Portable toilet v holding tank

T

tarik

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Mar 2004
Messages
725
Location
Broadstairs Kent
Visit site
I am having to seriously consider fitting a holding tank, but it has been suggested that I consider replacing the existing sea toilet with a Thetford type portable loo with detachable holding tank ( 21 ltrs)
what does the Team think would it be a workable option - does anybody have a similar arrangement?

As ever many thanks for all advice tendered.


David
 
As a former caravan owner and user, yes, the Thetford system works well. No leaks, no smells (with the blue and pink fluids), easy to empty. And a hell of a lot cheaper than marine loos and holding tanks.

21l might be a bit small though, and require more loo discipline than a proper holding tank and pump out.

Do bear in mind that caravans don't heel as much as boats, though.
 
[ QUOTE ]
...it has been suggested that I consider replacing the existing sea toilet with a Thetford type portable loo with detachable holding tank...

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't do it, David! Those portable cassette thingies are the most inconvenient and messy systems ever invented!! Go down the holding-tank route.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Au contraire! I did exactly that with Freya 4 years ago. I added a wooden frame to the floor of the heads "compartment" to stop the thetford slipping. Also, a bungy to hold it in place when Freya heels over (which she does, a lot, being 22 ft LOA).

It saved lots of weight, and is adequate for about 48 hours (as long as you pee in a bucket...!) /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Holding tanks may be easier and less expensive than you think. If you have the space on a bulkhead fit the tank there with a gravity outlet. Plastimo and Vetus both do standard tanks. Lee Sanitation have some good schematics for layouts.

I had my tank custom made by Tek Tanks because a standard tank would not fit. Very reasonable and with all the fittings less than £400. They also publish material on designing tanks www.tek-tanks.com

IMO avoid pumped systems in the bilges. Expensive, one more hole in the bottom and lots of pipe and joins to leak/smell.

Most production boats now fit gravity tanks.

Hope this helps
 
I'm about to plumb a maccerator pump into the Porta Potti so that I can pump out at sea without too much trouble. At least I don't feel guilty about pumping raw sewage into harbours and when cleaning the bottom I can be sure nobody will 'dump' on me!

Yoda
 
[ QUOTE ]
advice tendered

[/ QUOTE ] Look at other makes as some are provided with clips so that they can be fastened down (Eg Bi Pot and others) but it is worth remembering that Thetford have been around a while and are well known and that hopefully spares will continue to be available in the future.

There are marine versions of Porta Pottis but I don't know what the difference is or if they are available on this side of the Atlantic.

You've got to consider how/when you will empty a Porta potti. You wont want to row it ashore from a mooring, or tip it over the side at your mooring I suspect.

I like the idea of fitting a Porta Potti or similar with a pump so that it can be used as a mini holding tank but pumped out when appropriate.

Unpleasant job emptying chemical toilets .... did it for many years when camping and it never became something to enjoy!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I'm about to plumb a maccerator pump into the Porta Potti

[/ QUOTE ] It would be interesting to know the details of your scheme
 
[ QUOTE ]
Unpleasant job emptying chemical toilets .... did it for many years when camping and it never became something to enjoy!

[/ QUOTE ]Dead right there! I had a PortaPotti on my first boat. What a dreadful thing to lift, carry and empty. Awful things. Go for a holding tank every time.
 
[ QUOTE ]
What a dreadful thing to lift, carry and empty

[/ QUOTE ] Not so much the lifting and carrying, provided you dont wait until it's absolutely full. It was pouring the contents into a big hole in the ground along with everybody elses that was the most unpleasant (You've probably guessed we did not use commercial camping sites, we just had a field with a tap and a big pit!) Used to take it all home from weekend camps sometimes and lift the inspection cover in the front garden.
 
Fitting a holding tank is a pretty serious ( and potentially frustrating) exercise. It all depends on your cruising style. You may find the portapotti a bit limiting 21 litres ain't much for four people, even if the chaps manage number ones overside, in which case your environmental cred is shot anyway. Don't dump the sea toilet, when you are out at sea it's not a problem. Have a look at those easier to fit holding tanks that fit around the base of the loo, which looks like a good compromise against the full monty installation . Lee Sanitation is a good place to start
 
Samwise - you're not really suggesting that peeing over the side is an environment no-no are you?
 
[ QUOTE ]
suggesting that peeing over the side is an environment no-no

[/ QUOTE ] Its not the pee thats the trouble (fish and small boys in swimming pools do it all the time) it's all the bodies in the water when people fall in that causes the pollution
 
I have a portapotti on my Seal28. I find it much nicer to use than the lavac that used to be fitted. You do need a certain robustness of constitution to cope with the idea of pouring sewage about, although, remember it is not raw - it has been well 'killed off' by the blue liquid. Compensations are:- There are no nasty smells, no worrying seacocks no hard pumping and its CHEAP!. You do have to follow the rules, though. Use the blue liquid - don't mess about with the green environmentally friendly stuff - and make sure you put in the correct amount - and in the summer time a little extra. Use the pink flush additive and fresh water to flush. Also keep a loo brush next to the loo, as the portapotti flush action is weak. I have the small model with the 12l tank - it is difficult to fit in the bigger 21l model because they are quite high. I have made two portable 25l 'holding tanks' which can be taken ashore and emptied. One of these lives in the loo compartment, so transferring portapotti contents to it is the work of a moment. Taking the holding tanks ashore is a chore, though, and with a family of four, needs to be done every five days.

Cheers! Neil
 
[ QUOTE ]
I find it much nicer to use than the lavac that used to be fitted.

[/ QUOTE ] Well as indicated above I've used a P'Potti camping and a Lavac while sailing. I know which I prefer given the option and it isn't the P'P.

I have to concede that the PP is better than the Mini Elsan bucket we had before it!
 
Not like camping .. Where do you find somewhere to empty it .. Friends of ours used a loo in the marina .. Blocked it good and proper .. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
Don't do that on a 31 footer. You willl regret it, I think.

As another poster suggested, look at Tek Tanks who can make you a tank custom-built for your space and it is surprisingly reasonably priced. Then a standard sea toilet and the Y valve and connectors and the whole thing is a DIY installation given pretty modest DIY skills. Tools - hole saw, drills, saw, able to fit bits of timber to hold holding tank in place, but nothing needs to be to a joinery quality.

There are so few pump-outs that unless you plan to be near to one, just go for discharge through the sea cock. If later you need to add a deck fitting, do so. There is nothing about the design that makes it difficult to retro-fit.
 
Thank you all for your replies. I think on balance I will probably opt for trying to fit a holding tank, although I will loose some locker space it might be better than carrying a heavy container to a discharge point.

regards


David
 
This is an interesting debate as I was considering a holding tank vs chemical loo on my boat. My previous boat didn't have a holding tank and I reckon there were less than 10 times in four years of cruising where we really would have wanted one. The typical scenario was crowded anchorage or harbour without accessible shoreside facilities. Since we had two loos our workaround was to use the second loo and not flush until we got out.

It was this logic and the fact that every charter boat I have hired has had smelly holding tank problems, which has brought me to the view that a holding tank is not worth it. I may even just buy one of those moulded buckets for "bucket and chuck it".
 
[ QUOTE ]
Since we had two loos .....

[/ QUOTE ] Now there's a situation that would lend itself to a Porta Potti. Conventional flushing job in one. PP in the other to use when inappropriate to use the former. If the PP was connected to a pump even the task of emptying it in the usual manner could be avoided.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top