chinita
Well-Known Member
Not Jack Russells, apparently
Pete
Trust me, by the time I have finished with her every time she does this - she wishes she had dissolved!
Who here actually uses a porta potty?
- Thread starter ChattingLil
- Start date
Trust me, by the time I have finished with her every time she does this - she wishes she had dissolved!
Bru
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the world of small boating on a budget 
Stick with the Portapotti is my advice for the following reasons ...
Firstly it's simple and virtually maintenance free
Secondly, the Achilles doesn't have a heads compartment and the Portapotti can be moved out into the cockpit (when you get a cockpit tent) for use at night
Third, more and more places are discouraging the use of sea toilets and it's probably only a matter of time, and not much time at that, before they're banned in inshore waters / rivers
Fourth, if the boat heels over enough to spill the contents of the loo, the spilling of the contents of the loo are going to be the least of your worries! In any case, it will only leak if either the seals are shot or somebody didn't close the slider. If the loo is in good condition it won't leak even if knocked down (and if you're capsized you're really not going to give, if you'll pardon the pun, a crap about the crapper!)
A slug of Aquachem after each emptying will keep it fresh and also helps to break down the contents. Use cheap supermarket loo roll (the recycled stuff is best) as that breaks down really quickly. Don't, for the love of God, use expensive Andrex quilted stuff 'cos it never breaks down at all. Apologies for being gross but don't be in a hurry to empty the Portapotti unless and until it's fairly full (I don't go near it until the level indicator on the waste tank is showing red) because the longer it's allowed to fester, subject to the aforementioned slug of Aquachem, the more liquid and less offensive the contents when it comes to emptying it
And when it comes to emptying it ...
Bradwell have recently installed an emptying point and are therefore unique (to the best of my knowledge) on the East Coast
The contents of Brigantia's loo go over the side - I drop the lower guard wire off the pelican hook, lean the tank on the gunwhale and tip it up. I then flush it a couple of times with seawater - useful device - plastic painters "kettle" a.k.a. small bucket basically from Wickes with a lanyard on the handle* - before returning it to the heads compartment, adding a slug of Aquachem** and a splash of fresh water
The where and when of it going over the side is another matter. One tends not to do it up-tide of moored boats, dinghy racing fleets or in the vicinity of the Harbour Master's launch
* This small bucket lives in the cockpit and is incredibly useful. It's used for swilling down the decks, flushing spilt coffee (regularly) down the cockpit drains and peeing into etc.
** The Aquachem will eliminate the risk of marine life thriving in the holding tank. I suppose one really ought to use Aquachem Green but we use Blue and to hell with it. In the quantities we're talking about here it's going to have sod all effect on the environment and I prefer to use something that does the job rather than waste my money on something that doesn't!
Stick with the Portapotti is my advice for the following reasons ...
Firstly it's simple and virtually maintenance free
Secondly, the Achilles doesn't have a heads compartment and the Portapotti can be moved out into the cockpit (when you get a cockpit tent) for use at night
Third, more and more places are discouraging the use of sea toilets and it's probably only a matter of time, and not much time at that, before they're banned in inshore waters / rivers
Fourth, if the boat heels over enough to spill the contents of the loo, the spilling of the contents of the loo are going to be the least of your worries! In any case, it will only leak if either the seals are shot or somebody didn't close the slider. If the loo is in good condition it won't leak even if knocked down (and if you're capsized you're really not going to give, if you'll pardon the pun, a crap about the crapper!)
A slug of Aquachem after each emptying will keep it fresh and also helps to break down the contents. Use cheap supermarket loo roll (the recycled stuff is best) as that breaks down really quickly. Don't, for the love of God, use expensive Andrex quilted stuff 'cos it never breaks down at all. Apologies for being gross but don't be in a hurry to empty the Portapotti unless and until it's fairly full (I don't go near it until the level indicator on the waste tank is showing red) because the longer it's allowed to fester, subject to the aforementioned slug of Aquachem, the more liquid and less offensive the contents when it comes to emptying it
And when it comes to emptying it ...
Bradwell have recently installed an emptying point and are therefore unique (to the best of my knowledge) on the East Coast
The contents of Brigantia's loo go over the side - I drop the lower guard wire off the pelican hook, lean the tank on the gunwhale and tip it up. I then flush it a couple of times with seawater - useful device - plastic painters "kettle" a.k.a. small bucket basically from Wickes with a lanyard on the handle* - before returning it to the heads compartment, adding a slug of Aquachem** and a splash of fresh water
The where and when of it going over the side is another matter. One tends not to do it up-tide of moored boats, dinghy racing fleets or in the vicinity of the Harbour Master's launch
* This small bucket lives in the cockpit and is incredibly useful. It's used for swilling down the decks, flushing spilt coffee (regularly) down the cockpit drains and peeing into etc.
** The Aquachem will eliminate the risk of marine life thriving in the holding tank. I suppose one really ought to use Aquachem Green but we use Blue and to hell with it. In the quantities we're talking about here it's going to have sod all effect on the environment and I prefer to use something that does the job rather than waste my money on something that doesn't!
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ChattingLil
Well-Known Member
well I was assuming you didn't defecate in the sink, so assumed it was urinating. if urinating, then it's surely easier for a man to plonk his plonker over the edge of the sink than it would be for a woman to hoik her self up and sit on the edge. Despite popular myths, not many of us females can actually point and aim from a distance!
and I only said EASIER, not IMPOSSIBLE!
prv
Well-Known Member
I think he was talking about defecating down the sink, but I also think (hope!) he was joking
Pete
WestWittering
Well-Known Member
I think we need a poll!
Di
Di
alant
Well-Known Member
well I was assuming you didn't defecate in the sink, so assumed it was urinating. if urinating, then it's surely easier for a man to plonk his plonker over the edge of the sink than it would be for a woman to hoik her self up and sit on the edge. Despite popular myths, not many of us females can actually point and aim from a distance!
and I only said EASIER, not IMPOSSIBLE!
But your post (a) & (b) was made in reply to
"The best way is to **** on a newspaper in a bucket, then light it and let it drift towards another boat. Or, simply **** down the sink if you dont have a proper loo."
(a)The best way is to **** on a newspaper in a bucket
(b)Or, simply **** down the sink if you dont have a proper loo."
Surely you can **** on a newspaper in a bucket!
Even I can work out that the bucket will be best placed on the floor whilst performing, not in the sink so a struggle with sitting on the edge!
The logic of the female mind defies all common sense!
DanTribe
Well-Known Member
well I was assuming you didn't defecate in the sink, so assumed it was urinating. if urinating, then it's surely easier for a man to plonk his plonker over the edge of the sink than it would be for a woman to hoik her self up and sit on the edge. Despite popular myths, not many of us females can actually point and aim from a distance!
and I only said EASIER, not IMPOSSIBLE!
" I knew she was a classy bird because she moved the dishes first"
Was that song Supercharge ?
prv
Well-Known Member
As an aside, why the newspaper? Half-filling the bucket with seawater works fine, and is easier to dispose of.
Pete
alant
Well-Known Member
V1701
Well-Known Member
I freed up enough space to create an extra storage area when I removed the sea toilet on my Vega. Now I have a holding tank & can use in marina with impunity. It's 135 with hold down kit, also fitted extra battens to keep it in place. Prefer not to carp in it but have used it for that purpose, emptying isn't difficult or messy but then I haven't tried it in bad conditions. It's on the small side to sit on so if you have a large posterior maybe not for you. But then my old sea toilet was like sitting on a giant golf tee! Annie & Pete Hill (Annie is the author of "Voyaging on a Small Income") used PPs for years. Sea toilets have their own problems, first time I used mine in anger it blocked...
N.B. I don't keep my cereal next to the toilet it's a bin...
View attachment 27648 View attachment 27649
N.B. I don't keep my cereal next to the toilet it's a bin...
View attachment 27648 View attachment 27649
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I had a porta potty on my 22 footer and used it for 15 years.
It does need to be 'held down' when things are bouncy. I used a wooden bar across the top, the ends slotted under blocks screwed to the sides of the heads compartment.
It was an absolute bonus when I went through the French canals.
Emptied it at public / marina toilets, just tip the contents down the Loo (slowly to stop splash back) and flush.
If it's near full when you go to empty it, it's quite heavy, so a fold up shopping trolley frame is handy for transportation, so it's best to empty it when it is half full.
One thing that I did find useful was a length of hose pipe that I attached to a sink tap to flush around the 'holding tank' as bits of loo paper can get snagged on the inner fittings.
A tip I was given when I first got it was not to use too much Blue chemical, as that smells worse than human waste. Get the balance right and the porta potty doesn't smell at all.
ChattingLil
Well-Known Member
so what are you doing down the sink then?
that is what I saying is easier for a man...
the logic of some men to understand a simple line of question defies all common sense.
that is what I saying is easier for a man...
the logic of some men to understand a simple line of question defies all common sense.
Egbod
Well-Known Member
Porta Potti ---------- Heads absorbant liner
There is an alternative suitable for occasional use, see:
http://www.millermedicalsupplies.co...eanis-absorbent-carebag-toilet-bowl-liner-x20
I have a basic sea heads, no holding tank.
I have a supply of these liners just in case. They are no worse to dispose of then than a babies nappy.
And when i bought mine I also ordered some syringes for measuring epoxy resin.
There is an alternative suitable for occasional use, see:
http://www.millermedicalsupplies.co...eanis-absorbent-carebag-toilet-bowl-liner-x20
I have a basic sea heads, no holding tank.
I have a supply of these liners just in case. They are no worse to dispose of then than a babies nappy.
And when i bought mine I also ordered some syringes for measuring epoxy resin.
single
Well-Known Member
I have a proper 'heads' on the boat & a port-loo in the VW camper. I often wished when we were on the boat that it was the other way round.
Porta loo benefits : they don't smell, cost nothing to install, have a built in holding tank, easy to empty, more room in the boat & no pipes etc. cheap to buy & no servicing.
Drawbacks : may need to put a bungee or two on it to stop it moving about - I am sure it it no trouble to raise it & secure it.
My one resides discretely in a buddy seat in the camper, best thing I bought for the camper. I think Thetford make one designed for boats, I remember seeing it when I was doing my research.
Di
Having read the previous post, I could suggest mounting it on gimbals - but I won't
EDIT
More benefits - two pumps and it is clear, not endless pumping. Virtually silent. Nothing to block. Much more discreet.
Buy an nice new shiny one - see the Thetford website.
Exactly the same as above.Only other downside for boat use is, its quite heavy to move to empty it.
ProDave
Well-Known Member
N.B. I don't keep my cereal next to the toilet it's a bin...
View attachment 27648 View attachment 27649
well if this is going to be "show me your heads" here's mine:
I think something missing from this conversation is WHERE is your porta potti.
Unusually for such a small boat, mine is in a compartment (okay cupboard) with a curtain for a modecum of privacy. That's one of the reasons we bought this boat. So many of this size either have nothing, or it's under one of the bunks with no privacy at all.
The shelf above my potti slides back out of the way when you want to use the pot. And you don't quite hit your head on the VHF when seated.
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Seajet
...
RobF
Well-Known Member
I've got a Porta Potty on my 20 foot trailer sailor. I use a bucket when I'm out of sight of people and the Porta Potty in marinas or when dried out. Emptying it can be a bit of a pain, but I don't worry about the pain of unblocking a proper sea toilet or whether I will get any syphoned seawater back through the seacock.
I try not to use any loo when the boat is heavily heeled. As it's my boat, I can mandate that the boat is hove-to if there is any danger of heeling. I don't race my boat, so 4 mins hove-to really isn't a problem for me.
FWIW, I think I would slightly prefer a normal sea toilet, but I don't want one so much that I'm prepared to install it.
I try not to use any loo when the boat is heavily heeled. As it's my boat, I can mandate that the boat is hove-to if there is any danger of heeling. I don't race my boat, so 4 mins hove-to really isn't a problem for me.
FWIW, I think I would slightly prefer a normal sea toilet, but I don't want one so much that I'm prepared to install it.
Giblets
Well-Known Member
After reading through this thread I have a strange feeling that my old Ball Head contraption will be coming out this year and a nice new Porta Potti Qube 365 being fitted instead!
Seajet
...
After reading through this thread I have a strange feeling that my old Ball Head contraption will be coming out this year and a nice new Porta Potti Qube 365 being fitted instead!
Giblets,
re loos I know what you mean by ' ball head ' but it did bring up awful images about rolling seas momentarily !
NB one can get various size Porta Potti's to suit the boats' headroom, I have the 345.
I have found caravan shops are much chaper than ' yacht ' chandlers, I fitted wooden fiddles around the base and an elastic shock-chord over the top to keep the thing in place when not in use.
WestWittering
Well-Known Member
I'll post a piccie tommorow of the buddy box mine resides in inside the camper van. Very discreet
Di
Di