I've been looking forward to making this switch for a few seasons. The best part of this install is the un-install. Now you see it;
Now you don't (20 minutes later):
There is head history (not all memorable,...), in the original 61 yr old raised platform.
I added 2, and all the parts of pieces have been replaced at least once, numerous rebuilds of the pumps, etc. The seacock and thru hull will be the last to go. Original 1961, they don't owe anything to anybody.
With my head 'in it', I had a chance to assess the change. All I'm doing is replacing one waste management system with another. The old one, fairly complex, collects human waste - solid and liquid - and pumps it, along with 2-3 xs the added seawater (in my case), through hoses, valves, and into a holding tank.
The contents stew in the tank until we travel (#1) to a pump-out to go into a shoreside holding or sewer system, or we travel (#2) offshore (3mi + depending) to discharge the holding tank into the ocean.
As I've decided after several decades I'm not comfortable disposing of our waste via #2.
And option #1 is rarely available to us unless we spend most of our time on our mooring or in a few populated harbors.
The new waste management system also stores human waste for future disposal. But there is a difference: First, it separates liquid from solid waste.
The liquid is stored in a receptacle that is removable for shoreside disposal. We walk dogs daily so we'll be fertilizing more trees along most of the remote anchorages we visit.
The solid waste will be stored in a drying medium until such time as the 'tank' needs emptying. Legally, in a bin if away from home, on our leaf compost pile when at home. This will be at our leisure and not determine the need to 'move' to a (#1) facility or to (#2), a legal area, an option I've opted out of.
This new system all fits into this:
I've researched and talked to friends using various composting heads. Our need is: Not living aboard, long weekends and perhaps a month stint each season. The OGO caught my eye and while I wrote it off at first, I came back to the idea, did my homework, and bought one.
Aside from running a 1 1/4" vent stack and driving 4 screws, this install is done!
One request: My long departed mother always told me to resist bathroom humor. She requests you follow her lead.
Now you don't (20 minutes later):
There is head history (not all memorable,...), in the original 61 yr old raised platform.
I added 2, and all the parts of pieces have been replaced at least once, numerous rebuilds of the pumps, etc. The seacock and thru hull will be the last to go. Original 1961, they don't owe anything to anybody.
With my head 'in it', I had a chance to assess the change. All I'm doing is replacing one waste management system with another. The old one, fairly complex, collects human waste - solid and liquid - and pumps it, along with 2-3 xs the added seawater (in my case), through hoses, valves, and into a holding tank.
The contents stew in the tank until we travel (#1) to a pump-out to go into a shoreside holding or sewer system, or we travel (#2) offshore (3mi + depending) to discharge the holding tank into the ocean.
As I've decided after several decades I'm not comfortable disposing of our waste via #2.
And option #1 is rarely available to us unless we spend most of our time on our mooring or in a few populated harbors.
The new waste management system also stores human waste for future disposal. But there is a difference: First, it separates liquid from solid waste.
The liquid is stored in a receptacle that is removable for shoreside disposal. We walk dogs daily so we'll be fertilizing more trees along most of the remote anchorages we visit.
The solid waste will be stored in a drying medium until such time as the 'tank' needs emptying. Legally, in a bin if away from home, on our leaf compost pile when at home. This will be at our leisure and not determine the need to 'move' to a (#1) facility or to (#2), a legal area, an option I've opted out of.
This new system all fits into this:
I've researched and talked to friends using various composting heads. Our need is: Not living aboard, long weekends and perhaps a month stint each season. The OGO caught my eye and while I wrote it off at first, I came back to the idea, did my homework, and bought one.
Aside from running a 1 1/4" vent stack and driving 4 screws, this install is done!
One request: My long departed mother always told me to resist bathroom humor. She requests you follow her lead.