Porta Potty or Bucket - Regulations ?

[Greenman]

I am going to convert my MSD Porta Potti into a composter. I like the idea of a bucket for dudes, we can pee anywhere, even sinks. However, I cannot think of a really easy way to redirect the flow for the boss. My porta potti already has a sliding seal, so I am going to put a drain just ahead of that, redirecting the liquid. The hloding tank is just over 5 gallons, so not that far off the other commercially available composters. It already has a vent, I just need to figure out how to occasionaly stir the substrate. I doubt I will have a problem thinking of something.

If I think the composter is the way to go after a season, I will shell out the BOAT buck for a Natures Head (I like the apparent durability of construction). I just dont want to blow a grand to find out composting sucks.

Great thread, other than the soap boxers. Thanks.

[Minggat]

I mentioned that idea here, but abandoned the idea when I remembered the "seat on a bucket" post earlier. So I'm interested in your project. As was asked of me, keep us posted.

As far as "the boss" goes, the women I've spoken with on the subject seem to be OK with the female version of the portable urnial, or a plastic milk carton cut up to do the job, with the remaining handle being a very important part of it. Not intended for any type of storage of course.

Sometimes it's hard to keep a thread like this from sounding... like anything but a bad idea. But these things work for some people. I'm sure there are some who feel otherwise. Perfectly understandable.

The truth is...in my mind.... we are making "camping" lifestyle work for us.

[wolfenzee]

best thing I have been able ti figure, even though a bucket is a legal alternative to a portapottie....the only legal way to empty it is by useing a portapottie facility. Also a bucket will not full fill the head requirements of most marinas.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

best thing I have been able ti figure, even though a bucket is a legal alternative to a portapottie....the only legal way to empty it is by useing a portapottie facility. Also a bucket will not full fill the head requirements of most marinas.

They do inspections now....

[ConradG]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

... Also a bucket will not full fill the head requirements of most marinas.

Just wondering what marinas require? I don't plan on them with any regularity but asume there will be times. My boat didn't have holding tanks and I have experienced too many "head issues" to want to go to the trouble and loss of space to install them. I pulled the flush heads out and was able to weld up a few more thru hulls. I looked into building a composter with the commercially available and relatively inexpensive urine sepperating bowls but decided to bite the bullet for the Nature's Head for several reasons. To me it is a glorified bucket, not much more. Most marinas I've seen have trash facilities and toilets. Do I need to install a dummy deck fitting to a pail of water to let them think they are pumping something out?

[wolfenzee]

A friend of mine stayed at a marina in Calif and had to borrow a portapottie while he was there. I am a live aboard in Washingtion state and we have to fill out a "head log" regularly. I just say I use the "shore head" and they are fine with that. I had a very nice "proper head" but the last owner pulled it out (and sealed the thru hull)and replaced it with a porta pottie. The old system allowed me to pump out the holding tank useing the pump in the head...but no more. I find DELO oil jugs make great pee jugs and I found an enzyme which kills all the smell.

[ConradG]

Head logs? You gotta be kidding me! I'm crackin up. Is that a description, like some kind of identification sketch or a time/date/usage sort of thing...he he he Haa ha ha. What will it come to next? texture? weight? Haa!
What a world...
Hey, interested in a blake? I think I'll keep the little lavac in case the bucket thing ("composting head") doesn't work out....
Head logs, whew, i'm rolling on the floor!

[boatman61]

Well... it is 'Arnie Country' he's talking about... anythings possible.

[Minggat]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

.....the only legal way to empty it is by useing a portapottie facility.

Such a thing exist?

My former marina put a sign in the restroom regarding no dumping porta- potties. It was part of the "clean marina act". But it was also driven by some weekender who dumped his porta potty in the marina SHOWER I was told. He was described as a health "proffesional". Nice going mental midget.

The thing that jumped out at me was that we could no longer deposit human waste in the human waste receptacle.

[wolfenzee]

Most marinas I have been in have a special place to dump portapoties, with a wash out hose etc...
I meant to say "pump-out log"

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by wolfenzee

... I find DELO oil jugs make great pee jugs and I found an enzyme which kills all the smell.

Which enzyme (product) do you recommend?

[Chief Engineer]

If you have a problem and don't want to dump oveboard

Use wagbags....a bag that has a littylitter and perfume.

we got these from West Marine

we used them in "the County" in Maine

BTW you may need more TP than is in each kit.

[Cielo e Mar]

Portable toilet
Legal on any boat.*
Does not fall under USCG regulations of MSD's.

[Cielo e Mar]

Not sure if this holds true anymore, but when I was in the USCG way back when
I was told that the Light house keepers were allowed to use a bucket (Wooden)
But that was back in 1962...Not many if any Lighthouse keepers are left.
If anyone can find this please post...
Merry Christmas to all...

[atoll]

one of the toilets on one of my yachts