rookie mistake or maybe just plain stupid?

[newuser76]

New to sailing here, new to porta potties as well. If we use the Porta Potty, we usually take it out the same day and clean it thoroughly. Unfortunately, this time, we forgot to take it out of the boat at around 1:30pm today. Drove home (2 hours away) and just now remembered it's still IN THERE! It will be dusk by the time we get back to the boat now...so we will have no transportation to the boat from the marina. To top it off, my fiance (who used it) just told me that he did not put any chemical in it.

So my question is:

If we go out there and get it tomorrow evening, what should I expect? Lots of foul odor? And if so, how do I get rid of it?

THANKS!
NU76

 

[inarathree]

I have left mine for a couple weeks, and been ok.

 

[newuser76]

have you left it like that without the blue chemicals in it?

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Does your fiancee's S__t stink? Usually you want to put in a chemical which will control odor. Depends on the type of head you have. Some older recycling heads recycled the waste water to flush down the new waste. With those, you need to have odor control for sure. If you have a head that uses fresh water with each flush, then the waste contained in the holding tank part of the head probably won't stink up the boat right away.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Happens to the best of us...

It's not gonna explode or erupt...and the tank is sealed, so whatever odor there is will only be in the tank. So when you get back to the boat again, you may have to hold your nose when you take out the tank and empty it the same way you usually do, but that's the worst you can expect. Then hose it out thoroughly...add a little water and whatever nasty toxic blue stuff you're using and it'll be fine.

Btw...you might enjoy this about the Starwind sailboats:

http://www.starwinds.com/stw220.html

Bill...she already said it's a portapotty...and since she also said they always take it out, empty it and clean it out after each outing, it's unlikely that it's a recirculator.

 

[Nelsonhow]

Don't beat yourself up. Half the fun of sailing is the mistakes we get to brag and laugh about.

Had a PortaPotty on my Old Hunter 27 and used to empty it only once or twice a season. Never leaked or smelled. I did use that blue stuff but donut think a week or so without it would do any damage to it or the boat. Just empty and wash is out next week. I mostly day sailed and always suggested a trip to the shoreside Lou

 

[Nelsonhow]

Don't know why this sent before I finished....
Before each trip. Reduced the need to empty. The P.P.

 

[OldCat]

If you are sailing on an inland lake, and depending on your local laws, etc.:

I use a very small simple porta potti called a "Toilet, Marine, Disposable, One Time Use, #1 Only" . AKA: A used Gatorade bottle. Works best for guys and skilled female Captains . Admirals excluded . When back to shore, walk to regular toilet, dump and throw away. No worse than a used disposable diaper.

Our local laws only say "no discharge" and I figure it is about equal to a standard porta potti in that manner. I am not sure CG regs apply inland - but too bad someone doesn't get a CG sticker approved for the KISS solution:dance:. Ya always gotta pay up to SOMEONE with a financial interest:cussing:, might as well use it twice, once in, once out .

Don't drink yellow...

OC