I would like a good bullet point "How To" sign to post in the head of my Cat 36 MKII for guests. Is there one that you can point me to? Thanking you in advance and Fairwinds, Dr. Kenyon Ducane Marina Del Rey, CA
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It depends on the type of toilet
Directions for flushing a manual toilet are different from those for flushing an electric toilet and flushing a VacuFlush or Lavac still different. I prefer to show 'em how to flush it. The easiest way is to make it just another part of your "this is where everything is and how it works" tour of the boat--something you should do for ALL first-time guests, landlubber or not (how many times have we all had to hunt for 10 minutes for the light switch in the head on a strange boat...and finally had to ask?)--when they come aboard. The toilet just becomes part of the "tour," and a LOT less embarrassing for you OR your guests than having to show someone how to flush a full bowl. And by the way...I've always made safety issues a part of that tour.. "Here are the lifejackets. God willing we won't need them, but just in case, here’s how to put one on. The light switches are located...and they work by…. The water faucets work just like the ones at home, but please don't let the water just run, because what's in the tank is all there is. Please don't try to help unless specifically asked to do something, you could get hurt if I zig when you expected me to zag…" etc. It's been my experience that landlubbers are a lot more comfortable aboard immediately when they know a little bit about the boat, how things work, and what's expected--or not--of them.
Directions for flushing a manual toilet are different from those for flushing an electric toilet and flushing a VacuFlush or Lavac still different. I prefer to show 'em how to flush it. The easiest way is to make it just another part of your "this is where everything is and how it works" tour of the boat--something you should do for ALL first-time guests, landlubber or not (how many times have we all had to hunt for 10 minutes for the light switch in the head on a strange boat...and finally had to ask?)--when they come aboard. The toilet just becomes part of the "tour," and a LOT less embarrassing for you OR your guests than having to show someone how to flush a full bowl. And by the way...I've always made safety issues a part of that tour.. "Here are the lifejackets. God willing we won't need them, but just in case, here’s how to put one on. The light switches are located...and they work by…. The water faucets work just like the ones at home, but please don't let the water just run, because what's in the tank is all there is. Please don't try to help unless specifically asked to do something, you could get hurt if I zig when you expected me to zag…" etc. It's been my experience that landlubbers are a lot more comfortable aboard immediately when they know a little bit about the boat, how things work, and what's expected--or not--of them.
Thank you Peggie! (more)
The "Cooks Tour" is always necessary to introduce new folks to the boat. I just think that in addition to a head demo, a bullet point checklist is a good way to reinforce the demo. My boat has a Jobsco manual pump head. With kind regards, Dr. Kenyon Ducane
The "Cooks Tour" is always necessary to introduce new folks to the boat. I just think that in addition to a head demo, a bullet point checklist is a good way to reinforce the demo. My boat has a Jobsco manual pump head. With kind regards, Dr. Kenyon Ducane
You need somebody else's list???
You can't list the steps you follow?? Well, since you're a Dr, it'll be illegible anyway so okay...<sigh>... 1. Before use, add a cup of water from the sink to the bowl. 2. After use, make sure lever is set to "dry" 3. Pump (x) times 4. Switch lever to "wet" 6. Pump (x) times 7. Return lever to "dry" position (x = number to pumps to move waste from bowl to tank) What to do with toilet paper is another issue...too much of even the "right" TP can more than a marine toilet can swallow. But how do you explain that to landlubber guests, especially women (who seem to be genetically programmed to use half a roll per flush)? How do you explain that Kleenex is different...and WHY nothing--not even a toothpick--can go down a marine toilet except small amounts of the toilet paper provided unless they've eaten it first? Few men can see themselves conducting a "marine toilet 101" class for Great Aunt Martha or their boss' wife, but all too often the alternative can be taking apart a clogged toilet to remove a wad of facial tissue, a paper towel, or even a tampon! There is a solution: A small pail with a lid, liners, and ziplock sandwich bags, that lives in your dock locker except when landlubber guests are expected. Then it goes into the head beside the toilet and Instructions to guests then become simple: unless you've eaten it first, it goes in the pail. NO exceptions, not even a toothpick. (You can make a sign to hang in the head if you're really uncomfortable telling them). You don't have to explain what the sandwich bags are for (tampons, and napkins)...unless your guests are real slobs, they'll figure that out for themselves and use them. Just make sure they're in plain sight. When the guests go home, the liner goes to the dumpster with the rest of the trash and the pail and sign go back into the dock locker. That worked for me for 20 years...I never had a single clog.
You can't list the steps you follow?? Well, since you're a Dr, it'll be illegible anyway so okay...<sigh>... 1. Before use, add a cup of water from the sink to the bowl. 2. After use, make sure lever is set to "dry" 3. Pump (x) times 4. Switch lever to "wet" 6. Pump (x) times 7. Return lever to "dry" position (x = number to pumps to move waste from bowl to tank) What to do with toilet paper is another issue...too much of even the "right" TP can more than a marine toilet can swallow. But how do you explain that to landlubber guests, especially women (who seem to be genetically programmed to use half a roll per flush)? How do you explain that Kleenex is different...and WHY nothing--not even a toothpick--can go down a marine toilet except small amounts of the toilet paper provided unless they've eaten it first? Few men can see themselves conducting a "marine toilet 101" class for Great Aunt Martha or their boss' wife, but all too often the alternative can be taking apart a clogged toilet to remove a wad of facial tissue, a paper towel, or even a tampon! There is a solution: A small pail with a lid, liners, and ziplock sandwich bags, that lives in your dock locker except when landlubber guests are expected. Then it goes into the head beside the toilet and Instructions to guests then become simple: unless you've eaten it first, it goes in the pail. NO exceptions, not even a toothpick. (You can make a sign to hang in the head if you're really uncomfortable telling them). You don't have to explain what the sandwich bags are for (tampons, and napkins)...unless your guests are real slobs, they'll figure that out for themselves and use them. Just make sure they're in plain sight. When the guests go home, the liner goes to the dumpster with the rest of the trash and the pail and sign go back into the dock locker. That worked for me for 20 years...I never had a single clog.
Thank you Peggie... (More)
Peggie: This is exactly what I was looking for. I can inerpolate this into a bullet point list to hang on my head door. Regarding the Doctor and handwriting thing, I am afraid you are spot on. I flunked penpersonship in school. I had only 2 choices for career: Dr. or fry cook. Fry cook required the acquisition of practical skills so I went with Dr.
KD
Peggie: This is exactly what I was looking for. I can inerpolate this into a bullet point list to hang on my head door. Regarding the Doctor and handwriting thing, I am afraid you are spot on. I flunked penpersonship in school. I had only 2 choices for career: Dr. or fry cook. Fry cook required the acquisition of practical skills so I went with Dr.
KD- Status