Why living on a boat sucks

[lindabarzini]

Why living on a boat sucks.

Haven't we all been there. This was one potential reason I thought about not having a boat. I think a Nature's Head composting toilet is the way to go for me.

[TeddyDiver]

:-D thanks for sharing. Just what we wanted to see... and hear

[Saleen411]

This has already been posted before.

[skipmac]

Yes this has been posted before. Classic case of a terrible installation and terrible maintenance.

With the right head, proper installation and some care in what is flushed (or attempted to be flushed) a marine head is reliable and relatively low maintenance. Swap out the joker valve (once a year I think is recommended) and an overhaul every few years 5-10 depending on the head and how lucky you are.

Composting heads do have their benefits and fans but composting heads also seem to be one of those love it or hate it items. Personally I prefer swapping out a joker valve once a year to hauling compost every week or so (I don't care how sweet it smells) and dumping urine every few days. Plus composting heads ain't cheap. Not sure why they cost so much for something with no mechanics, moving parts or gold plated fixtures.

[lindabarzini]

Sorry, if its been posted before. I've only been here since January. I just found the gagging part hilarious and very relatable.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by lindabarzini

Sorry, if its been posted before. I've only been here since January. I just found the gagging part hilarious and very relatable.

Don't you know that forum etiquette requires you spend a minimum of 30 minutes searching all previous threads before posting a new topic.

Seriously, it happens all the time and it's often impractical or impossible to find a previous post of the same topic if was under some very different title.

[svHyLyte]

Linda--

A properly maintained marine toilet used properly (i.e. nothing goes in it other than human waste and TP) will function as well as a toilet ashore. The key is "properly maintained" which really isn't very difficult but seems a job that gets avoided all too often. Just include to heads on one's routine maintenance schedule and you'll be fine. To ensure plumbing doesn't load up with precipitates, we use a mix of Saltaway and water in a squeeze bottle and add a few squirts of that to the bowl and pump it into the system once the bowl's been pumped clear of waste and we've yet to have a problem on our boats, two since 1976...

FWIW...

[Saleen411]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ke-168834.html


For those that are interested in this topic....

[Livia]

I hadn't seen this Linda so thanks for posting. Super funny (and gross)

[sailorchic34]

Joy, I get to rebuild my head tomorrow. So not looking forward to it. But it MUST be done.

[lindabarzini]

Originally Posted by svHyLyte

Linda--

A properly maintained marine toilet used properly (i.e. nothing goes in it other than human waste and TP) will function as well as a toilet ashore. The key is "properly maintained" which really isn't very difficult but seems a job that gets avoided all too often. Just include to heads on one's routine maintenance schedule and you'll be fine. To ensure plumbing doesn't load up with precipitates, we use a mix of Saltaway and water in a squeeze bottle and add a few squirts of that to the bowl and pump it into the system once the bowl's been pumped clear of waste and we've yet to have a problem on our boats, two since 1976...

FWIW...

No way. Even the best maintained marine heads stink. Other than potential seasickness, this was a major disqualifying issue to me getting a boat.

From all the videos I have watched, it seems the creation of black water sewage is the problem. The composting toilets all seem relatively benign. They are about $1000, but it is one expense that will be worth it to me.

[darylat8750]

Originally Posted by lindabarzini

No way. Even the best maintained marine heads stink. Other than potential seasickness, this was a major disqualifying issue to me getting a boat.

From all the videos I have watched, it seems the creation of black water sewage is the problem. The composting toilets all seem relatively benign. They are about $1000, but it is one expense that will be worth it to me.

Mine doesn't smell and I have a sensitive nose. The yearly maintenance is an irritation but I have replaced stoppers and floats on my land house in the last year too.

[sailorchic34]

What tends to smell is seawater critters dying inside the flush ring of the bowl. Fresh water boats don't have that issue.

I've lived aboard for 9 years and overall I enjoy it, even with a head rebuild every 4-5 years.

For me living ashore tends to suck. Too much noise and too many people.

But I'm weird.

Compositing toilets have maintenance too as the electric heating element in some tends to burn out now and then. Had another lady liveaboard that had one.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

What tends to smell is seawater critters dying inside the flush ring of the bowl. Fresh water boats don't have that issue.

Exactly. I redid my head system: rebuilt the heads, new poly holding tanks with proper vents, and all new, impermeable, top of the line hoses. The head has zero smell, absolutely none at all, except when the boat has been sitting for a couple of weeks, the first flush I get the dead critters smell until the stagnant water passes through the bowl. Then all is good again until the head is unused for a while.

If I hooked up fresh water flush that would get rid of that one last little smell and it would be no different than a home toilet for smell.

[Red Sky]

"From all of the videos I have watched", is usually said by someone who has no idea what they're talking about. To use that video as an example of what most of us have in the way of sanitation systems proves the point. I did like the line, "Like an omelet made of poop", lol. Me, 14 year old boat, 2 heads,100gal. + - holding tank and 0 odor.

+1 Skipmac, If I'm leaving the boat and not using the head for awhile, I use fresh water for the last flush and there's no critters to die and produce a smell when I return.