DockEdge Visa or Thetford 550 MSD Porta Potties on 26' Live Aboard?

[saltyfriends]

Hi all!

I'm new to boat life and trying to figure out what MSD porta potties to install on my live aboard Grampian 26. I'll be at a marina with washrooms available, so I am putting it in mostly for marina/provincial rules, but I imagine it will be nice to not have to go out in the rain for the washroom on some wetter days (in Victoria, BC), and for when out sailing.

Would you recommend 1) the DockEdge Visa MSD, either 8 or 18 liter or 2) the Thetford 550 MSD? I am thinking that a smaller (8L) holding tank might leave me more space for other storage, but not sure how much of a difference it would make. I read on another forum that the Thetford was tricky to get from moving around, not sure if that is an issue with the DockEdge.

I'll have to install a deck fitting to put it in, so any resources you have for that process are also much appreciated

Thanks!!!!!

 

[jssailem]

Welcome to the Forum. Good to have another PNW sailor in our crew.

I used a basic porta potty on a 15ft boat for 12 years. It was better than hanging the tush out over the water or in the forest (fewer mosquito bites) but is was an issue of odor when held inside the boat for more than a couple of days.

I tried a composting toilet for 30 days. It was an efficient way of dealing with the issue. Here is a link to the one.
OGO™ ORIGIN Compost Toilet System
You still need to dispose of the liquids separately than the solids. The unit stirs the solids to help them composting. There was little to no odor. You need to dispose of the compost separately.

These composting toilets need to have a little space to set properly in your boat, storage for the composting medium and an electrical connection for the stirring mechanism and warning lights.

The composting toilet would be my choice in your situation. On the other hand if you’re going to be only adding the equipment to keep the marina/provincial rule watchers happy, a vented Thetford would likely be my second choice.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Hi all!

I'm new to boat life and trying to figure out what MSD porta potties to install on my live aboard Grampian 26. I'll be at a marina with washrooms available, so I am putting it in mostly for marina/provincial rules, but I imagine it will be nice to not have to go out in the rain for the washroom on some wetter days (in Victoria, BC), and for when out sailing.

Would you recommend 1) the DockEdge Visa MSD, either 8 or 18 liter or 2) the Thetford 550 MSD? I am thinking that a smaller (8L) holding tank might leave me more space for other storage, but not sure how much of a difference it would make. I read on another forum that the Thetford was tricky to get from moving around, not sure if that is an issue with the DockEdge.

I'll have to install a deck fitting to put it in, so any resources you have for that process are also much appreciated Thanks!!!!!

Im not familiar with the DockEdge brand...but Go with an 18 liter regardless of the brand. The only size difference is the height...any 8 liter would be like squatting on a bucket...18 liter is domestic toilet height.

--Peggie

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I had the Thetford. It had issues flushing the bowl (uneven water distribution) and the bellow leaked very quickly. There are others that are happy with it but I wouldn't recommend it based on my two seasons of ownership

 

[Alan Gomes]

I had the Thetford. It had issues flushing the bowl (uneven water distribution) and the bellow leaked very quickly. There are others that are happy with it but I wouldn't recommend it based on my two seasons of ownership

Did you have the 550P? As far as I know, it does not use a bellows pump.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Did you have the 550P? As far as I know, it does not use a bellows pump.

My mistake -- I had the 965. I think the 550 has bracket issues?

 

[Alan Gomes]

My mistake -- I had the 965. I think the 550 has bracket issues?

Yeah, completely different pump.

It does have "bracket issues." I've reported them; maybe you read that. Perhaps others have as well.

That said, I had a custom stainless bracket made that is really nice. And I could have easily done a less fancy one myself that would have worked just fine. The flimsy plastic ones they provide are terrible.

 

[saltyfriends]

Update: what looked like a great deal on the Thetford 550P actually had a huge (almost $200) shipping cost, so I am trying out the DockEdge Visa model (from Amazon). Hopefully it holds up okay... Next challenge will be installing a deck fitting.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Update: what looked like a great deal on the Thetford 550P actually had a huge (almost $200) shipping cost, so I am trying out the DockEdge Visa model (from Amazon). Hopefully it holds up okay... Next challenge will be installing a deck fitting.

$200 for shipping??? This one on Amazon is $200 for the porta potty and includes free shipping.

 

[saltyfriends]

$200 for shipping??? This one on Amazon is $200 for the porta potty and includes free shipping.

When I go to checkout with this one it still adds $130 for shipping... maybe a location based thing? I'm in BC, Canada.

 

[saltyfriends]

When I go to checkout with this one it still adds $130 for shipping... maybe a location based thing? I'm in BC, Canada.

There's one for $319 CAD that does have free shipping, but the DockEdge model is only $169. Let me know if there is a reason to spend the extra cash though, its my first time trying one of these...

 

[Alan Gomes]

When I go to checkout with this one it still adds $130 for shipping... maybe a location based thing? I'm in BC, Canada.

Must be.

 

[Alan Gomes]

There's one for $319 CAD that does have free shipping, but the DockEdge model is only $169. Let me know if there is a reason to spend the extra cash though, its my first time trying one of these...

I'm not familiar with the DockEdge model. If Peggy Hall is monitoring this thread then she would be the best person to fill you in--assuming she is familiar with it.

 

[jssailem]

its my first time trying one of these.

You’ll either love it or hate it.
it will be nothing like you throne at home.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I'm not familiar with the Dock Edge potty, but except for quality and maybe a few features, they're all pretty much alike.
Whichever one you get, be sure it's the maximum capacity. Height is the only thing that determines size. The larger
capacity is standard household toilet height, the small one is like squatting on a bucket.

Shipping from US to anywhere in Canada--even to an address so close to the border that you only have to cross a bridge --results in international shipping charges, "customs brokerage fees" and a 2-3 week delay in getting it. --which is the main reason Canadian retailers have to charge so much more for any American goods they sell. So unless you're too far from the border for it to make any sense, get a US shipping address. There are independent "UPS store" type businesses in all US towns and cities near the border that'll rent you one for a very reasonable price. I know people who go in together to rent a US address and take turns picking up their purchases from US retailers. You'd still have to declare what you're taking home when you cross the border, but most things aren't expensive enough to trigger any duty due and US domestic shipping charges are so much less than all the international charges that it's worth doing unless you'd have to travel too far to collect your purchases to make it worth the effort.

--Peggie

 

[saltyfriends]

Shipping from US to anywhere in Canada--even to an address so close to the border that you only have to cross a bridge --results in international shipping charges, "customs brokerage fees" and a 2-3 week delay in getting it. --which is the main reason Canadian retailers have to charge so much more for any American goods they sell. So unless you're too far from the border for it to make any sense, get a US shipping address. There are independent "UPS store" type businesses in all US towns and cities near the border that'll rent you one for a very reasonable price. I know people who go in together to rent a US address and take turns picking up their purchases from US retailers. You'd still have to declare what you're taking home when you cross the border, but most things aren't expensive enough to trigger any duty due and US domestic shipping charges are so much less than all the international charges that it's worth doing unless you'd have to travel too far to collect your purchases to make it worth the effort.

--Peggie

Ahh okay. Probably too far of a trek to make it worth it in this case, but good to know.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Installing a deck fitting is fairly easy. Buy the fitting, some high quality hose, a decent hole saw and some BedIT butyl tape (4200 or Loctite Marine Sealant also works). Drill a hole in the deck, seal according to MarineHowTo.com, install two hose clamps on each end of the hose

 

[saltyfriends]

Installing a deck fitting is fairly easy. Buy the fitting, some high quality hose, a decent hole saw and some BedIT butyl tape (4200 or Loctite Marine Sealant also works). Drill a hole in the deck, seal according to MarineHowTo.com, install two hose clamps on each end of the hose

Thanks for the Butyl tape suggestion, looking into this now. It looks like a much easier way to do it instead of using epoxy and sealant?

Any suggestions for the brand of hose?

 

[saltyfriends]

Thanks for the Butyl tape suggestion, looking into this now. It looks like a much easier way to do it instead of using epoxy and sealant?

Any suggestions for the brand of hose?

Though this guy has me convinced to use sealant instead:

 

[saltyfriends]

I'm thinking this process here? Very open to suggestions though.

https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2013/april/install-boat-deck-fittings