Guest Etiquette when Cruising

[Tamar]

I once owned a bav 52 based in Corfu. If I invited guests to stay, which was a few times a season, I didn't expect them to contribute anything, and I made that clear when I invited them. Can you imagine divvying up the fuel and food costs at the end of the trip? Go enjoy your holiday.

 

[Elessar]

I'll take you off my guest list then.

The rule is that nothing your body does not produce is put down the toilet. Simpler than specifying feminine "products", baby wipes etc... Just have a ban on anything artificial.

Reasoning is partly environmental (baby wipes, tampons etc have plastic content and DO NOT bio-degrade) and partly to stop the heads getting blocked by excissive use of paper. A side effect is that less paper is used. Or none at all if the adjacent shower head is for cleansing as is common is the middle east and other parts of the world.

I don't understand why this might be considered unhygienic? Paper is put into a small lined waste container with a lid. Can be emptied immediately and a fresh liner supplied if crew member is squeamish about their bodily functions.

Yuk that’s really disgusting. Anyway paper goes in the holding tank not in the anchorage. If you don’t have a holding tank go ashore to poop if you’re around other boats.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Yuk that’s really disgusting. Anyway paper goes in the holding tank not in the anchorage. If you don’t have a holding tank go ashore to poop if you’re around other boats.

Exactly. The reason marine toilets, heads, block is because of abuse and lack of maintenance putting paper in them has nothing to do with it.

People cite Greece as a reason, the reason is that the Greek toilets and subsequent infrastructure are not designed and capable for one reason or another of taking paper. Just because a country adopts 3rd world practices it is no reason for a civilised boat to adopt them.

 

[capnsensible]

Exactly. The reason marine toilets, heads, block is because of abuse and lack of maintenance putting paper in them has nothing to do with it.

People cite Greece as a reason, the reason is that the Greek toilets and subsequent infrastructure are not designed and capable for one reason or another of taking paper. Just because a country adopts 3rd world practices it is no reason for a civilised boat to adopt them.

Well you certainly like to be controversial! Despite clear and overwhelming evidence from those that have had to unblock marine heads that have been clogged by tissue, you inist that it doesnt happen!

There are other countries, just like Greece where the diameter of the infrastructure plumbing cant deal with swollen wet tissue. This is not third world. Its just people being squeamy and unable to cope with reality.

It would be interesting to hear exactly what maintenance you propose that will overcome the problem of swollen tissue blocking pipes for tens of thousands of yachts, boats, Greece and Spain.

 

[capnsensible]

Oh and even more entertaining is dealing with the accumulation of expanded wet tissue in holding tanks! Going in the water to free the blocked hull valve backed up by gallons of black water..... now thats definitely not for some on here!

You can try using the dinghy pump to pressurise the tank.....when it works, it does go with a bit of a blast. Used that method twice on a Jenneau 45 holding tank with people mot doing what they were asked and once on a Bav 37. Similar reason, really, people dont listen!

Be sure to warn your neighbours if you do this in harbour. Ive seen several instances of the results in marinas..... :ambivalence:

 

[DannyB]

The only person I know who has had problems with their loo, is a friend with a Bavaria. It appears to be a case of bad design with an elbow in the discharge pipe work. He replaced his Jabsco with an electric macerator type of toilet which is so noisy, he is afraid to use it at night.

 

[Iain C]

I'm another one who thinks the bin thing is pretty gross, and as the father of a toddler I should be pretty oblivious to these things! I've never experienced a blockage, with lots of total newbies as crew...I'd hope it's all down to (my) skippers briefing which goes something like this...

1-Think briquettes not logs please
2-Crimp often during the exercise
3-Flush before, during, during, during, and after
4-The only thing that is not brown or yellow going down the loo is a small quantity of this loo roll. Nothing else whatsoever, no ifs, no buts. Otherwise you WILL need to pay attention to point 5.
5-Pete, please lift up that locker lid. Under there can everyone see that toolbox? Good, it contains a large flat bladed screwdriver, spanners, rubber gloves, and a parts diagram of the loo, all you need to strip, clean, and re-assemble it...

 

[Iain C]

If there are paid crew on board, slip your stewardess something worthwhile before you leave.

Whatever happens, do not under any circumstances do this. Lots of legal bills, lost friendships, divorce lawyers, very messy indeed...

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Well you certainly like to be controversial! Despite clear and overwhelming evidence from those that have had to unblock marine heads that have been clogged by tissue, you inist that it doesnt happen!

There are other countries, just like Greece where the diameter of the infrastructure plumbing cant deal with swollen wet tissue. This is not third world. Its just people being squeamy and unable to cope with reality.

It would be interesting to hear exactly what maintenance you propose that will overcome the problem of swollen tissue blocking pipes for tens of thousands of yachts, boats, Greece and Spain.

You missed the bit about maintenance and abuse I will bet the numbers of people that have never suffered a blockage outweighs this that have by many thousands.

As for maintenance don't let the pipework become clogged with calcium deposits, the lazy will try with various acids others will remove periodically and renew or break up the deposits, they can build up very quickly if you don't flush the entire system every time you use it. As for abuse instruct that paper is to be used sparingly and if more than the usual few sheets is required pump and wipe pump and wipe. and other than human waste and the necessary paper nothing else goes in. Then the final instruction, if you block it you clean it, that seems to focus minds very well.

And there is nothing wrong with the diameter of my plumbing.:encouragement:

 

[johnalison]

You missed the bit about maintenance and abuse I will bet the numbers of people that have never suffered a blockage outweighs this that have by many thousands.

As for maintenance don't let the pipework become clogged with calcium deposits, the lazy will try with various acids others will remove periodically and renew or break up the deposits, they can build up very quickly if you don't flush the entire system every time you use it. As for abuse instruct that paper is to be used sparingly and if more than the usual few sheets is required pump and wipe pump and wipe. and other than human waste and the necessary paper nothing else goes in. Then the final instruction, if you block it you clean it, that seems to focus minds very well.

And there is nothing wrong with the diameter of my plumbing.:encouragement:

Your prostate is no concern of mine.

One point that hasn't been addressed is the quality of paper used. I am beginning to have a suspicion that blockers have become used to luxury brands, triple-ply or whatever. If this is so, then it is no surprise that they suffers blockages. We use ordinary cheap paper, which is soft and strong enough for anyone. Some months ago I was in India, on a river boat and the paper provided was so flimsy that it would be hard-pressed to blocked even a fuel line. If people are worried, they should send to India for supplies.

 

[maby]

...

One point that hasn't been addressed is the quality of paper used. I am beginning to have a suspicion that blockers have become used to luxury brands, triple-ply or whatever. If this is so, then it is no surprise that they suffers blockages. We use ordinary cheap paper, which is soft and strong enough for anyone. Some months ago I was in India, on a river boat and the paper provided was so flimsy that it would be hard-pressed to blocked even a fuel line. If people are worried, they should send to India for supplies.

The Thetford stuff sold at many major chandleries seems pretty good. It is strong enough to do its intended job without shredding, but rapidly breaks up in water. We've never had any problems with blockages - we enforce a policy of using paper sparingly and flushing between wipes. I also periodically close the outlet valve of the holding tank, pump in a couple of gallons of water, add a good slug of holding tank fluid and let it stew for an hour or two. That seems to give the base of the tank a good flush out.

 

[rotrax]

Tesco's value loo paper also works good and at far less cost.

 

[capnsensible]

You missed the bit about maintenance and abuse I will bet the numbers of people that have never suffered a blockage outweighs this that have by many thousands.

:

Of course very light usage will put the problem off for a long time.

I wonder how many people on here actually take the discharge pipe off periodically and clean it? An unpleasant task, personally lost count.

Acids? There are most definitely some that work to dissolve calcium deposits. On Lavac style heads something like dilute hydrochloric works well on the pipes but can degrade the seals in the pump. On the lavac system though, absolutely fab. On my liveaboard yacht, the discharge pipework is a bitch to remove...... as are a lot of yachts.... but since using Agua Fuerte weekly, Ive gone for a few years of not taking the pipe off.

The heavy use charter and school yachts get obviously highlights problems far quicker than boats in normal light leisure use. Can make for an unpleasant time on turn around days.

Electric heads can be worse. People seem to think that despite warnings, they can chuck anything down there. Used condoms are, I promise, quite revolting to deal with! On the Charter Cat I routinely skipper, the owner had two electric lavacs and has converted the public use one back to hand pump. Again, the squeamy dont listen, especially kids.......

So, for a few fusspots, people who run bars, restaurants and boats have to get involved in very unpleasant, time consuming and costly work. All because some people go 'urgh thats yucky' and dont listen to the multitudinous voices of experience!

There is the obvious and simple answer. Dont put tissue down the heads!!!

 

[[3889]]

Surely the answer is that there will be no build up if urine and sea water are not allowed to lay together in the pipework; that is what produces the crystalization. I show guests my plumbing on the first night :-o I emphasise the objective of pumping out is not to empty the bowl but to flush the whole system, including the 1.5m of pipeing to the holding tank, so only sea water remains. A photo such as this reinforces the concept along with genuine details of having to unblock a pipe with internal diameter reduced to my little finger.

 

[BrianH]

One point that hasn't been addressed is the quality of paper used. I am beginning to have a suspicion that blockers have become used to luxury brands, triple-ply or whatever. If this is so, then it is no surprise that they suffers blockages. We use ordinary cheap paper, which is soft and strong enough for anyone.

+1.
This, and ladies that use reams after even a pee. But I feel the key is the paper itself. Really cheap, single-ply toilet-paper is strong enough in single tear-off sections when dry. Immersed in water it seems to quickly self-destruct into soft pieces that, in sensible quantities, couldn't block anything.

 

[vyv_cox]

Surely the answer is that there will be no build up if urine and sea water are not allowed to lay together in the pipework; that is what produces the crystalization. I show guests my plumbing on the first night :-o I emphasise the objective of pumping out is not to empty the bowl but to flush the whole system, including the 1.5m of pipeing to the holding tank, so only sea water remains. A photo such as this reinforces the concept along with genuine details of having to unblock a pipe with internal diameter reduced to my little finger.
View attachment 79302

But the big problem with this approach is a closed gravity holding tank, unless you have a diverter valve. Ours would be full in a day using your method. We just have to accept that salts are going to accumulate in the hoses.

 

[santelmo]

Oh good another toilet discussion. Its amazing the direction that threads will take, this one has gone right to the bottom.

 

[Wansworth]

Worked on a trawler where “it” went straight out.......had to watch it in lumpyweather ,well that’s my contribution!

 

[capnsensible]

Oh good another toilet discussion. Its amazing the direction that threads will take, this one has gone right to the bottom.

Its bread and butter for a plumber.

 

[Resolution]

You missed the bit about maintenance and abuse I will bet the numbers of people that have never suffered a blockage outweighs this that have by many thousands.

Having run a small charter fleet for a while, I can assure you that blockages were all too frequent, notwithstanding careful maintenance and very direct instructions during the customer briefings. Horrible job for the service gang, clearing someone else's cr&p.