Combined shower and toilet compartment for small boat

[Iain_H]

First of all, some definitions: is the "heads" the toilet or compartment?

Anyhoos, beginning to think of next year's project and one of them could be putting in a shower of sorts into the toilet compartment. I came across this particularly useful article:

http://www.co26.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10161/ASimpleSmallBoatShower.doc

So its a coleman water cooler and a small bilge pump. Only thing is it can only be accommodated if I can sit down on the toilet. For that to happen, the toilet needs to be secured to something waterproof. I'm thinking MDF, but is there other materials that I can use? Do I need to be careful with MDF?

And any further advice on heads and showers would be, as ever, greatly appreciated.

 

[sarabande]

MDF is not waterproof, and care should be taken to avoid inhaling dust from it. You need WBP ply at the very least, properly sealed (? epoxy and varnish).

Nowt wrong with a sit down shower; many disabled people use them. Heads needs to be extra well secured and braced though.

Good idea.

 

[gasdave]

Nice article and quite a simple but ingeniuous shower system!

Warning though - water and MDF should not be mixed. Aside from Sarabande's warning about working with MDF and the consequent risk of dust inhalation, if it gets wet with any sort of regularity as it would in this use, it will absorb the water and swell. After very little time it will be a mess.

You'd be better using WBP or even marine ply if funds will run to that. A well sealed/varnished finish will be essential.

 

[Hardley]

Heads are the toilet.
With regard to showering on board, my method is : erect tent over cockpit, we do this every night, gives us an extra room or place to hang wet gear.
Purchased many years ago, a small pump complete with flat pipe and adjustable nozzle,(cost a tenner if I recall correctly) connect to 12 volt system, hang from boom.
Heat water on gas stove, add cold water to suit, pore into a plastic bowl, remainder into plastic bucket.place in cockpit. Put pump in bucket, wash all over from bowl, switch pump on and rince off.
Can get a great shower from one bucket full of water.and it all stows away in a small space.