We use the single ply from Aldi's. We call it John Wayne toilet paper. It doesn't take crap from anybody.
Marine Toilet Question
- Thread starter Lee Hadjiosif
- Start date
@Ralph Johnstone
There is an expression that is Like a turd in a punch bowl.
@Peggie Hall HeadMistress
I sold a Hunter 44 which after a month, I got a call the septic system was clogged. Taking equipment and cleaning supplies, I found a sanitary napkin. I reminded the owner that was not a warranty claim as I had given him a list of what not to put in the toilet. He paid the bill.
on another Hunter 44, the owner failed to call the marina to come and pump out the head after traveling 5 hours one way to find the owner was to lazy to call. On the third time, the marina pump out boat was standing by while I had to take the pump out lid off. I was wearing long gloves which went thru a diverter throwing yummy yuck yuck all over the deck which I left there in the hot sun for a lovely aroma so the owner would remember. The same owner also said he never ran aground but when the boat was hauled out , I saw steel rebar and coral in the hull, third of the keel pulled out and a third of the rudder missing. The owner hired a surveyor who bad mouthed Hunter at which time I asked that surveyor if he got his degree from a box of Cracker Jacks. The owner hired an attorney who knew me. I sent the attorney an investigative report with evidence denying any future warranty. Attorney called advising alll claims were being withdrawn. Hunter was impressed with that report. I told them I was a former investigator.
There is an expression that is Like a turd in a punch bowl.
@Peggie Hall HeadMistress
I sold a Hunter 44 which after a month, I got a call the septic system was clogged. Taking equipment and cleaning supplies, I found a sanitary napkin. I reminded the owner that was not a warranty claim as I had given him a list of what not to put in the toilet. He paid the bill.
on another Hunter 44, the owner failed to call the marina to come and pump out the head after traveling 5 hours one way to find the owner was to lazy to call. On the third time, the marina pump out boat was standing by while I had to take the pump out lid off. I was wearing long gloves which went thru a diverter throwing yummy yuck yuck all over the deck which I left there in the hot sun for a lovely aroma so the owner would remember. The same owner also said he never ran aground but when the boat was hauled out , I saw steel rebar and coral in the hull, third of the keel pulled out and a third of the rudder missing. The owner hired a surveyor who bad mouthed Hunter at which time I asked that surveyor if he got his degree from a box of Cracker Jacks. The owner hired an attorney who knew me. I sent the attorney an investigative report with evidence denying any future warranty. Attorney called advising alll claims were being withdrawn. Hunter was impressed with that report. I told them I was a former investigator.
Nice placard on my boat heads.
"If it does not go through your mouth, do not put it in the toilet"
Jim...
"If it does not go through your mouth, do not put it in the toilet"
Jim...
Add Kleenex to the list. It looks a lot like TP, but if it will survive a laundry cycle and the drier, it won't break down. Don't keep Kleenex in the head.
One of my favorite marine toilet stories is from a custtomer (in the days before I sold my company) who had a VacuFlush toilet. He also had two young grandsons who were "world class" bubble gum chewers whom he decided were now old enough to spend a weekend on the boat with him. Along with instructions for their safety, he instructed them not to put ANYthing in the toilet but their own waste and the TP provided.
Two days after the went home, the toilet clogged and in the pump he found several pieces of bubble gum. He was furious...lit into them with fury while they tearfullly swore they were innocent and could not be budged of their claim. He grudgingly allowed them to spend another weekend on the boat with him...and the same thing happened. This time he was ready to disinherit them while they continue to protest their innocence. "So what DID you do with your gum?" "We didn't know what else to do with it so we swallowed it."
--Peggie
Two days after the went home, the toilet clogged and in the pump he found several pieces of bubble gum. He was furious...lit into them with fury while they tearfullly swore they were innocent and could not be budged of their claim. He grudgingly allowed them to spend another weekend on the boat with him...and the same thing happened. This time he was ready to disinherit them while they continue to protest their innocence. "So what DID you do with your gum?" "We didn't know what else to do with it so we swallowed it."
--Peggie
Likely because whale watching cruises are popular with tourists, most of whom have never been on a boat with plumbing before with the possible exception of a cruise ship. By banning even TP in the head, he greatly improves his odds of never having to deal with wet wipes, paper towels or any of the other things that landlubbers flush down toilets on land (and cruise ships) without even thinking about it.
--Peggie
Just found out that my electric Jabsco toilet doesn't have a built-in macerator. Any issues with TP getting stuck in the electric pump impeller?
I took out a charter from Dream Yacht this winter, and they have a strict NO TP policy. We honored their policy, even though we thought it is not needed for reasonable use of TP. Key word is “reasonable “.
At the start of the pandemic, when there was a run on TP I installed a bidet in my home to cut down on TP usage. It is more efficient, and cleaner, and you only need a small amount of TP (or even a wash cloth) to dry yourself. I’m planning to install one on the boat this year.
If a bird crapped on your arm, would you wipe it with a dry tissue and leave it at that, or would you rather wash it with water then dry it?
At the start of the pandemic, when there was a run on TP I installed a bidet in my home to cut down on TP usage. It is more efficient, and cleaner, and you only need a small amount of TP (or even a wash cloth) to dry yourself. I’m planning to install one on the boat this year.
If a bird crapped on your arm, would you wipe it with a dry tissue and leave it at that, or would you rather wash it with water then dry it?
Just to elaborate a bit: There are bidets you can buy for under $100 that don’t require anything more than an added 3/8“ fresh water branch line. Some are hand held, and some mount beneath the seat on the top of the bowl. No extra floor space or electrical pumps needed, provided your boat is already equipped with pressure water.
I have 2 of those heads, and no problem so far. I don’t foresee a problem, so long as people are able to use a moderate amount. It uses a rubber impeller and would be able to chew through reasonably well so long as adequate water is also present. All bets are off if someone puts in a big dry wad, along with solids.
In the past I showed a clean spare impeller to guests when I explained why they need to be mindful. (My wife didn’t like when I did that - said I was too graphic. I said it’s not nearly as graphic as being the person changing a clogged one).
If I were giving the demonstration, I would have showed them the last impeller removed, completely fouled with
and TP in a sealed plastic bag. That would have REALLY sent the wife on a tear
.
The Lite Flush Electric. Approx 5 years but lightly used. Just finished replacing the Pump Assembly. Like solving a jig-saw puzzle. Lucky I had another head same model I could walk over and take a look at the plumbing. The electric pump turns a very small belt attached to the impeller so the belt needs replacing about once a year. The cost of the part alone (The whole pump assembly) was more than a new manual Jabsco head!!
I like the Lite Flush because the motor and controller are all enclosed in the bowl. No exposed motors. The down side is that the impeller is driven by a belt instead of direct drive. Also if you put something hard down by accident, the belt will just snap. With the direct drive, the impeller, (hard plastic), the motor, the fuse and maybe more will break.
Lee
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Good Sign... as long as the crew/guests actually pay attention. (!)
The 'attention' part is important. I did not really listen completely to the "marine head techniques" short talk on my first delivery (29 foot sailboat) a little over 40 years ago. Just once..... I violated the Other "rule" and put too much paper thru on one flush. Or, I tried to. It clogged.
Skipper was helpful and offered to stand on the foredeck and lower down a bucket to me, on a rope. I cleaned up the clog bit by bit by hand and he emptied the pail over the side. It was caused by me, and I was responsible to fix the problem, end of discussion.
After that I have never had another clog, on many different boats..... by remembering to always flush out after every x sheets of TP.
Oh, and while no one asked, here is another tip:
For decades I have also instructed all crew about a head use "procedure'" learned very long ago: everyone - no matter what gender - sits! No standing and making a mess. This solves about 98% of cleanliness problems in the head compartment.
Now let's all get back up on deck and do some sailing!!
No way I'm sitting to pee! I don't want to have to pull down my pants to lake a quick leak. (I have good aim.)
That said, I wish I could install a direct overboard discharge urinal on the boat. No reason to fill a holding tank with pee and flushes for pee.
Fwiw a clog created by an overload of TP will usually "melt" on it's own in an hour or less, even if it's wrong kind of TP. That won't hold true for paper towels, may or may not for facial tissue, definitely not for wet wipes. But always try being patient for an hour before resorting to "surgery" and NEVER try a plunger.
--Peggie
--Peggie
You have one. It's called the sink next to the toilet.