How to use the head?!

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Feb 26, 2004
23,353
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
I guess I didn't mean to use the word 'plummed'.

But we have the T to the sink in the head type set up and I suppose I was thinking of other situations where there would be a vacuum break between the supply side and the sewage?
Not correct stu? Or are you hung up on the word 'plummed'
Thanks for getting back to us.

Yes, you're OK.

Spelling does count, especially when you're using a search engine, but we get your drift. :)
 
Oct 25, 2011
576
Island Packet IP31 Lake St. Louis, Montreal
BTW, pics from our first sail out to st Simons light house. I had to dock in relatively high wind from the stern :-(
Looking mighty fine. I'm in the process of redoing my teak. Love the way yours looks.

Matt
 
Jan 22, 2008
597
Oday 35 and Mariner 2+2 Alexandria, VA
I would caution using a bottle to catch the urine etc. and drag it behind to empty. It is against the regulations. Any waste placed in a receptacle is prohibited to be dumped over board within 3 miles of the shore. You can get slapped with a huge fine if caught. Yes...I know when I went fishing with my Poppa years ago, we pee'd over the rail and used the "sea hag bucket" for anything else, but current regs say no. There are no discharge rules about hanging our tukus over the side, but decency may apply. I would also advise strongly against hooking any toilet to the fresh water system unless specifically designed for it. Bacteria travels both way in a water system that is not kept under constant pressure. At home you have city water pressure maintaining head pressure. On board, you have a pump or check valves. Most heads are plumbed raw water until recently when they started using a lot of fresh water connections. Just remember on most boats you may only have 50 gallons of fresh water. It would be a shame to waste it on waste. Follow Peggy's book and odors can be virtually eliminated. Plus you will have a happy, healthy crew. If you want to see my system, let me know. I am plumbed from a PHC to a hold 'n treat system, never need a pumpout (unless in Harrington Harbor.)
 
Apr 10, 2008
47
Catalina 30 Detroit
Bacteria doesn't travel in a water system that is under pressure? You may want to check that one with the local health department. But I can save you some time and tell you your wrong right now.
What you are looking for is a vacuum break to prevent bacteria laden water to back into fresh water systems in the event of a change or loss of pressure.
Thanks for the personal opinion though.
It goes a long way towards helping folks out.
PS the fish and your neighbors pets can still piss in the lake/ocean right?
T
 
Mar 30, 2013
700
Allied Seawind MK II 32' Oologah Lake, Oklahoma
You guys make me nostalgic for the head on submarines. Simple system but mistakes could be catastrophic
 
Jan 22, 2008
597
Oday 35 and Mariner 2+2 Alexandria, VA
I was speaking simplistically :), but you are correct jwb that it is the anti siphon capability that stops the contamination of fresh water systems, hence the tank or an industrial vacuum breaker. In the end, some marine toilets are set up for fresh water, others are not.

I know plenty of dogs, fish, birds and even kids who routinely pee in the sea, never said the law made sense, not to mention the 300K gallons of raw sewage that DC water dumps in the river after a major rainstorm. It is disheartening to see the brown stain and brown trout hung up in the reeds. I guess that's why they want to make the Potomac an NDZ, because my 15 gallon tank is such a threat. :smirking
 
Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
I've always been a big fan of just hanging it over the stern rail, and hanging onto the lifelines. They'll get a little fussy about this in the marina's, but after a few times of this, they pretty much tend to leave you alone..
 

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
We also carry the Urinator - a clorox bottle with a hole in one side suitable for both genders, and a long cord tied to the handle. After use we give it a good keel-hauling and hang it to dry.

What the heck??? why??? :confused:
As I have been reading this entire thread I can feel Peggy and her frustration and exasperation..... sigh........
I thought it was obvious; I take half as many trips to the fuel dock for a pump out.
 
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