Fresh water flushing

[[70521]]

- WC is seawater flush only

99.99% of small boats have saltwater heads and they work well.

All I do is flush the heads through with about 20 lts of fresh water before leaving the boat on the mooring.

 

[wonkywinch]

It's buried away in this thread and in the link I posted but the important thing to be aware of is the stench is caused by the stagnant sea water held in the supply pipe. No amount of bleach, fresh water bowl rinses etc stops the rotting bacteria in the pipe except something like Sea Smart which doesn't squirt directly into the bowl as people think but injects the antibac into the supply hose killing that bacteria.

Other tips do help (I always flush through with fresh water at the end of the day) but the root cause is stagnant water in the sea water supply upstream of the pan.

 

[ingenious]

It's buried away in this thread and in the link I posted but the important thing to be aware of is the stench is caused by the stagnant sea water held in the supply pipe. No amount of bleach, fresh water bowl rinses etc stops the rotting bacteria in the pipe except something like Sea Smart which doesn't squirt directly into the bowl as people think but injects the antibac into the supply hose killing that bacteria.

Other tips do help (I always flush through with fresh water at the end of the day) but the root cause is stagnant water in the sea water supply upstream of the pan.

That seems to make a lot of sense. The boat already has something called a Neutra-salt flushing pump for the engine coolant but I haven't yet discovered how and when to use it!

 

[charlumax]

That seems to make a lot of sense. The boat already has something called a Neutra-salt flushing pump for the engine coolant but I haven't yet discovered how and when to use it!

For what it’s worth I paid a contractor to swap out from manual seawater flush to electric. They fitted a Jabsco electric conversion which is so unbelievably noisy as it macerates its ridiculous. We had no idea it would be like this, defo can’t use it at night as it will wake the other and the dog. ilcertainly would have paid more for a quiet flush, do make sure you consider that.
Additionally it’s gone wrong after 13 months and we need a new unit. Supplier contractor is “discussing” with Jabsco directly and I’m waiting to hear if they will replace the unit foc. It’s hardly been used. I wouldn’t buy Jabsco again for sure.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

You bought the wrong loo. Tecma or Planus are the gold standard as I suggested earlier. Almost silent.

 

[Seastoke]

That seems to make a lot of sense. The boat already has something called a Neutra-salt flushing pump for the engine coolant but I haven't yet discovered how and when to use it!

Remember never put wipes down the bog.

 

[47GC]

+1 Planus.

 

[dunedin]

Freshwater flush is a game changer for boat bogs. Get it professionally done, change all the hoses at the same time and scrap the seawater flush, and if the loo is a manual pumper then change for a Tecma or Planus electric. The best upgrade you’ll ever make.

I actually find that sad that fitting an electric fresh water flush loo is “the best upgrade you will ever do”
I could think of 50 or a 100 more important things on our boat.

And manual flush plus sea water has benefit of simplicity, reliability, doesn’t waste fresh water or consume power (many of us are off-grid for a week or more). From most accounts, manual flush are quieter and less disturbance at night also.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I actually find that sad that fitting an electric fresh water flush loo is “the best upgrade you will ever do”
I could think of 50 or a 100 more important things on our boat.

And manual flush plus sea water has benefit of simplicity, reliability, doesn’t waste fresh water or consume power (many of us are off-grid for a week or more). From most accounts, manual flush are quieter and less disturbance at night also.

We can agree to differ. And the good electric loos are virtually silent, way quieter than a manual dumper pumper.

 

[Refueler]

We can agree to differ. And the good electric loos are virtually silent, way quieter than a manual dumper pumper.

Like Dunedin - I too can find better things to spend money on than an electric loo !

But I do accept that this subject is on the MoBo forum - so power is not the great decider as it is with sailboats ... Average MoBo - if there ever is such a thing ! - are recharging batterys every time they do a trip ... I was going to say 'sail' ! ... but a Sailboat relies on far less opportunity to charge batterys.

 

[Seastoke]

This really is a shit thread.

 

[Refueler]

This really is a shit thread.

They say - Where's there's Shit - there's money !

 

[markc]

I'm in the process of converting mine to fresh water flush. I had it on the last boat and it was much more pleasant. I do have the advantage of having a 3rd bathroom on board that is manual and will remain manual & seawater flush, for emergencies. TBH, not only does it stink when we've not been on board for a while, but it's also harder keeping them 'fresh' during long stays as we avoid using chemicals that end up in the holding tank. It's a fairly easy process, taking a T off an existing cold supply to the bathroom, installing an isolator valve and a non-return anti-syphon solenoid that's powered via the existing power to the WC. We do have 800 litres of fresh water plus a 100lph watermaker, so the consumption isn't a worry, but it certainly would be otherwise, especially as the kids haven't mastered the art of saving water when we're at anchor!

 

[Momac]

we avoid using chemicals that end up in the holding tank.

I have been using Odourlos the last couple of years and find it very economical and effective.( Although I haven't used it with sea water flush). It's an enzyme. So happy to have that in the holding tank as it breaks down the waste .
In theory it just needs one dose of Odourlos after each time the holding tank is emptied but I sometimes add an extra dose to the water in the toilet when are leaving the boat unattended for a few days.

I had previously used a different sort of commonly available toilet chemical until I discovered it to be very highly toxic / carcinogenic. I wonder how a chemical like that can possibly be sold to the public when alternatives are available at no cost premium.

 

[markc]

I have been using Odourlos the last couple of years and find it very economical and effective.( Although I haven't used it with sea water flush). It's an enzyme. So happy to have that in the holding tank as it breaks down the waste .
In theory it just needs one dose of Odourlos after each time the holding tank is emptied but I sometimes add an extra dose to the water in the toilet when are leaving the boat unattended for a few days.

I had previously used a different sort of commonly available toilet chemical until I discovered it to be very highly toxic / carcinogenic. I wonder how a chemical like that can possibly be sold to the public when alternatives are available at no cost premium.

Yes, I use something similar, but it's a capsule, a bit like a dishwasher tablet, I think it's Dometic. It's more that I avoid bleach type cleaners for the bowl, etc.

 

[Elessar]

I've been looking at the list of advisories on the surveyor's report on my boat. Most are fairly straightforward but one that wasn't as clear was:

- WC is seawater flush only

Apparently this is as factory design but it is a common modification to install a valve to switch between seawater and freshwater as the seawater in bays and lagoons often has a lot of bacteria and insect larvae, particularly in summer, which can cause bad smells and blockages.
I found a thread showing how to do it on the Jeanneau owners forum but I don't really want to be ripping into the boat having only just got it so, if I do need it done, would probably get the workshop in the port to do it.
Is it worth doing
Thoughts from others in SoF?

Fresh water flush every day - johns ocean crossing adventures aside - and even then I’d fit a changeover. John spends far more time at anchor than he does at sea.

Very important that toilet germs can’t back flush to your fresh water tank though. You need a syphon break like this.

Cheaper than the disguise a stink with a different stink systems suggested on here.

Solenoid Siphon Breaker Marine Toilet Yacht Boat 12V | eBay

Better still fit a tecma or planus. Game changers.

 

[Elessar]

We can agree to differ. And the good electric loos are virtually silent, way quieter than a manual dumper pumper.

And much more hygienic with none of the horrible nooks and crannies, exposed pipes etc that are very difficult to clean.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

IYKYK

 

[BB1]

I've been looking at the list of advisories on the surveyor's report on my boat. Most are fairly straightforward but one that wasn't as clear was:

- WC is seawater flush only

Apparently this is as factory design but it is a common modification to install a valve to switch between seawater and freshwater as the seawater in bays and lagoons often has a lot of bacteria and insect larvae, particularly in summer, which can cause bad smells and blockages.
I found a thread showing how to do it on the Jeanneau owners forum but I don't really want to be ripping into the boat having only just got it so, if I do need it done, would probably get the workshop in the port to do it.
Is it worth doing
Thoughts from others in SoF?

Yes, well worth doing.

 

[Refueler]

Today I launched my 38cr ... and let the SW in ... no smells at all from any pipes ... or the bog ... and she's been standing since lift out last end of season.