 miles or 300 miles offshore.

If you pee, pee responsibly.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2008 : 13:50:11

I've often wondered why the catbird seat came into being. Now I know, LOL. Thanks!

Edited by - on

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