After 15 years of trouble free and ODOR free service from the porta-potty in a smaller boat, I moved up to an '84 ODay 28 with a head last year. Having endured two years of stench and flushing problems (I filled the holding tank today trying to empty the bowl) I've decided to toss the head & replace it with a porta-potty. Any suggestions on how to do this? Also, any porta-potties to recommend or steer clear of would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Tossing the head
- Thread starter jerry10848
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28' is a bit big for a portapotty
It's likely to devalue your boat. So before you toss the "baby out with the bath water," let's look at the reason you've had so many problems with the toilet. Unlike household toilets, marine toilets have a finite lifespan that can range from about 5 years for the cheapest toilet to over 100 for $1,000 toilet....average is about 10 years. Boat builders don't use the most expensive ones, so if your toilet is still the original, it's a pretty good bet that it was totally worn out when you bought the boat. Most likely the hoses were also already permeated with odor too. So it's not surprising that you've have nothing but problems and and stinky boat. A 5-6 gallon portapotty, permanently installed and fitted for pumpout, plus a macerator to move its contents to your larger holding tank...you'll also have to replace the hoses too, if you want to get rid of the odor--will cost you about $400. For about $300 you can replace your toilet with a Raritan PH II--about $200 and rated the best manual toilet under $500 for a couple of decades and your hoses with AVS96, which has proven to be at leat 16x more resistant to odor permeation than any other hose. Or you can spend $50 at Sears for a 2-3 gallon portable portapotty that has to be emptied every weekend. Btw...I see you're on Lake George, one of the only lakes in the country where gray water (galley, bath and shower water) has to be held. Do you have a separate tank for it, or is it also going into your waste holding tank? If it is, that can also be a source of your problems.
It's likely to devalue your boat. So before you toss the "baby out with the bath water," let's look at the reason you've had so many problems with the toilet. Unlike household toilets, marine toilets have a finite lifespan that can range from about 5 years for the cheapest toilet to over 100 for $1,000 toilet....average is about 10 years. Boat builders don't use the most expensive ones, so if your toilet is still the original, it's a pretty good bet that it was totally worn out when you bought the boat. Most likely the hoses were also already permeated with odor too. So it's not surprising that you've have nothing but problems and and stinky boat. A 5-6 gallon portapotty, permanently installed and fitted for pumpout, plus a macerator to move its contents to your larger holding tank...you'll also have to replace the hoses too, if you want to get rid of the odor--will cost you about $400. For about $300 you can replace your toilet with a Raritan PH II--about $200 and rated the best manual toilet under $500 for a couple of decades and your hoses with AVS96, which has proven to be at leat 16x more resistant to odor permeation than any other hose. Or you can spend $50 at Sears for a 2-3 gallon portable portapotty that has to be emptied every weekend. Btw...I see you're on Lake George, one of the only lakes in the country where gray water (galley, bath and shower water) has to be held. Do you have a separate tank for it, or is it also going into your waste holding tank? If it is, that can also be a source of your problems.
Thanks Peggy
Thanks for the quick reply. OK, you've convinced me, I'll go with a new Raritan II. One more question, though: The odor seems to be emanating from below the V berth, where the holding tank is stored. Is it possible that the tank (some type of plastic/styrene) is also permeated and in need of replacement along with the head & hoses? (It's not leaking) Or is it more likely that the odor is coming from the hoses? Regarding your question about gray water on Lake George, all of my thru hull drains are plugged pursuant to LG regulations, and we don't use the faucets. We don't use the sinks/showers on board. When we overnight, it's usually on one of the state campsites on the islands. Thanks again.
Thanks for the quick reply. OK, you've convinced me, I'll go with a new Raritan II. One more question, though: The odor seems to be emanating from below the V berth, where the holding tank is stored. Is it possible that the tank (some type of plastic/styrene) is also permeated and in need of replacement along with the head & hoses? (It's not leaking) Or is it more likely that the odor is coming from the hoses? Regarding your question about gray water on Lake George, all of my thru hull drains are plugged pursuant to LG regulations, and we don't use the faucets. We don't use the sinks/showers on board. When we overnight, it's usually on one of the state campsites on the islands. Thanks again.
Tanks don't permeate...so my money is on the hoses
Once you have a head that works the way it should and new hoses, you're gonna be amazed at how much better your boat will smell...AND how much happier you'll be with marine toilet. I've been there...I know! And to make sure you continue to be happy with it, I suggest you check out the link below.
Btw...the toilet is a PH II...and you can read all about it on the mfr's website at http://www.raritaneng.com. If space is a problem, check out the PHC...it's the same pump, but on a compact base to fit in space the PH II won't.
Once you have a head that works the way it should and new hoses, you're gonna be amazed at how much better your boat will smell...AND how much happier you'll be with marine toilet. I've been there...I know! And to make sure you continue to be happy with it, I suggest you check out the link below.
Btw...the toilet is a PH II...and you can read all about it on the mfr's website at http://www.raritaneng.com. If space is a problem, check out the PHC...it's the same pump, but on a compact base to fit in space the PH II won't.Replace it often.
The head on boat sees a loooot of use. I have a Jabsco bottom of the line head and replace it every year. Quicker to replace than rebuild and only a little more expensive than a rebuild kit. The is nothing as comforting as knowing you have a brand new head!
The head on boat sees a loooot of use. I have a Jabsco bottom of the line head and replace it every year. Quicker to replace than rebuild and only a little more expensive than a rebuild kit. The is nothing as comforting as knowing you have a brand new head!
Colin, you're spending WAY too much $$ for toilets
'Cuz you keep buying the cheapeast one. A Raritan PH-II is only about twice the price of a Jabsco, but will give at least 20 years of reliable trouble-free service if it's just kept lubricated and rebuilt every 5-6 years for a cost of about $50. And, it'll "swallow" flushes that choke most other toilets. I don't know anyone who has one who doesn't love it. So do the math: you're spending at least $100/year...you could spend about $200 once and not have to spend anything more for at least 5 years.
'Cuz you keep buying the cheapeast one. A Raritan PH-II is only about twice the price of a Jabsco, but will give at least 20 years of reliable trouble-free service if it's just kept lubricated and rebuilt every 5-6 years for a cost of about $50. And, it'll "swallow" flushes that choke most other toilets. I don't know anyone who has one who doesn't love it. So do the math: you're spending at least $100/year...you could spend about $200 once and not have to spend anything more for at least 5 years.
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