I read on one of the posts on this forum where someone had done some research into porta loos and I was impressed with his findings ( might have been Cisco) anyway I have done a search and can't find anything. Not sure if I know how to use it properly. I need to get one quickly as the loo on board Pelagia needs an upgrade. A porta loo would seem to be the easiest and cheapest solution. By the way I sailed Pelagia up from Albany to Rockingham and her new home on a swing mooring in Mangles Bay over the last 4 days. We averaged 6 knots over the 380 nautical mile trip with the breeze all down wind for the entire trip. Will do a separate post later when I have sufficiently recovered (lost iphone and all cards over the side 20 clicks before Mangles Bay).

Cheap and reliable. A bucket and rope.

I sort of thought a porta loo would not be easy to live with, as I kind of thought it was necessary to lug the heavy thing ashore to empty it when staying in inshore or environmentally protected waters.

A composting toilet seems easier to empty. The Air Head composting toilet is not cheap compared to a porta loo. I guess a holding tank installation for a marine head may not be cheap either, and hard to find space for a holding tank on a small sailboat.

Installing an Air Head requires glassing up any holes from an old marine head, drilling a hole in the deck to install a vent on deck, and supplying the fan with power. The little fan needs to run constantly. The seat is at a higher position than a marine head.

I'm using a TMC macerator (no holding tank) and may buy a low capacity porta potti for when it's required

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someday said..
I sort of thought a porta loo would not be easy to live with, as I kind of thought it was necessary to lug the heavy thing ashore to empty it when staying in inshore or environmentally protected waters.

A composting toilet seems easier to empty. The Air Head composting toilet is not cheap compared to a porta loo. I guess a holding tank installation for a marine head may not be cheap either, and hard to find space for a holding tank on a small sailboat.

Installing an Air Head requires glassing up any holes from an old marine head, drilling a hole in the deck to install a vent on deck, and supplying the fan with power. The little fan needs to run constantly. The seat is at a higher position than a marine head.

and the urine separator bottle?

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HG02 said..
and the urine separator bottle?

Has to be emptied every day or 2 (or maybe it could be left to 3 or 4 days or so if there is only 1 person on board), so it is probably best to buy a spare urine separator bottle. I figure it is easier to carry the urine separator bottle ashore than to carry the porta loo. Although of course its still heavy, as water is 1 kg per litre.

The solids are separated from the urine and not mixed with water, it might last a month before the solids needs to be emptied.

It would of course depend on how many people are on board.

Most of us take a leak about every 90 minutes or so [or less, age dependent] The male bed urinal bottle is the way to go. Mine is attached to a cord that is secured just inside the main hatch. When sailing I just pull the cord to get the bottle, use it then tip the contents over the side, drop the bottle into the water to pick up water to rinse. Chuck it back down below. I also use it in the cabin. I never take a leak over the side because it's awkward and dangerous. At the mooring same routine.
If your planning on using a porta loo check with the local regulations on emptying the contents. If your in a non environmental area where the fish are free to crap in the water you may be surprised. Have not kept current with the regulations since I retired and sold my boat that was in survey. At the time if you did not have an installed toilet/ holding tank it was open slather 100 metres from a public toilet. Charter boats had to have an installed toilet. Trawlers do not and once clear of the wharf by 100 metres your on your own.

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Ramona said..

Jode5 said..
Cheap and reliable. A bucket and rope.

Bucket and a rope plus one of these on a cord so you can just toss it over the side to clean.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1200ML-Male-Bed-Urinal-Pee-Urine-Bottle-For-Old-Man-Travel-Camping-Patient-/291883751111?var=&hash=item43f5a096c7:m:mxkKis4Y3j6SzNNVfCfQ2rw

EBay porta loo for the fairer sex.

Those urinals are wonderful. In winter you can lie in your bunk and take a leak. Luxury! Also less disturbance for the rest of the crew. A version with a screw lid is preferable.

Porta pottis are cheap, and all very similar quality, so what usually counts is the space available. There are various combinations of flush water and holding tank volumes.
Since we can always use sea water for flush water, that tank can be small. Holding tank size limited by space, or the ease of handling from the head area all the way to the dumping site. Potti liners ( I had to import mine from O/s), are a good aid to keeping it all shipshape.

Many owners in the Sydney area keep the sea head, and also have a porta potti for estuary stays. If you have a head compartment, then the Porta potti can sometimes be stowed between the V berths.

Buy the cheapest p/potty you can find and when its full , throw it over the side and buy another one

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Jolene said..
Buy the cheapest p/potty you can find and when its full , throw it over the side and buy another one

or buy some fine woods so you don't get splinters when your siding around and build one of these bad boys
South Ace loves his

"The male bed urinal bottle is the way to go"

Just get a vinagre bottle with a handle, then cut the opening out bigger. Then add a cord to the handle. Put the cord over a winch and toss overboard after use. I've been using this for years. My wife has no problem either.

DIY composter:

Privett urine separating toilet bowl-- about $100
bucket with clip-on lid for poo -- ask your local pool shop
Couple of 4-liter PET juice bottles for pee
Couple of bits of plywood
12V fan -- about $30 off Ebay
bit of vent tube.
A big BBQ spatula to turn the bucket contents every couple of days.
Total cost under $200.

Airhead and Nature's Head are about $1000, C-head (the best of the lot) is about $600.
Porta-potty chemical poopers are bloody horrible.
If there are no ladies on board, a bucket will do nicely. Keep it simple.

Bought the potti 335 six months ago to replace our head. Its especially designed for low height and small space. Works for us and not that much of an issue to handle.

the old 3ltr milk bottle works for me over the last few years as a urinal bottle

I feel terrible about my lack of acknowledgement re all the valuable input that I have received from all who have replied to my post. My most humble apologies. I have to admit to being somewhat overwhelmed by the number and variety of responses. From just wanting to know what the most practical and efficient ports loo is it seems that the majority opinion is the bucket is best. I have no problem with that. I just think it's probably not the most attractive option for women. Having said that I will probably go the bucket at least short term as I have many more pressing issues to spend money on ie replacing standing rigging. My boat seems to be turning into a bit of a male domain anyway I suppose. My wife seems to get badly seasick even at anchor.
So thanks again for everyone's input, much appreciated.

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josusa said..
I feel terrible about my lack of acknowledgement re all the valuable input that I have received from all who have replied to my post. My most humble apologies. I have to admit to being somewhat overwhelmed by the number and variety of responses. From just wanting to know what the most practical and efficient ports loo is it seems that the majority opinion is the bucket is best. I have no problem with that. I just think it's probably not the most attractive option for women. Having said that I will probably go the bucket at least short term as I have many more pressing issues to spend money on ie replacing standing rigging. My boat seems to be turning into a bit of a male domain anyway I suppose. My wife seems to get badly seasick even at anchor.
So thanks again for everyone's input, much appreciated.

MMM I wonder if you knew that about your wife before you bought the boat Josusa

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HG02 said..

josusa said..
I feel terrible about my lack of acknowledgement re all the valuable input that I have received from all who have replied to my post. My most humble apologies. I have to admit to being somewhat overwhelmed by the number and variety of responses. From just wanting to know what the most practical and efficient ports loo is it seems that the majority opinion is the bucket is best. I have no problem with that. I just think it's probably not the most attractive option for women. Having said that I will probably go the bucket at least short term as I have many more pressing issues to spend money on ie replacing standing rigging. My boat seems to be turning into a bit of a male domain anyway I suppose. My wife seems to get badly seasick even at anchor.
So thanks again for everyone's input, much appreciated.

MMM I wonder if you knew that about your wife before you bought the boat Josusa

She was fine on the hobie 16. She has always had to
use self control on ferry trips to Rottnest. I thought yachts with a keel in water and sail in air would provide enough stability of motion (unless running of course) to make it ok. All jokes aside, I am going to find it hard with our financial situation and nearing retirement to justify the continual outlay for something that at the moment is becoming more of an isolating factor than a bonding one. Anyway it's early days yet. My ten yr old son's enthusiasm or lack thereof will be the long term determining factor and of course affordability.

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josusa said..
I feel terrible about my lack of acknowledgement re all the valuable input that I have received from all who have replied to my post. My most humble apologies. I have to admit to being somewhat overwhelmed by the number and variety of responses. From just wanting to know what the most practical and efficient ports loo is it seems that the majority opinion is the bucket is best. I have no problem with that. I just think it's probably not the most attractive option for women. Having said that I will probably go the bucket at least short term as I have many more pressing issues to spend money on ie replacing standing rigging. My boat seems to be turning into a bit of a male domain anyway I suppose. My wife seems to get badly seasick even at anchor.
So thanks again for everyone's input, much appreciated.

Buy a thunderbox to hide the bucket in, also makes it easier to use the bucket as you can sit on the thunderboxes seat instead of having to squat over the bucket.