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**newhaul** · 31-08-2016, 23:55

OK an FYI for everyone I looked at some of the op's other posts and in one he has stated he is in Texas.

peghall · 01-09-2016, 06:36

And you really think that someone who obviously has little if any knowledge and -0- previous experience owning any boat could just buy and then immediately do all that?

barnakiel · 01-09-2016, 07:02

Our friend sailed a 20' boat from N Europe to Africa and back. After the big sailing dream was over, he lived in his boat still for a time. I think he spent about 4 years living aboard and sailing this one.

It is true a slightly bigger boat may be way more comfortable. But 20' is OK to start with. And easy to step up at any time.

Cheers,
b.

barnakiel · 01-09-2016, 07:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by peghall

And you really think that someone who obviously has little if any knowledge and -0- previous experience owning any boat could just buy and then immediately do all that?

Do you mean fitting a marine toilet with a manual pump?

b.

leftbrainstuff · 01-09-2016, 07:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericsstinnett

I need to know if it is illegal to live on a boat with a port o potty. If so is it a huge deal to add a head? I'm about to get a boat but it like won't have a head based on my budget? Also what size sailboats have heads, 20 footers maybe?

Berkeley Marina does not consider porta potties to be a compliant marine head. It's the ability to easily remove the toilet that is the issue.

Compliant is not well defined but probably relates to how they tag the black water thru hull. On our vessel they tagged the wrong valve. I made them aware of this but they were adamant they knew best.

No discharge to the waterway is the primary requirement. I see no reason why a porta pottie can't be compliant.

Ultimately you'll be dealing with process wienies. Logic often doesn't prevail.

Other liveaboard restrictions apply. The vessel must have a minimum length. 35' in Berkeley I believe. This is done to minimize the number of liveaboard requests they have to deal with.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

peghall · 01-09-2016, 08:27

No...I mean everything "newhaul" described in his post to which I was replying.

**newhaul** · 01-09-2016, 08:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by peghall

No...I mean everything "newhaul" described in his post to which I was replying.

OK what was so difficult to do I actually got my idea on how to build the composting head off of a TV show I think it was "tiny house nation' or it may have been an episode of " treehouse masters" and the info for all of the rest that I do or did is commonly available online.

Sea Dreaming · 01-09-2016, 08:59

I was just thinking about this again and, while its clear many people would find a 20' boat to be hell, I really think that ones own experience should be your (ops) guide in deciding.
Im am not a large person and usually live very simply. I would probably get along with a 20 footer just fine. Clearly a single person wont always be on the boat and for most of us our home time doesnt require a great deal of space.
A 20 foot boat doesnt need a great deal to heat it within comfort tollerance. Depending on where the boat is kept, just making morning coffee might be enough to chase the chill.
And a single person probably will keep cooking simple.
Yes, this is a bit of boat camping but, depending on ones nature, it could be quite doable for quite some time.
For me, it would be just fine. I grew up in a house in the Colorado rockies without central heat and spent my youth camping and backpacking. A 20 footer, especially if I was in my 20s would work quite well.

But you do really have to consider who you are and go from there.

Sea Dreaming · 01-09-2016, 09:02

Oh yeah, a newbie or not, no one expects anyone to do anything "immediately". Adjusting to life aboard and figuring out what you want and how to do it takes time. Thats universal for amy new endeavor.

**newhaul** · 01-09-2016, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sea Dreaming

Oh yeah, a newbie or not, no one expects anyone to do anything "immediately". Adjusting to life aboard and figuring out what you want and how to do it takes time. Thats universal for amy new endeavor.

Hey I am a Newby

and I have been living on boats of one size or another for most of my life. Currently on a 24ft

jkindredpdx · 01-09-2016, 09:18

Here is one page about regulations that I found during my studies: USCG Systems Engineering Division (CG-ENG-3). Also search composting toilets on CF and you'll find quite a few threads. I think the issue with a porta-potty is the smell of the Poo Urine mixture... that's the main reason for a "urine separating composting head", which just means the urine and poo go in separate containers. Many will say marine heads can't be truly composting, but the poo bucket is desiccating. FWIW I have a couple posts on the blog below about my no power inexpensive DIY urine separating toilet for a cramped space. It is roughly based on the C-head C-Head portable composting toilet system. From my experience the urine container needs to be emptied much more often than the Poo bucket. As for the size of your sailboat, I'd recommend 27+ feet for liveaboard, but everyone has different wants, needs, and desires. A boom tent or cockpit enclosure will enlarge your home. I spend much time in my full enclosure cockpit rain or shine... good luck, have fun.

SaltyMonkey · 01-09-2016, 09:21

You dont need a holding tank for a potty. But you do need to seal the valve to prove it unopened in port.

redhead · 01-09-2016, 09:36

Again, regional answers.

In our marina in NW Washington, the state granted and installed "Porta Potty Cleanout Stations" We have 3 in our marina. Big decals saying a gift from the state of WA. We also have a 25' minimum on liveaboards.

I don't believe any one answer will be correct. As usual.

Defeverboat · 01-09-2016, 09:45

I have a air head on my trawler best investment I have made. The others vacuflush,jabs electric break down. It is learning curve for some but people learn. If you think about the parts you have to buy to repair and down TIME it's cheap!I have the best!