Compost toilets

[prv]

You might find this book useful in a general sense, but it also contains quite a lot of discussion on composting toilets at sea:

Breaking Seas: An overweight, middle-aged computer nerd buys his first boat, quits his job, and sails off to adventure eBook: Damato, Glenn: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Pete

 

[coopec]

Why don't you just put him on ignore if coopec's views are so different to yours

We have lots of pit latrines in SA so I understand what he is talking about.

Personally I would not have on on my boat but is coopec's choice not your and mine.

Another with Dunning Kruger Syndrome ?
I wonder whether some of these people have a life outside the YBW Forums?

Dunning–Kruger effect - Wikipedia

 

[coopec]

+1 for ours

If you’re going to spend £1000 on a plastic bucket, that’s the one I’d go for ?
QUOTE

They'd be half that these days . (But I could easily build my own)

But what would a flushing toilet cost plus through hulls, macerator, black water tank, a pump to empty and plumbing for pump out and deck fitting cost?

A "plastic bucket" would be far cheaper than the conventional set-up. The Airhead has been suggested a couple of times but I prefer the ones without a "jug"- just a hose through the side of the hull.

 

[coopec]

Try searching for "composting" in titles only. There's about four threads of various vintages. And, as you've found, some people who don't like the idea and aren't shy of saying so!

It's a subject that comes up in other forums occasionally (I know it does in the Junk Rig Association) so maybe worth looking elsewhere on the Web.

Thanks for that.

With compost toilets the thread would need to be fairly up-to-date. But I have seen a thread on another forum.

There's a fair bit of "aggro" on the forum: if you don't agree with them they take it as a personal insult? (Maybe the lockdowns are taking a toll on some people?)

 

[coopec]

Just tell us what you want to hear Clive and we'll all reply with that

When I posted the thread I wondered how you would respond and you didn't let me down!

Seriously though, all you aggro won't do your health one little bit of good. Maybe you should put me on IGNORE?

 

[coopec]

Deleted

 

[William_H]

Hello Clive A friend of mine has an off grid cabin down south and has had a composting toilet for some years. Included a solar powered vent fan. Bush fires came and he has replaced it all with a flushing system despite large use of water and need for septic tank. He is so pleased the composting toilet has gone.
Now I know you want to set this boat up for long term but I think you will find at least initially that a bucket with a sealing lid under a seat will suit you and your guests quite well. You can empty the bucket over the side or save it till you get to a land toilet. Could even have several buckets available.
Our club has a pump out facility as I am sure Whitfords or where ever you moor will have. So if you want go for full holding tank system. Leave the composting toilets to the tree huggers. ol'will

 

[coopec]

Hello Clive A friend of mine has an off grid cabin down south and has had a composting toilet for some years. Included a solar powered vent fan. Bush fires came and he has replaced it all with a flushing system despite large use of water and need for septic tank. He is so pleased the composting toilet has gone.
Now I know you want to set this boat up for long term but I think you will find at least initially that a bucket with a sealing lid under a seat will suit you and your guests quite well. You can empty the bucket over the side or save it till you get to a land toilet. Could even have several buckets available.
Our club has a pump out facility as I am sure Whitfords or where ever you moor will have. So if you want go for full holding tank system. Leave the composting toilets to the tree huggers. ol'will

William
I have a traditional head installed complete with macerator/holding tank/pump out system. The toilet i want is for the aft cabin.

"Could even have several buckets available." Geeez! ??

 

[coopec]

You might find this book useful in a general sense, but it also contains quite a lot of discussion on composting toilets at sea:

Breaking Seas: An overweight, middle-aged computer nerd buys his first boat, quits his job, and sails off to adventure eBook: Damato, Glenn: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Pete

Thanks for that. I've stupidly bought some Amazon Coin and I'm trying to find something to spend it on.
Maybe I can spend it on a Kindle Book?

I have just been reading the comments on Breaking Seas Glenn Damato and apparently he is against compost toilets. (Being in the aft cabin I have no room for a holding tank)

But I did come across this link which will give me plenty of reading. anyway.

"sailnet composting head - Google Search

 

[Gary Fox]

I don't carry bodily wastes on board personally, but I have used compost heaps ashore. It takes months, in the right conditions of temperature, ventilation, presence of bacteria etc, for the 'solid matter' to be transformed into a substance which is a) Harmless and b) Inoffensive.
I suggest that the name, 'Composting Toilet' is a lie. The fecal matter is hidden in sawdust, then thrown away. It does not get 'composted' at all.

 

[thinwater]

Search US forums, like cruisersforum.com. Their are some real fans there that will talk your ear off.

Note that what they better described as desiccating toilets; the time is not long enough to do any effective composting. But I'm not getting in the fight.

 

[coopec]

I don't carry bodily wastes on board personally, but I have used compost heaps ashore. It takes months, in the right conditions of temperature, ventilation, presence of bacteria etc, for the 'solid matter' to be transformed into a substance which is a) Harmless and b) Inoffensive.
I suggest that the name, 'Composting Toilet' is a lie. The fecal matter is hidden in sawdust, then thrown away. It does not get 'composted' at all.

Absolutely. (others have made the same comment) I think the process is more desiccation.

desiccation - the process of extracting moisture. drying up, evaporation, dehydration. extraction - the process of obtaining something from a mixture or compound by chemical or physical or mechanical means.

When you say "I don't carry bodily wastes on board personally" what do you do at anchor or in a marina?

 

[coopec]

I have considered a dry toilet (I'll refrain from using the word 'composting' as it wouldn't be sitting around a long enough time) for use in addition to having a sea toilet on board. It would be useful in areas where pumping overboard wouldn't be allowed or just plain anti-social. But given that it's just basically a bucket within an enclosure plus a toilet seat, and a urine diverter into a bottle, I think I would just knock one up myself. If you want to go pre-made, there is also the UK made 'Simploo' to investigate.

Yes it wouldn't be hard to make up a fiberglass one. It would be quite simple as I'd direct the urine direct over the side ( no bottles)
I've looked at the Simploo but it doesn't seem to have an agitator and I've decided since I started this thread that an agitator type is the way to go.

Thanks

 

[coopec]

Are these solutions acceptable in places like Greece? We have a standard marine toilet plus an emergency portaloo in the after cabin. Could the portaloo be 'legally 'replaced with a composting type?

The only reason why they would be banned is that they don't have a suitable place for you to dump the "compost".

Annapolis bans composting toilets for cruisers on hook?

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The only reason why they would be banned is that they don't have a suitable place for you to dump the "compost".

Annapolis bans composting toilets for cruisers on hook?

I think that would be your biggest problem. I'd expect a cool reaction in most North European harbours and marinas, but dread to think what the response would be in some of the Mediterranean ones.

The only problem I've had in ten years with holding tanks and macerators has been a vent blocking, a five minute job. I'd suggest not choosing yet - launch it and see how managing your forward system works out for you.

 

[Stemar]

I can understand not wanting - or being allowed - to dispose of toilet waste into the sea inshore, but ISTM that offshore, it'll be diluted to the point where it's harmless, and may even do some good. I can just imagine the pleasure of storing a month's waste plus sawdust crossing an ocean. I know composting toilets have a following on canal boats, but even there, personally, I'd rather have a portapotty.

 

[DownWest]

I can understand not wanting - or being allowed - to dispose of toilet waste into the sea inshore, but ISTM that offshore, it'll be diluted to the point where it's harmless, and may even do some good. I can just imagine the pleasure of storing a month's waste plus sawdust crossing an ocean. I know composting toilets have a following on canal boats, but even there, personally, I'd rather have a portapotty.

Reports in the link I attached further up see a lot of enthusiasm for composting loos and since the urine is disposed of seperately the solids do dry out and can go for three weeks plus with a couple before needing to be emptied, while a portapotty, much more often. I lived with one for a year off grid and would rather the dry toilet. Actually thinking that way for the current build, as the toilet has to slide out, so favours a PP or dry.

 

[Gary Fox]

I can understand not wanting - or being allowed - to dispose of toilet waste into the sea inshore, but ISTM that offshore, it'll be diluted to the point where it's harmless, and may even do some good. I can just imagine the pleasure of storing a month's waste plus sawdust crossing an ocean. I know composting toilets have a following on canal boats, but even there, personally, I'd rather have a portapotty.

I think the risks to our ocean's heath from yachts' heads are miniscule, and it's more about consideration for others. Anywhere shallow and non-tidal, or near swimming and watersport areas, popular anchorages etc, would be a health hazard and just nasty.

Judging by the exellent mackerel fishing to be had near sewage outfalls, not to mention the concentration of crab and lobster pots, there are lots of hungry mouths to feed down there who happily devour our waste!

Apologies, but the notion of keeping 3 or 4 crews' 'Richard the 3rds' in a £1000 box of sawdust seems rather surreal!

 

[coopec]

I think that would be your biggest problem. I'd expect a cool reaction in most North European harbours and marinas, but dread to think what the response would be in some of the Mediterranean ones.

The only problem I've had in ten years with holding tanks and macerators has been a vent blocking, a five minute job. I'd suggest not choosing yet - launch it and see how managing your forward system works out for you.

Thanks for that comment.

The problem is I don't have room for a holding tank in the aft cabin. I suppose I could install a traditional toilet for offshore use and lock it once within the 3(?) mile limit.

In any case I will do as you suggest: wait 'til after I launch and then make a decision (I'll have enough on my hands as it is.)

 

[coopec]

I think the risks to our ocean's heath from yachts' heads are miniscule, and it's more about consideration for others. Anywhere shallow and non-tidal, or near swimming and watersport areas, popular anchorages etc, would be a health hazard and just nasty.

Judging by the exellent mackerel fishing to be had near sewage outfalls, not to mention the concentration of crab and lobster pots, there are lots of hungry mouths to feed down there who happily devour our waste!

Apologies, but the notion of keeping 3 or 4 crews' 'Richard the 3rds' in a £1000 box of sawdust seems rather surreal!

I have to agree with you about yachts heads affecting the ocean health. What about all the marine life?

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