Visit our Popular Forums

**sailorchic34** · 06-06-2015, 15:39

So I have a toilet plunger on the boat. Actually I have several. I would not leave the dock with out a few.

Pretty much everyone knows that a toilet plunger and a bucket makes a passable clothes washer. There are however several other areas where the plumbers friend comes in handy for the sailor.

First, you can use it as a hand hold while cleaning the boats hull. Just press it to the hull and slide it about. Though I found out that a lanyard is highly recommended as one of mine did not float. Chants were said...

Second I use one to clean out clogged cockpit scuppers of hair, and other "stuff" It does yomens work. Works far better then any other method I've tried. I did that today, which is where the idea (be it good or bad) came for this post.

Last but farrrr from least, you CAN use it to clear a blockage in a manual head. To do so, you need to set the head pump lever to the top of the upstroke. then making sure there is some fluid in the bowl, gently and I really can not stress this enough, Gently, plunge the bowl.

Gently, as a too forceful action, will result in a unpleasant er, backflow and will generally make a bit of a mess of things. Repeat till the stoppage is cleared. I find it helpful to say chants while plunging, generally with chants with four letter words. Specially if too much force is used.

I've been successful cleared several stoppages over the years in the marina head with a plunger.

belizesailor · 06-06-2015, 15:55

Yes, I have a plunger aboard too. Lots of uses.

A plumbing snake can be handy too. Good for clearing clogged air con water lines.

**sailorchic34** · 06-06-2015, 16:17

I have a plumber snake also . also good for cleaning out drains and running a new line Brown the boom

DeepFrz · 06-06-2015, 16:54

Brown the boom. Norton throw the plumbers helper at the mast?

**Jim Cate** · 06-06-2015, 18:19

They can also be used to cover the area of a through hull as a temporary seal whilst replacing valves or other bits. i even know one (brave) chap who cut the hole for and installed a depth transducer whilst afloat, using a diver to hold the PH against the hull. Madness, but it worked. Doubtless chants were involved...

Jim

FSMike · 06-06-2015, 18:32

I don't think it would work well on a composting head though lol.

senormechanico · 06-06-2015, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

They can also be used to cover the area of a through hull as a temporary seal whilst replacing valves or other bits. i even know one (brave) chap who cut the hole for and installed a depth transducer whilst afloat, using a diver to hold the PH against the hull. Madness, but it worked. Doubtless chants were involved...

Jim

Whoa ! And I thought I was brave drilling a hole for a keel cooler on a tide grid.

HopCar · 06-06-2015, 21:19

Fsmike for a composting head you need a kitty litter scoop.

wooden head · 07-06-2015, 01:23

I can't get my apprentice to do any of that except clearing the head. I guess my plumber's helper is just too demanding

wooden head · 07-06-2015, 01:25

For clearing the head a rocking motion helps as does a strong pull stroke. Sometimes if you can't push it through you can pull it back and either remove manually or break up and wash down.

fstbttms · 07-06-2015, 07:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

...you can use it as a hand hold while cleaning the boats hull. Just press it to the hull and slide it about. Though I found out that a lanyard is highly recommended as one of mine did not float.

jkindredpdx · 07-06-2015, 12:20

nice thread... someone recently said every tool on board must have at least two uses. When I installed my composting toilet, I threw away the plunger. Now I can buy a shiny new one.