Spending a penny

[Dolphin]

G'Day,
I have the usual over the side discharge system for the toilet on Felicite. We are soon moving to Lake Macquarie which is a no discarge zone. Looking at the Maritime NSW web site it suggests using holding tanks or "Porta potties".

Has anyone any experience with potties and is/are there any problems with heeling and losing the contents?
How do they work?
What would be the best way to fit it in the WC?

This is such a shame to get rid of the toilet as, like all boat owners, I've become a specialist in fixing it!

Greg
Felicite

[Miker]

Greg, Dulamara has a porta potti in the v berth. It's a pretty simple gadget actually.

Go to a chandlers, they'll have a selection and show you that usually they have a top sealed tank for the fresh water and freshener and a bottom tank for the waste and the bio-degradeable toilet chemical.

For Number Ones - open the trap in the bottom of the bowl, do your stuff and give it a couple of flush pumps, then close the trap.
For Number Twos - put two pumps of water in the bowl, and leave the trap closed, do your stuff, open the trap and then a couple more flushes.

Mine is actually just sitting on a timber platform the previous owner put in to replace the old pump out, it's nice enough. You could perhaps strap it in, but where mine is, it's quite snug and can't really go anywhere. Sorry, this is the only photo I have that shows where it is, but not how it works. If you look into the V berth, you'll see a timber fascia, with a slot cut out. The potti is behind that fascia, and the handle to open the trap is in the slot. You have to lift the cushion to use it.

We bought the boat in March, and have been on it about 3 weekends in 4 for a day out and have used the toilet at least once each every time out.... I emptied it yesterday for the first time... no, it doesn't smell if it's looked after well and chemicals added in correct amounts.

If the toilet is set up properly, it won't leak when healed. It's actually in two pieces, so to empty you just take the top section off, remove the bottom and take it to a toilet or empty station, empty and rinse it. Refill it with chemical and some water, then re-fill the top tank for the flush. It's really simple and quick, although yes, you do have to clean it out unlike the old pump out versions.

The other alternative is to have a pump out holding tank somewhere on the boat, and continue to use your current set up, but instead of pumping the waste over the side, pump it into the removable holding tank.

Either way, there will be pump out or carrying off involved at some point.

Cheers,
Michael

[SeaLady]

I have a porta potty and had the marine toilet removed as I don't like the idea of all that waste going into the water, as well as the legal aspects.

I have never had a problem with leakage. And purposely have a relatively small one so it is not too heavy to lift in and out. Being a solo female TopHat owner I have had to think about lifting as I am not as strong as some of you blokes out there.

Mine is a MkII and I just have it sitting in the V berth under the bed. No smell. Unlike nearly every holding tank boat I have ever been on.

I sail Sydney Harbour and would be interested in meeting up with other sailors.

Diana
Sea Lady
Tarban Creek
Sydney Harbour

[Miker]

Diana, I believe we've already met on the water. Must have been about 2 months ago, perhaps more. You were out with a male friend and towing a small snub nose dinghy? We sailed towards Spectacle Island and chatted a little before we headed up past Cockatoo. Our's is the light blue hulled "Dulcamara". You may have already met Dan from Auriga who's also moored in Tarban.

Michael

[Dolphin]

G'Day all,
Thank you to everyone who helped with information on Porta Potties especially Mike and Dianna.

I have just installed the Fiamma Bi Pot Cat No 89623 with a 13l holding tank purchased from Whitworths.
I used 2 collared eye bolts M*8 Cat No 35137. Be careful the thread is long but the plinth is very thick under the toilet. You need to cut the bolt to about 50mm plus. There is a lot of room below the plinth.
I used one diecast camlock roof rack tie down Cat No. 90381 Looking at the catalog it may have been better to get the Overlever Buckle Cat no 90451.
Enclosed ar epictures of the installation. It actually gave me more log room. Before my knees used to rub on the bulkhead and now I have about 25mm of room.
I put miracle grip doubled up under the toilet to stop it slipping Cat No 141101
Photos enclosed.

Thanks
Greg
Felicite MkIII

[Shaun]

A very interesting experiment undertaken by dedicated people on the Trailersailerplace website, using Napisan instead of the blue/green chemicals.

http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/fo ... ht=napisan

apparently the napisan renders the porta-pottie virtually odourless!

[Dolphin]

G'Day Shaun,
Does this mean I have to empty the contents every 3 days? Mike I thought you used it for months with the family on Sydney Harbour on Dulcamara? Did you dose it every time you use it or something?
This isn't looking good, combined with the smell of the Cormorants calling cards this could be worse than when I worked at Malabar Sewer works (aka Shit City). BTW I've put some humming line up to try and keep the little beggers off. Any experience with what really works short of a shotgun?

Greg.

[Miker]

Greg, I've only emptied mine once since April. I wouldn't say "The whole family" but there have been times when it's been 6 on board and at least three have been number twos. When we were out to sea, we peed overboard, but when we had to sit down.... well, we sat down. We've used the boat on average once a fortnight, and I've stayed overboard and done my morning ablutions and obligatory "Sit" twice now.

At present it's about half full, it doesn't smell at all. If you use the correct bio degradable chemicals to add to the waste tank and the flushing water you should have no problems and only empty it when it's getting close to full. You should be able to take the lower cassette with you when you leave, empty it and bring it back on next time out after washing it out and re-filling the biochemicals.

Works for me and no one has mentioned any odour apart from the deodorant whiff of the chemical. It also helps if you have a vent somewhere left open in the cabin area. I have one that's cracked open 24/7 to let the cabin breath whilst it's closed up. This also prevents mildew on nights when the condensation gets a bit thick.

Michael

[storm petrel]

Hi Greg,

I read in the Afloat mag that a cheap (they only last a few months) feather duster hanging from the rigging is very effective at scaring off birds. Might be worth a try.

Cheers,
Mark
Storm Petrel

[SeaLady]

I had my marine toilet removed professionally when she was slipped.
Mainly as I don't trust my own ability to properly seal off the cocks.

I stay on board often weekends and only need to empty mine every few months.

This year for the winter with day sails mostly and about 5 weekends on board it has lasted over 5 months.
If you have a lot of people on board and you are all there for some time. e.g. New Years I find I need to have it empty to begin with and then empty it again after a few days. Also people tend to drink more at times like this so have to empty more often.
Also hard for the boys to pee over the side as there are so many people around at times like this.

At home I have an envirocycle so can't empty it down my normal toilet as the chemical will upset the balance. So I take it to the local caravan park and they charge me $5 to use their facilities. Very easy.

I also use sea water in the top to save me carrying the weight on board.
It seems to work fine.