Replacing Jabsco with PortaPotti - sealing seacocks

[GaryMiller]

We've just become the proud owners of a Seaward 25 and have been thinking about fitting a holding tank; however, the space available is very tight and we're now considering a PortaPotti with a 21 litre tank. I've looked at some of the previous discussions on this issue, and I appreciate that there will be a range of views on this idea, but I don't really want to set the particular hare running so my specific question is what is the best way to seal the sea cocks so that, in the event of the sale of the boat, we can include the original Jabsco as an option. The options I've come up with so far are:

1. Remove the pipework from the seacock, close it and tap in a wooden bung with some marine sealant after liberal application of grease to the moving parts.

2. Keep the pipework and make sure the end is above the waterline and put a bung in at the top of the pipe after closure/lube.

Any ideas/thoughts gratefully received.

 

[neil_s]

I removed the seacocks. I cut four disks from 3mm GRP sheet and secured one outside and one inside over each seacock hole, with the cavity filled with adhesive sealant. I used the seacock bolts to secure. I have kept the sea toilet in the shed for over 20 years now! Very happy with the Portapotti. I have limited space, so have the smaller model and a couple of 20 litre jerrycans modified with a bigger fill hole. I use double dose of Blue. Don't use sea water and don't pee over the side - the Portapotti needs plenty of liquid to keep it fresh.

 

[thinwater]

We've just become the proud owners of a Seaward 25 and have been thinking about fitting a holding tank; however, the space available is very tight and we're now considering a PortaPotti with a 21 litre tank. I've looked at some of the previous discussions on this issue, and I appreciate that there will be a range of views on this idea, but I don't really want to set the particular hare running so my specific question is what is the best way to seal the sea cocks so that, in the event of the sale of the boat, we can include the original Jabsco as an option. The options I've come up with so far are:

1. Remove the pipework from the seacock, close it and tap in a wooden bung with some marine sealant after liberal application of grease to the moving parts.

2. Keep the pipework and make sure the end is above the waterline and put a bung in at the top of the pipe after closure/lube.

Any ideas/thoughts gratefully received.

Off topic but ...

Don't do a porta-potti. They're just nasty and no fun to service.

Go with a desiccating head. There are new brands of all sizes on the market.

I've had holding tanks. They have their plusses and minuses. I've had porta-potties. They have no plusses compared to a desiccating head. None.

• Lighter.
• MUCH less odor. No porta-potti chemical really works.
• Easier to service.
• More capacity.
• No winterizing (can't freeze).

The Desiccating Head

---

Search the forums for threads. Often they are called separating composting toilets.

 

[VicS]

don't pee over the side -

That's one of the peasures of sailing!

 

[neil_s]

That's one of the peasures of sailing!

I agree! OK - don't pee over the side every time!

 

[MontyMariner]

put a bung in at the top of the pipe

I would have thought that a blanking cap would be better than a bung.
Whether you go the Portapotti or Dessicating head route you should devise a structure to hold it in place so it cannot tip over in bumpy seas.

 

[Sandy]

Why seal up the sea cocks. The next owner may want to use a sea toilet rather than a PortaPotti.

 

[Stemar]

Provided the through-hulls and seacocks are in good condition, I'd just close the cocks and forget about 'em. If you're concerned about them getting knocked open, take the handles off.

 

[Boathook]

It's good practice to seal off the open end of a pipe, especially where there is a valve involved. How you seal the end is another matter.

That's my gasboard training coming out ....

 

[vyv_cox]

I am guessing that 3/4 end caps are available from plumbing suppliers but doubt if the same applies to 1.5 inch. These days possibly in DZR.

 

[LittleSister]

I agree don't remove the seacocks.

To 'seal' them, first choice would be blanking plugs, but if they unavailable, I'd be tempted to just use a size adapter for one or other (or both) of the seacocks, and then just connect a flexible pipe between the two seacocks.

 

[GaryMiller]

Many thanks for all the ideas - I'm grateful that it didn't descend into a heated row about portapotties vs. Jabsco ..........................
I'm probably going for linking the seacocks with a flexible pipe with a good dose of lube beforehand and an occasional operation of the handles.
Thanks again.

 

[Gadget257]

I would agree the safest option is to glass up any unused through hulls (I've just removed and glassed up 3 of mine) - the next owner is free to re-drill them. On a smaller yacht finding space for a small holding tank is difficult also they fill up quickly (2-3 day use). A next season project is I've been considering is installing a composting toilet (Nature's Head Composting Toilets -- The Official Site) which could last a season between emptying. Unfortunately there is no UK dealer for this particular brand. Composting toilets at sea seem to be Marmite, with a love or hate opinions.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... 1. Remove the pipework from the seacock, close it and tap in a wooden bung with some marine sealant after liberal application of grease to the moving parts.

2. Keep the pipework and make sure the end is above the waterline and put a bung in at the top of the pipe after closure/lube.

Any ideas/thoughts gratefully received.

More or less what I did in a smilier situation. I have a redundant generator sea water inlet seacock which I chose to keep. I removed the hose, packed the seacock top with grease, fitted a stub section of hose, also filled with grease, and fitted into that a wooden bung; hose and bung secured with jubilee clips. The seacock is Blakes type to I nipped up the collet bolts which meant that the cone was a tight fit. The only reason for the grease was to fill the void and avoid any corrosion issues as a result of a damp space. The wooden blunt was a just a double barrier idea. So far, many years later, it is still just sitting there. My hose end is below water line.

Don't fibreglass your seacock holes. Your idea for leaving them should you wish to reinstate the loo and sell on is sound. Glassing up is just an unnecessary hassle.

 

[Frayed Knot]

“I'm grateful that it didn't descend into a heated row about portapotties vs. Jabsco”

There’s still time….

 

[Eddie White]

Screw a blanking plug into the seacock. Safest sealing method i'd have thought.

 

[Eccles]

I would agree the safest option is to glass up any unused through hulls (I've just removed and glassed up 3 of mine) - the next owner is free to re-drill them. On a smaller yacht finding space for a small holding tank is difficult also they fill up quickly (2-3 day use). A next season project is I've been considering is installing a composting toilet (Nature's Head Composting Toilets -- The Official Site) which could last a season between emptying. Unfortunately there is no UK dealer for this particular brand. Composting toilets at sea seem to be Marmite, with a love or hate opinions.

We have a Cuddy - UK dealer - very pleased with it.
Cuddy Composting Toilet - CompoCloset - Compo Closet UK

 

[PTB]

Ebay do silicone end caps for all sizes including 38mm. Close off seacock and jubilee an end cap on for extra security. Search 'silicone end caps' on ebay. I keep a few on board as well as wooden bungs.

 

[Refueler]

Funny true story ....

Snapdragon 23 ... 3 of us sailing round the Solent for a week .... just left Langstone Hbr at start of the jaunt.

Happily sailing along ... Dave - one of the guys was crew on Admirals Cup boats and he's pushing the boat to limits ... he's literally washing windows !!

When we tacked - I noted some water in the cabin ... strange .. never had before ....

Dave goes down into cabin .. sticks fingers in the water - tastes it ...

"Has a bit of a strange taste - don't think its from FW tank .... "

We found it was the Cruiser-Loo .... a 'Marine' version of the Porta-Potti ... basically it had decided to empty part into the bilge ... never did find out why .. but we assumed it was extreme heeling under Dave's helming !!

He survived the 'tasting !' ....

 

[Refueler]

To OP .. for how many years have you trusted the seacocks and the Jabsco ? Why would it be any different with the bog removed ? Apart from open pipes where bog used to connect - there's no difference.
So blank the ends of the pipes and enjoy life. This will then give next owner option to revert to Jabsco / whatever - or keep the PP.