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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Porta Potti or Manual Head ???

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boat25
Deckhand

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USA
20 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/21/2002 : 15:41:22

Hi all,

I have to install a toilet to my 25 Catalina.
The only problem is, that I don't know which one to get.I have been looking at Porta Potti (Thetford Aquamate - $159.99), and few manual heads like Jabsco ($119.99), and Wilcox-Crittenden ($109.99).
I learned so far that for Porta Potti I don't need to get waste holding tank, and water tank b/c they are already there.
What's the story with manual heads???. Do I have to buy also holding tanks for waste and water plus pipes etc.?

Please, help me with that one...

Thank you very much.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 16:17:25

Suggest you try this link : http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/WestAdvisorDisplayView?advisor=436.htm

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 17:14:15

I would think the best way to decide would be to ask yourself are there plenty of pump out stations where you sail. If not go with the portable. If so do you want to add a holding tank, anti syphon loop and valve and all the other goodies a holding tank needs.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 19:33:46

On the Catalina owners site there is an "ask the experts" place where you can read the writings of Peggy Hall, called the "head mistress", who probably knows more and tells it better than anybody else. BTW my vote is for the large capacity sanipotty, but we don't stay out as long as formerly, so it suits us fine. For extended voyaging/cruising, the whole enchilada of plumbing, holding tank, diverters etc , might be better. Have had it with all that plumbing, personally, even though I did it for years, fair winds, ron c25 srsk 1981 #2343 SW FL

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 20:49:21

Our sailing is almost exclusively day sailing and we went through this past summer without even having the portipotty on board. Put it on for a lake function at a bridge on the lake which needs to be replaced and sailors want it replaced with higher bridge than DOT is planning. The bridge is 20 miles from the club, so we were looking at a long day on the water <img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>. Put the portipotty on for the trip up and back.

I have found the portipotty pretty convienent, meeting our needs, ops, my needs, when we are spending a long time on the boat. Plus, finding a place to dump it is usually not a problem!

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 22:20:04

For our needs, the Porta-Potti (actually Sani-Potti) is the answer. Emptying and cleaning are not nearly as onorous as some might imagine. With the right fluid in the holding tank, things stay under control. Just open and close the slide valve before using it to let any pressure out of the holding tank (I call it "burping the can").

Our PO left us with a standard-sized Sani Potti, but I may buy the large size with the 5 gallon holding tank. That's a better size for a couple of days out with 2 people, and you sit higher on it. Also, it's set up for an optional pumpout tube in case you want to rig a deck fitting and a hose.

Best of all, when the seals get tired, you throw it away and get a new shiny one! Just like everything else in our society... <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

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

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 22:20:06

Why not have the best of both? I have the Thetford model that has a pipe that connects (optionally) to the thru deck pump-out hose, or, use it as a portable head.
Unfortunately the fastening brackets supplied with the large Thetford are not designed for boats that heel (though the manufacturer won't admit it) so I had custom ones fabricated out of aluminum.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 22:38:33

Regarding heeling, the Sani Potti (West carries it) clamps down on its side brackets with the same clamps that hold the seat to the holding tank.

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

Edited by - dave bristle on 11/21/2002 22:39:51

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2002 : 07:44:05

At the end of the season I take the portipotty out and take it to a dumping place, generally a plain, old ordinary toilet. The unit has been dropped (I don't remember what happened) and it has never leaked - not in the boat, not when dropped, not as I carried it through the house. My impression is that they are secure and don't cause problems. And as Dave said, when its seal go, you get a new one.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

Dennis Pierce
1st Mate

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USA
59 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2002 : 08:38:14

More and more marinas and clubs are posting signs prohibiting the dumping of porta potties on the premises.

Dennis Pierce
Gypsy Witch #1719

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2002 : 09:14:05

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
More and more marinas and clubs are posting signs prohibiting the dumping of porta potties on the premises.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
In these situations one must refer to covert tactics by camouflaging the sanitation device by some means. Leave all identification aboard and keep cyanide capsules positioned for quick access. Remember, if caught this forum will delete all of your previous posts and deny any and all knowledge of your existence, much less your mission.

<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>J

Edited by - OJ on 11/22/2002 09:22:03

Edited by - OJ on 11/22/2002 18:14:42

Edited by - on

Ellis Bloomfield
1st Mate

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USA
85 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2002 : 14:42:09

You could buy an old cheap wheelchair, put the porta p in it, throw a blanket over it and wheel it right into the marina can. Just talk to it if anyone walks by and someone will probably hold the door for you.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2002 : 15:00:20

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
You could buy an old cheap wheelchair, put the porta p in it, throw a blanket over it and wheel it right into the marina can. Just talk to it if anyone walks by and someone will probably hold the door for you.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

You must have the new release of the COM (Covert Ops Manual!)

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2002 : 16:22:31

I have a manual head and like the ease of pumping it out at the pump-out station (as opposed to the thought of lugging a porta-potti to a pump-out site), but then I didn't have to install it either.

If your boat isn't already equipped, you'll have to drill (holesaw?) the deck for a pump-out fitting and a holding tank vent. My system doesn't have an anti-siphon loop, but my boat doesn't have an overboard discharge valve either; just an inlet tube from the to-hull to the head, a hose from the head to the holding tank and the hoses from the holding tank to the two deck fittings. What could be easier?<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2002 : 00:21:49

Save yourself some boat units and go to Sears. There you can purchase for much less then at a marine supply the exact same porta potti. I built a 3 sided plywood box for the potti to sit in with an opening stratigicaly located in front for the pull handle. This camouflages the unit and prevents it from tipping over.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2da34b3127cce9d353928d3730000003410" border=0>

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2002 : 07:41:11

I ashamed of you guys <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> giving away plans for covert operations. Shhhh! Can't let them know what we are thinking. The marina operators lurk on these forums to figure out new ways take our pleasure away <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>.

Our club has a pump out portable holding tank that allows one to pump the waste out of the boat and into the tank, and then one can take the tank to the pump out station. A honey dipper comes to empty the clubs pump out station. The holding tanks are on wheels, and work for both types of waste systems on our boats.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2002 : 08:05:59

Porta-Potti or Manual Head?

It really depends on if you have access to a pumpout facility and/or your willingness/unwillingness to dump your own waste. I've had both and, for me, the best choice is a manual head with a large holding tank. Between me, my wife, two daughters, nieces, nephews, and friends, the head on North Star gets quite a workout. With the large fixed tank of my manual system, I'm not overly concerned about running out of holding capacity at a critical time. Additionally, at my marina we have a self-service pump-out station that makes emptying the holding tank a no hassle two minute operation.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
Lake Erie

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