This is my second season with the 1987 Hunter 23. So, next I need to add the dreaded Porta-Potty! I have one (SeaLand Sanipottie), I just have to install it. Any tips or suggestions are appreciated. I day sail and hope to make a few overnights this year. So far, we have been content with going over the rail or using a bailer in the lazerette (then over the rail!). Really though, I want to know two things: 1. When do I fill it with chemicals? Do I just leave it onboard and 'ready to go" with all the blue stuff sloshing around? Can I fill it immediately before answering nature's call? 2. When do I empty it? Do I empty it with every use? Wouldn't it get kinda yukky? Thanks in advance. Richard h23 "Invictus"
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Up to you...
I add a little bit of water and the blue stuff to the holding tank whenever you empty it and put it back in its place on the boat. If the boat is used infrequently and not much ventilation, you should empty it after every outing. Otherwise, you run the risk of using it when it is full... not a pretty site when you pull the lever out to move to the holdign tank and it is full...
I add a little bit of water and the blue stuff to the holding tank whenever you empty it and put it back in its place on the boat. If the boat is used infrequently and not much ventilation, you should empty it after every outing. Otherwise, you run the risk of using it when it is full... not a pretty site when you pull the lever out to move to the holdign tank and it is full...
Empty at the end of each weekend aboard
And after you've dumped the tank and rinsed it out, slosh a couple of oz. of Raritan C.P. and little more water around in it and pour that out. Do not put the tank back...leave it out and open, so that plenty of fresh air can circulate in it till you come back to the boat. That will prevent it from becoming "ripe" in the summer heat, which it will do if you put it back. Fill the reservoir and add chemical when you're ready to use it again.
And after you've dumped the tank and rinsed it out, slosh a couple of oz. of Raritan C.P. and little more water around in it and pour that out. Do not put the tank back...leave it out and open, so that plenty of fresh air can circulate in it till you come back to the boat. That will prevent it from becoming "ripe" in the summer heat, which it will do if you put it back. Fill the reservoir and add chemical when you're ready to use it again.
Also...
Make it the law of the boat that there will be no poopin' in the portadumper. Over the side you go, pfd clad, tethered well, and do your stuff. Regards, Jim
Make it the law of the boat that there will be no poopin' in the portadumper. Over the side you go, pfd clad, tethered well, and do your stuff. Regards, Jim
Oh yuk!
People like you are the reason "no discharge" laws exist...the people who pushed 'em through think the "candy bars" floating in anchorages are coming from boat toilets.
People like you are the reason "no discharge" laws exist...the people who pushed 'em through think the "candy bars" floating in anchorages are coming from boat toilets.
4 months for me
Seriously, I put water and the blue stuff in the SaniPottie on my H23.5 at the beginning of July. It was only used for pee, and it never smelled so I never dumped it until I hauled the boat out for the winter in mid-October. I've done that for two seasons now. That blue stuff really impressed me!
I had always planned to empty it if somebody dropped a #2; but nobody ever did. ...RickM...
Seriously, I put water and the blue stuff in the SaniPottie on my H23.5 at the beginning of July. It was only used for pee, and it never smelled so I never dumped it until I hauled the boat out for the winter in mid-October. I've done that for two seasons now. That blue stuff really impressed me!
I had always planned to empty it if somebody dropped a #2; but nobody ever did. ...RickM...Peggy is Right
We opted for a porta-potti because pumpout facilities are not always available. We empty ours into an approved toilet facility every few days and use an additive in the holding tank. No odors. There are many additives to choose from - pick what works best for you. Dumping untreated sewage overboard is illegal and also a bad idea environmentally. Down in "the islands" the charter yachts simply grind the stuff and pump it overboard. When their waters become so fouled that people no longer want to spend their tourist dollars there, maybe they will wise up. Meanwhile, here in the States, we are trying to undo many years of neglect of our environment. I'm not some hippie tree hugger, but we sailors have to preserve what we love for future generations. Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala
We opted for a porta-potti because pumpout facilities are not always available. We empty ours into an approved toilet facility every few days and use an additive in the holding tank. No odors. There are many additives to choose from - pick what works best for you. Dumping untreated sewage overboard is illegal and also a bad idea environmentally. Down in "the islands" the charter yachts simply grind the stuff and pump it overboard. When their waters become so fouled that people no longer want to spend their tourist dollars there, maybe they will wise up. Meanwhile, here in the States, we are trying to undo many years of neglect of our environment. I'm not some hippie tree hugger, but we sailors have to preserve what we love for future generations. Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala
Gross!!!!
Just another thought. Every living thing in the ocean poops, and has since the beginning of time. Its people that get grossed out by the thought or the sight of the poop. But its always been there. Even if you don't put your there, many animals have and will and no one can stop it. If you are in a crowed anchorage depositing your poop in the water would be a very rude thing to do. But, if your are in a secluded spot and will not gross anybody out then why not do what the oceans residents do.
Just another thought. Every living thing in the ocean poops, and has since the beginning of time. Its people that get grossed out by the thought or the sight of the poop. But its always been there. Even if you don't put your there, many animals have and will and no one can stop it. If you are in a crowed anchorage depositing your poop in the water would be a very rude thing to do. But, if your are in a secluded spot and will not gross anybody out then why not do what the oceans residents do.
If you dump over board I hope you get nailed
Peggy and Ralph are correct. I have seen in some areas those turds floating. In one case, someone became very sick that I know and he was in the hospital for nearly a week. If I catch anyone dumping overboard, I simply call a friend of mine with the Coast Gaurd. Them boys you do not want to mess with. Federal and state laws are very serious on this matter. Thanks to Miss Peggy and Ralph as the one comment on here about dumping overboard in Barnegett Bay is very serious which should not be done.
Peggy and Ralph are correct. I have seen in some areas those turds floating. In one case, someone became very sick that I know and he was in the hospital for nearly a week. If I catch anyone dumping overboard, I simply call a friend of mine with the Coast Gaurd. Them boys you do not want to mess with. Federal and state laws are very serious on this matter. Thanks to Miss Peggy and Ralph as the one comment on here about dumping overboard in Barnegett Bay is very serious which should not be done.
Oh Jim!
C'mon man. I swim and sail in Barnegat Bay. Please, keep the crap where it belongs, not in the water. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
C'mon man. I swim and sail in Barnegat Bay. Please, keep the crap where it belongs, not in the water. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
What Jim suggests is not illegal, just...
inconsiderate...there may not be any other boats around when he does it, but another can come in 5 minutes later. And while it is illegal to dump a portapotty--or a bucket or any other container--overboard or flush a toilet directly overboard, it's not illegal to do it in the water or even hang your rump over the side. As for the difference between our solid waste and sea life's waste...theirs is much more liquid and dissolves immediately in water... they don't leave "candy bars" that float on the surface as humans do. So if you don't want to put solid waste in your portapotty--although there's no valid reason not to, go ashore and do it in the woods.
inconsiderate...there may not be any other boats around when he does it, but another can come in 5 minutes later. And while it is illegal to dump a portapotty--or a bucket or any other container--overboard or flush a toilet directly overboard, it's not illegal to do it in the water or even hang your rump over the side. As for the difference between our solid waste and sea life's waste...theirs is much more liquid and dissolves immediately in water... they don't leave "candy bars" that float on the surface as humans do. So if you don't want to put solid waste in your portapotty--although there's no valid reason not to, go ashore and do it in the woods.
On my third season Richard...
...and have used the sani-potti the past two years with mixed results. It is more of a pain than not in my case being that most of my guests are like me, in their twenties, and like to drink. This ultimately can push the holding tanks capacity, so this year captains law states for both men and women, "for emergencies only," ...otherwise take a swim and cool off. (after reading the other posts I guess I need to include that #2 constitutes an emergency). Brian H23 kickin' back
...and have used the sani-potti the past two years with mixed results. It is more of a pain than not in my case being that most of my guests are like me, in their twenties, and like to drink. This ultimately can push the holding tanks capacity, so this year captains law states for both men and women, "for emergencies only," ...otherwise take a swim and cool off. (after reading the other posts I guess I need to include that #2 constitutes an emergency). Brian H23 kickin' back
Brian, there are bigger portapotties
Including models that can be permanently installed and fitted for pumpout. The footprints for the 5-6 gallon sizes are identical to those for the 2-3 gallon size...the only question is whether your location has room for the additional height. On boats on which the portapotty is under the berth or a settee cushion, some owners have found that the only thing that keep it from fitting is the lid...remove the lid (the cushion is covering it anyway) and it fits perfectly. However, unless you want to permanently install it, I don't recommend going with a 5-6 gallon portapotty...a full tank weighs about 50 lbs, which is a LOT to carry off a boat and haul up to a facility where you can dump it. Check out the SeaLand Sanipottie 965-MSD.
Including models that can be permanently installed and fitted for pumpout. The footprints for the 5-6 gallon sizes are identical to those for the 2-3 gallon size...the only question is whether your location has room for the additional height. On boats on which the portapotty is under the berth or a settee cushion, some owners have found that the only thing that keep it from fitting is the lid...remove the lid (the cushion is covering it anyway) and it fits perfectly. However, unless you want to permanently install it, I don't recommend going with a 5-6 gallon portapotty...a full tank weighs about 50 lbs, which is a LOT to carry off a boat and haul up to a facility where you can dump it. Check out the SeaLand Sanipottie 965-MSD.
Peggie - that blue stuff
Peggie - I mentioned in a previous post that that blue stuff seems amazing to me - no smell after 4 months of the occasional #1 deposit. The bottle cap leaks and makes a mess so I bought some white tablets that claim to work as well, but when I go to ready the sani-pottie I keep reaching for the blue stuff. Do those tablets work as well as the blue liquid? ...RickM...
Peggie - I mentioned in a previous post that that blue stuff seems amazing to me - no smell after 4 months of the occasional #1 deposit. The bottle cap leaks and makes a mess so I bought some white tablets that claim to work as well, but when I go to ready the sani-pottie I keep reaching for the blue stuff. Do those tablets work as well as the blue liquid? ...RickM...
I have no idea without knowing what they are
However, fwiw, white vinegar works as well in a portapotty as anything else. And, also fwiw, that "blue" stuff is lethal...the active ingredient is either formaldehyde or--if the label says "non-formaldehyde"--gluteraldehyde, ...which is even MORE toxic than formaldehyde.
However, fwiw, white vinegar works as well in a portapotty as anything else. And, also fwiw, that "blue" stuff is lethal...the active ingredient is either formaldehyde or--if the label says "non-formaldehyde"--gluteraldehyde, ...which is even MORE toxic than formaldehyde.
Valterra's Potty Toddy Tabs
The package says one tablet treats 50 gallons. The package and website say no Formaldehyde, but they don't say what _is_ in it. The package claims: "How can a small tab be so effective? It's a highly concentrated deodorizer without fillers or water that add to the cost without adding to the effecgtiveness." http://www.valterra.com/RV/toilet_treatments.htm ...RickM...
The package says one tablet treats 50 gallons. The package and website say no Formaldehyde, but they don't say what _is_ in it. The package claims: "How can a small tab be so effective? It's a highly concentrated deodorizer without fillers or water that add to the cost without adding to the effecgtiveness." http://www.valterra.com/RV/toilet_treatments.htm ...RickM...
Appears to be an enzyme
I'd never heard of it till I went to their website. Most enzyme products don't work all that well...the enzymes "neutralize" the waste already in the tank, but exhaust themselves too quickly to keep up with added waste, especially in hot weather. However, you have it...and at least it's not a toxic chemical. So you have nothing to lose at this point by trying it. If your tank doesn't belch nasty odors between pumpouts, yippee...if it does, switch to Odorlos or Raritan K.O.
I'd never heard of it till I went to their website. Most enzyme products don't work all that well...the enzymes "neutralize" the waste already in the tank, but exhaust themselves too quickly to keep up with added waste, especially in hot weather. However, you have it...and at least it's not a toxic chemical. So you have nothing to lose at this point by trying it. If your tank doesn't belch nasty odors between pumpouts, yippee...if it does, switch to Odorlos or Raritan K.O.
Vinegar?
Did I understand the HeadMistress to say that white vinegar is as good as the "blue stuff?" Would be a great option if so. Drew
Did I understand the HeadMistress to say that white vinegar is as good as the "blue stuff?" Would be a great option if so. Drew
Have used vinegar
I've used vinegar (based on Peggy's suggestion) for a couple of years now and it does work great. You can get a gallon of the stuff at Walmart for a buck or two and pour a liberal amount in the holding tank. It neutralizes the odors for at least a long weekend very well.
I've used vinegar (based on Peggy's suggestion) for a couple of years now and it does work great. You can get a gallon of the stuff at Walmart for a buck or two and pour a liberal amount in the holding tank. It neutralizes the odors for at least a long weekend very well.
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