Marine head or porta-potti?

[NautiDuck]

I am the proud new owner of a Catalina 250. The PO had installed a regular small porta-potti. We plan to mostly day sail with a few week-ish long trips each year. Our regular lake has a handy pump out but I can't be sure about the places we will tow to such as the San Juans. I believe that I have read the Peggie you lean towards a porta-potti with the pump-out option over a full marine head and tank installation for this type of use. Is that the case and, if so, what is your recommended porta-potti with the pump-out option? Thanks. Randy

 

[Clay]

Both options stink

I read of a sailboat designer that doesn't beleive a head belongs in the design of a sailboat, recommends an old oak bucket.

 

[Homero]

Porta Potty or Marine Terlet

I had a Porta Potty and it was ok,but not great in my view. The reason I changed is, Capacity, the biggest Porta Potty's only hold 5 gallons or so max. This is not much. As my Porta Potty had a deck pumpout. For me it was not so much of a problem as we have free pumpout staions in Marina Del Rey. But when you go weekend in Catalina you'll need to pay to pump out. So you cannot range too far. (I could dump mine at sea.) Another issue is a sailboats heeling can cause Porta Potti's to leak. That is not that much fun. I changed to a Raritan PHII proper marine terlet, now life is good, my friends are relieved and my grades have improved.Regards, Homero

 

[NautiDuck]

Uh, Clay

One of the reasons the Admiral OK'd this purchase was that the C250 has an enclosed head. An oak bucket will not do. An oak bucket will end up where the sun never shines and I sure don't want to be dealing with those splinters!!

 

[Steve_Catalina]

Go With The Porta Pottie

Randy K,Go with the Porta Pottie for your size boat, there are available with 5+ gallon holding and available deck pump-out.They use MUCH LESS water per use then a conventional marine head. As an example a 5 gallon porta pottie will handle as many if not more flushes then a regular marine head with a 15 gallon holding tank.If any boat with a porta pottie leaks when the boat heels then the owner is the only one to blame, with proper maintenance this should never be an issue.

 

[Franklin]

I piss in the bay

threw a funnel that goes down the sink drain and then rinse it off and hang it.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Steve's reply is spot on target...

A self-contained system is by far the best solution for a boat this system. Steve is correct that a 5-6 gallon "pumpable" model uses so little flush water that it holds at least as many flushes as a 15 gal. tank connected to a marine toilet. He's also correct that it should not leak when heeled. The plumbing is simple, just a pumpout line and vent line...no moving parts to maintain, no y-valves or pumps...and you don't lose 1/3 of your already minimal storage space to a tank. And the whole system costs less than $200.Both Thetford and Sealand make several excellent portapotty versions that can be permanently installed and fitted for pumpout.

 

[Rick Webb]

I Piss in the Bay as Well

Just unzip flop it out and let it go. Except in the winter when the water is too cold.

 

[gpd955]

I like the idea

of the funnel in the sink....however the Admiral would probably kill me if she found out I was doing that!!!Jack ManningS/V Victim of FateAtlantic City, NJ

 

[NautiDuck]

Thanks, I think

Steve and Peggie thank you and I will take your advice. Peggie, any issue with the Thetford Aquamate 885 MSD with the electric pump? I think guests would like that electric feature.Jack, exactly what do you mean by "and then rinse it off and hang it." ;-)

 

[Sunshine]

Hey Rick do you go in the water to pee?

I go over the rail.

 

[Sunshine]

jack, you wash your dishes too?

Now you don't have to rinse it and hang it, there is Viagra.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Ok boys...enuff awreddy.

This ain't the junior high school locker room.