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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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The Scoop on Poop

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britinusa
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USA
5404 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/05/2011 : 12:40:29

We are now on our 3rd Portable toilet.

The original was a Thetford Porta Pottie that came with the boat. Worked great but only had 2+ Gals of holding, we overfilled it several times

Next was a Dometic, slightly larger tank, but it lasted less than 2 years: Leaked, Broke, IMHO piece of carp.

We purchased a new Thetford but the 5gal variety. Mistakenly I bought the RV version (does not have the hold down clamps like the marine version) but I secured it with Velcro strapping and it works great.
Of course, you might wonder.. what is there to work? Well, it doesn't leak, well built and hold sh*t like it's supposed to.

It came with a bottle of Thetford Supreme Green Holding Tank Deodorant.

Over the past 5+ years, we have tried several brands of PP treatments, but I must say, Supreme Green does the trick!

After a long weekend sailing, dining and pooping, the PP was well used! The Supreme Green did great job. When it came to dumping the tank in the bathroom at home, I was really surprised that it did not smell up the bathroom as we have experienced before. Normally it's just plain gross! But this stuff was amazing.

So Kudos to Thetford for a great product.

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 13:56:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by britinusa
 ...Mistakenly I bought the RV version (does not have the hold down clamps like the marine version) but I secured it with Velcro strapping and it works great...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">So a porta-potti isn't going to move around in a motor home??

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 14:04:48

I had similar thoughts Dave.

Paul

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 14:42:30

I'd like to know where you were and what you were doing when the idea for this posting came to mind.

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britinusa
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Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 15:04:43

I was using my PC, not a laptop

Paul

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 15:23:38

Thetford might sell hold down clamps separately for your model. You might want to check with Thetford.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 15:40:09

I had purchased a Thetford several years ago and it came with plastic hold-down hardware. I called to inquire about metal clamps only to receive an apathetic "nope." A friend and machinist at our marina replicated them out of aluminum.

Fast forward a few years and a newer C25 . . . I called Thetford again to ask if they ever came out with metal hardware and I received the same apathetic "nope." This drove me to purchase the Dometic which does have metal clamps.

to Thetford - at least for sailboat applications.

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Davy J
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1511 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 16:10:08

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">When it came to dumping the tank in the bathroom at home, I was really surprised that it did not smell up the bathroom as we have experienced before. Normally it's just plain gross! But this stuff was amazing. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
This thread makes me thank god I have a holding tank and a pump-out deck fitting!

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 18:39:11

Davy J, but at least our tanks are easy to clean

FYI, so far the velcro tie downs are working really well.

Paul

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2011 : 22:24:19

Bigger is better. The porta potty with a 6 gallon holding base is my choice. When cruising the cleaned 2nd base is stored ready to use. The hold down is a 5/16 line from a fair lead to the base carrying handle tied with a slip knot. Side rails center the unit in head area. The unit is kept clean and a welcome to use invitation. I make sure crew and guest are welcome to use unit and shown how to use. The paper used is the quick paper as I call it which is less likely to make the dumping difficult. The successful voyage of a day or over night sail isn't going to be challenged because the skipper is allergic to poop.
I use a dry powder deodorant and add water to fill unit just before dumping contents, dilutes contents . The dump facility at home is the exterior clean out with a 2 foot stand pipe added for the operation. Most homes have a clean out and the temporary stand pipe saves my back. Cruising area where I go has places to dump and clean units.
Because the boat is stored in the off season in freezing weather the Porta Potty is empty but ready to charge the top unit with water for the new season. The head area is very easy to clean and keep clean with a porta Potty. I have made one addition to the base units with a small hose fitting and a plastic hose to discharge any pressure that can build up in the sealed unit. The hose is attached to a fitting that goes to the outside installed just below the rub rail. The pressure is eliminated and the user is not treated to a puff of bad breath of the Porta Potty. Do you need anymore details?
I have enjoyed sharing my sailing with many and make sure they are comfortable on the boat which includes the head.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2011 : 06:24:47

Jim, how did you obtain a 2nd base?

On the Thetford, they recommend that prior to another use, with the lid down, the dump handle should be opened and closed to prevent any upflush.

Personally I use the hole in one method, keeps cleaning while onboard to a minimum.

Like the idea of a stand pipe on the clean out. I would use that except it would have to be removed each time we drag the trailer out of the yard as the clean out is right in the travel lane

Freezing is not an issue down here (yet)

Curious about the use of the dry powder just prior to dumping. We cruise for days each trip and the Supreme Green eliminates all odors.

Great input.

Paul

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2011 : 08:55:30

We plumbed our porta-potti (5 gallon Thetford) for pumpout so we no longer dump the tank. Our lake has a pumpout so that works well for us. As for smell we have found a product - Odorlos - that works very well for us.

We use the powder in the packets.

Whatever you do don't make the mistake that we made a couple of years ago. We pumped out at a public facility in Ganges on Saltsprings Island in BC and discovered the fresh water hose at the dock was not working. So we used salt water to flush the potti and then left some in to mix the Odorlos with. A day or two later -

- wow did it stink.

Needless to say we've only used fresh water since!

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2011 : 10:07:02

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 ...we used salt water to flush the potti and then left some in to mix the Odorlos with. A day or two later -

- wow did it stink.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That's why my fixed head runs off my pressurized fresh water system. Every single boat I've been in that uses salt water in the head has an unmistakable "aroma"--sort of a mix of chlorine and sulfurous gases--it doesn't seem to matter what green stuff they add. I guess the owners get used to it.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/06/2011 10:07:59

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 03/07/2011 : 22:40:13

The second base came from a purchase of a complete unit which was cheaper than ordering just a base. I do the dry chemicals just after the base is dumped and cleaned. I leave the dry packages on the boat and they don't freeze. The vent tube idea came from when the unit during a very warm day swelled up and rocked on its bulge. The little people who wait until the last minute aren't receptive to instructions so the vent.
The stand pipe is just used for dumping and cleaning then removed as odder would happen if the cap wasn't replaced.

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