Number of toilets

[coopec43]

I am busy fitting out the aft cabin of a Roberts Mauritius 43 yacht I am building. The design provides for a second toilet in the aft cabin which I believe these days is impractical because.

• It would require another thru hull fitting.
• A second waste tank would be required.
• If I used it the yacht interior would be noisome.
• There really is not room for it.

The main toilet has a 170 cu ft(?) (noisy) extractor fan and of course waste tank.

Am I on the right track?

[slug]

Yah , normally a second head is is terrible waste of space on s small yacht
Far better to have a tool room , spare parts storage area

[AlanT]

Something to consider: You are probably safe with one head - however if you or if you have a partner on board who will not consider temporarily doing his/her business in a bucket you might want to consider a second head. There is no marine head in the world that has not become blocked at one point or another. I have had boats in the 30-40' range with only one head and we really appreciate having two heads in our more recent boats in the 40 - 50 foot range.

[ewsponberg]

If you number just two on board, then one head is plenty. If it is just you and a few kids, one head may still be sufficient. If you intend to have guests on board frequently, then a second head is more civillized.

[Wotname]

Crikey, it wasn't long ago that the family house (with lots of kids and rellies) had one dunny out the back and the boat had one bucket.

Space is always short on a boat, use it wisely; only you know your priorities

[peghall]

Your decision should come down to how many people are likely to onboard at least 95% of the time...if only you an your spouse, how often do you expect guests who'll be aboard at least overnight.


If you're comfortable with hosting as assortment of grown kids, grandkids and/or friends with only one loo for longer than an afternoon, then one should be enough. But I'd make sure before repurposing the second one.



--Peggie

[Knot Fast]

In 46 years of sailing, the only time guests abandoned ship was when the single head failed. 4 girls and 3 guys on 43' sloop sailing Pittwater Basin, 1985. The guys were "...no problem, we'll hang it over...". The girls were gone in 30 seconds.
Had 2 heads ever since.

[Spindrift NH]

We sure appreciate having two heads. Mostly just the two of us onboard so they’re really his & her’s, it’s especially nice when guests are visiting. We didn’t even consider multiple heads when looking for our liveaboard boat but the one we bought came with two. If for some reason we purchase another boat in the future I’m sure two heads will be on the must have list.
One holding tank services both heads.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by peghall

Your decision should come down to how many people are likely to onboard at least 95% of the time...if only you an your spouse, how often do you expect guests who'll be aboard at least overnight.

If you're comfortable with hosting as assortment of grown kids, grandkids and/or friends with only one loo for longer than an afternoon, then one should be enough. But I'd make sure before repurposing the second one.



--Peggie

Thank you that (I appreciate your advice)

I would expect only 5 maximum but most 3/4. I could have the kids/Grand-kids for an afternoon (but mostly the Grand kids would prefer their iPads these days)

I think I'll build a wardrobe where the toilet was meant to be so I can install a toilet later on if I so decide.

If I did have a malfunction in the main toilet would a camping type toilet be worth considering as back-up?
https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/adventure-kings-portable-camping-toilet-flushable-independent-tank.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoYfy0OXr6AIVwpGPCh19Eg DKEAQYASABEgK96PD_BwE

[Lost Horizons]

Originally Posted by coopec43

If I did have a malfunction in the main toilet would a camping type toilet be worth considering as back-up?

Don’t you have a swim platform?

[JPA Cate]

If you have a partner, what do they say? Porta Potties work okay. Some people don't like dealing with them.

I have to admit, there was a time when with only one head, both Jim and I had the flu, and were running at both ends. It was scary, but we made out okay.

Our present boat is a 46' one off, and has only one head. We've never had more than one.

Ann

[Mike OReilly]

My previous boat came with a second head in the aft cabin. My first project was to rip it out. Never missed it, but sure did appreciate all the extra storage space and far simpler head/tank/plumbing setup.

My current boat also has only one head. So far, never an issue. I'm sure there could be times when two heads are better than one (), but that would be rare event.

Originally Posted by AlanT

...There is no marine head in the world that has not become blocked at one point or another....

Not quite true. A composting head cannot become blocked. And if there's ever a problem, just tip it out and start fresh. Easy.

[peghall]

An MSD portpotty (what you call a camping toilet) could be a permanent solution. The "MSD" designation in the model name/number means it has fittings for a pumpout line and vent line, and is designed to be permanently installed (actually just sturdier brackets than portables, so you could still take it off the boat if you absolutely have to), which means that although it's still called a PORTApotty, you don't have to carry anything off the boat to empty it.

A 5-6 gallon model holds 50-60 flushes...you'd need at least a 30 gal tank to hold that many from a manual marine toilet. No plumbing needed except a vent line and pumpout hose--so no new holes in the boat...and -0- maintenance needed except for rinsing out the tank--which you can do with a bucket while it's being pumped out. Total cost including the pumpout hose and vent line is about $200USD--a fraction of what you'd spend for toilet, tank and all the related plumbing needed. And the best part is, you have all the advantages of a toilet and holding tank without giving up a single square foot of storage space. Check out the Dometic/SeaLand Sanipottie 975. Dometic has made it all but impossible find anything on their site, so this is a link to it on a US retailer's site...I'm certain it's available in OZ. SeaLand SaniPottie 975 MSD

If you want a more elegant version of a self-contained system, you might consider the Dometic 711 M28 M28 "marine traveler that's designed to use onboard pressurized fresh water. Dometic/SeaLand Traveler at Defender

Either of these should let that compartment double as a wardrobe.


--Peggie


And btw,..assuming that you want an electric toilet as your primary toilet, I suggest you go with one designed to use onboard pressurized freshwater, eliminating the need for a flush water intake thru-hull.


--Peggie

[Sojourner]

Can you repurpose one of the heads until emergency time? A good hanger system for lifejackets and wetsuits? Storage? Then it's not such a waste of space, and if the inevitable happens (and it will), you can switch the stuff over and flush away until you fix the problem.... or on shorter trips, ignore it, enjoy yourself, and fix it at the dock when you get home.

[jmh2002]

Originally Posted by Sojourner

Can you repurpose one of the heads until emergency time? A good hanger system for lifejackets and wetsuits? Storage? Then it's not such a waste of space, and if the inevitable happens (and it will), you can switch the stuff over and flush away until you fix the problem.... or on shorter trips, ignore it, enjoy yourself, and fix it at the dock when you get home.

^^^ This