I am considering buying a Hunter 260 and would like to know the pro's and con's of getting a full marine head option versus the porta pottie.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
C
Corky
my experience
I had a porta pottie on my MacGregor and have a marine head on my Hunter 260. The porta pottie is low tech so few maintaince worries. The tank on the head is not too large so need to pump fairly often. I prefer to pump out to carrying the storage tank of the pottie out of the boat, up the hill, put it in my car and drive to a pump out. Docking my boat at the pump out is more fun. They have installed a new electric pump out so it just takes seconds. Look at your facilities as a means of making the decision. corky
I had a porta pottie on my MacGregor and have a marine head on my Hunter 260. The porta pottie is low tech so few maintaince worries. The tank on the head is not too large so need to pump fairly often. I prefer to pump out to carrying the storage tank of the pottie out of the boat, up the hill, put it in my car and drive to a pump out. Docking my boat at the pump out is more fun. They have installed a new electric pump out so it just takes seconds. Look at your facilities as a means of making the decision. corky
M
Mike Pajewski
Go for the marine head
Just finished a six day cruise with the Porta-pottie. Most marinas will require you to have you get the porta pottie pumped out and the small tank only lasts two days. I wish my older 26 had the marine head. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Just finished a six day cruise with the Porta-pottie. Most marinas will require you to have you get the porta pottie pumped out and the small tank only lasts two days. I wish my older 26 had the marine head. Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
B
Bob
The case for the portapotty
The portapotty almost never breaks and when it does new ones are easy to find. If you have never worked on a marine head, you might want to maintain that status. There is a pumpable portapotty if you want it. One key for no hassle dumping of the tank is to carry it to the marina bathroom in a custom made canvas bag. It is likely that no one will stop you, and no one should mind as long as you don't make a mess.
The portapotty almost never breaks and when it does new ones are easy to find. If you have never worked on a marine head, you might want to maintain that status. There is a pumpable portapotty if you want it. One key for no hassle dumping of the tank is to carry it to the marina bathroom in a custom made canvas bag. It is likely that no one will stop you, and no one should mind as long as you don't make a mess.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Mike, a 5-6 gallon portapotty tank
holds as many flushes as a 12-15 gallon holding tank connected to a manual marine toilet because the toilet uses so much more flush water. Unless people are spending an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom, that's enough for 2 people for 4 days, or 4 people for two days. And it's simple matter to replace a small 2-3 gallon portapotty with a permanently installed 5-6 gallon model fitted for pumpout, 'cuz they both have the same footprint...the larger model is just taller--which is also an advantage, 'cuz it puts the "bowl" at household height.
holds as many flushes as a 12-15 gallon holding tank connected to a manual marine toilet because the toilet uses so much more flush water. Unless people are spending an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom, that's enough for 2 people for 4 days, or 4 people for two days. And it's simple matter to replace a small 2-3 gallon portapotty with a permanently installed 5-6 gallon model fitted for pumpout, 'cuz they both have the same footprint...the larger model is just taller--which is also an advantage, 'cuz it puts the "bowl" at household height.
A
Alan
I vote Porta-pottie.
As Peggie said there are types that can be pumped or dumped. Even the type ment to be dumped can be pumped, just put the hose where all the other stuff goes (pull the pump hose through the port). The largest tank that I have seen is a 6.1 gal sold at Boat U.S. As also mentioned if ya clean up after yourself, no one will say a word if you dump it. alan
As Peggie said there are types that can be pumped or dumped. Even the type ment to be dumped can be pumped, just put the hose where all the other stuff goes (pull the pump hose through the port). The largest tank that I have seen is a 6.1 gal sold at Boat U.S. As also mentioned if ya clean up after yourself, no one will say a word if you dump it. alan
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
There's one MAJOR disadvantage to...
a 5-6 gallon portable portapotty: waste weighs 8.33 lbs/gallon. That means lifting and carrying 40-50 lbs off the boat to wherever you can dump it. And the odds of pouring 40-50 lbs of waste down a toilet without spilling any are pretty remote. IMO, 2-3 gal portapotties should be portable...it's too little to be bothered with a pumpout. But all 5-6 gallon models should be permanently installed and fitted for pumpout.
a 5-6 gallon portable portapotty: waste weighs 8.33 lbs/gallon. That means lifting and carrying 40-50 lbs off the boat to wherever you can dump it. And the odds of pouring 40-50 lbs of waste down a toilet without spilling any are pretty remote. IMO, 2-3 gal portapotties should be portable...it's too little to be bothered with a pumpout. But all 5-6 gallon models should be permanently installed and fitted for pumpout.
A
Alan
Kind of agree with you about that..............
I was considering getting a second 2.5 gal. tank as a spare. Useful for long trips or when some inconsiderate jerk messes up the marina toilet and does not unclog it. This stuff is kind of gross isn't it (but neccesary)? alan
I was considering getting a second 2.5 gal. tank as a spare. Useful for long trips or when some inconsiderate jerk messes up the marina toilet and does not unclog it. This stuff is kind of gross isn't it (but neccesary)? alan
Not many redeeming qualities to a p/p.
John: There are not many redeeming qualities to a porta pottie. You MUST dump it after each outting (nothing wrong with that). They are always stinky (either bad odor or chemical odor). Not all marinas will let you dump them. Low capacity, especially with ladies on board. The ONLY advantage I can see if the lack of complexity. If the mounts for the P.P ever let loose, you may say Let the S--T fly. Yuck, Yuck, Yuck. A Holding tank, water dilution and the proper chemical is a lot better. PS: I been there and I'm not going back.
John: There are not many redeeming qualities to a porta pottie. You MUST dump it after each outting (nothing wrong with that). They are always stinky (either bad odor or chemical odor). Not all marinas will let you dump them. Low capacity, especially with ladies on board. The ONLY advantage I can see if the lack of complexity. If the mounts for the P.P ever let loose, you may say Let the S--T fly. Yuck, Yuck, Yuck. A Holding tank, water dilution and the proper chemical is a lot better. PS: I been there and I'm not going back.
P
Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Steve, the only difference between
a permanently installed portapotty fitted for pumpout and a holding tank is the location of the tank. The portapotty's tank is under the bowl...it doesn't take up valuable storage space anywhere else. It's vented the same as any other holding tank, the odor control issues are no different, and the 5-6 gallon models hold about as many flushes as a 12-15 gallon tank connected to a manual marine toilet. Dilution may be 90% of the solution when it comes to waste treatment (purification), but it makes no difference when it comes to odor control. Portable models do need to be dumped frequently, but only because they're sealed--anaerobic. And they don't hold enough to be worth installing for pumpout. So while your points are valid when it comes to portable portapotties, permanently installed portapotties are really no different from any other holding tank.
a permanently installed portapotty fitted for pumpout and a holding tank is the location of the tank. The portapotty's tank is under the bowl...it doesn't take up valuable storage space anywhere else. It's vented the same as any other holding tank, the odor control issues are no different, and the 5-6 gallon models hold about as many flushes as a 12-15 gallon tank connected to a manual marine toilet. Dilution may be 90% of the solution when it comes to waste treatment (purification), but it makes no difference when it comes to odor control. Portable models do need to be dumped frequently, but only because they're sealed--anaerobic. And they don't hold enough to be worth installing for pumpout. So while your points are valid when it comes to portable portapotties, permanently installed portapotties are really no different from any other holding tank.
J
Janel Chrestenson
Go Porta Potti!
I have a 77 H-25. There was room to install a fixed head and tank, but eh, didn't do it. I did get a large volume tank porta potti and it's great! Easy to pop apart and remove the holding tank and take to the restroom to dump in the marinas when it's not too full. When it's really full I take it to the pump out, open the v-birth hatch and pump it right out. It came with a screw on pump out fitting and was between $75-$100 out the door. As long as I keep a minimal "float" of water after its been used for anything other than mellow yellow, I don't have an odor problem. Can't say the same for fixed heads. The people I know with boats 30' and smaller with fixed heads somehow always have a huge odor problem and I don't. When sailing I just slide it forward into the "pit" and it doesn't go anywhere! My vote's for the porta potti!
I have a 77 H-25. There was room to install a fixed head and tank, but eh, didn't do it. I did get a large volume tank porta potti and it's great! Easy to pop apart and remove the holding tank and take to the restroom to dump in the marinas when it's not too full. When it's really full I take it to the pump out, open the v-birth hatch and pump it right out. It came with a screw on pump out fitting and was between $75-$100 out the door. As long as I keep a minimal "float" of water after its been used for anything other than mellow yellow, I don't have an odor problem. Can't say the same for fixed heads. The people I know with boats 30' and smaller with fixed heads somehow always have a huge odor problem and I don't. When sailing I just slide it forward into the "pit" and it doesn't go anywhere! My vote's for the porta potti!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.