Compostable Head Installation in Vancouver, BC

[ShaktiGurl]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

This might be just for you! It will still stink though...unless you convert it over to dry composting head.

LoL @ Ocean Girl!

Ah, it is no big deal Teknav! Live aboard is a little different than vacationing and living a little "rough" is not much of a problem for me.

[ElGatoGordo]

Here's my experience:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ad-104810.html

Working out the urine going overboard when it's appropriate has been my best idea.

[Teknav]

Hiya Mari! Good point that I am not on a live-aboard; it's not for everyone. I'm sure that it does have its merits though; I can't think of any at the moment. While I was a college kid in the 70s, I used to go camping/roughing it in a two-person tent; not anymore. I went on many trips, as a teen, up and down the Nile river in Egypt. At times I was on Feluccas, other times on large house-boats known as "Dahabia" <dah-hah-beyah> (Arabic - made of gold/luxurious boat). The Feluccas were rough, when it came to using the head (covered bucket) facility, but in the Dahabia it was like an Airstream's bath room. As time progressed, I wanted a little bit more of comfort rather than sacrificing it. You only live once...why not live it to the max?

Mauritz

[Ocean Girl]

Originally Posted by ElGatoGordo

Here's my experience:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ad-104810.html

Working out the urine going overboard when it's appropriate has been my best idea.

Yes, you are my idol, when it ones to dry composting heads

[dugout]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Hiya Mari! Good point that I am not on a live-aboard; it's not for everyone. I'm sure that it does have its merits though; I can't think of any at the moment. While I was a college kid in the 70s, I used to go camping/roughing it in a two-person tent; not anymore. I went on many trips, as a teen, up and down the Nile river in Egypt. At times I was on Feluccas, other times on large house-boats known as "Dahabia" <dah-hah-beyah> (Arabic - made of gold/luxurious boat). The Feluccas were rough, when it came to using the head (covered bucket) facility, but in the Dahabia it was like an Airstream's bath room. As time progressed, I wanted a little bit more of comfort rather than sacrificing it. You only live once...why not live it to the max?

Mauritz

Teknav;
I thought as you do. A couple years ago I went with a group Dove and Duck hunting in Argentina. We stayed in a nice lodge, linen tablecloths, gourmet meals, each of us had an "attendant" while we were there to tend to our needs, clean our guns, clean the game... You get the picture.
The facilities in the bathrooms were Airheads, even though everything else was as you would expect, hot and cold sink, shower, etc. I was shocked. After five days I came away with a new understanding and appreciation of composting toilets and I have to say they are wonderful devices. There is no smell or ugliness; none. Just the aroma of the organic material which is far better than most "air fresheners". It is truly counter intuitive. It just needs to be experienced.

[Teknav]

Hiya Dugout! Thanks for the heads-up! Just the thought of ANYTHING composting makes me cringe. Like I said, this lifestyle is not for everyone. Once you get used to a level of comfort, it is very difficult to look at others with an open mind/nostril. When cruising the sevens seas, I prefer a head that flushes into the ocean; press a lever, and everything is overboard. I do realize that some folks have to make some choices once they picked a lifestyle; I am not knocking anyone down, for doing so. While you bring-in some merits to composting, I'll just have to pass. I'd like, someday to visit a few live-aboard from here, but I'll worry about the details when the time comes; there are many nice folks on CF that I'd like to meet and spend some sailing/cruising time with. Sail away and have a ball!

Mauritz
Western Australia next year!

[Ocean Girl]

Mauritz, you can have a ride aboard Rain Dog, and we can get a ride aboard your sea plane
Just be sure to use the land facilities before we shove off

[Teknav]

Hiya Ocean! What a sweet deal!

Mauritz
Western Australia next year!

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by ElGatoGordo

Here's my experience:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ad-104810.html

Working out the urine going overboard when it's appropriate has been my best idea.

I was happy to read 8:1 dilution makes the urine ok for a garden... I figure that makes 8M:1 pretty appropriate.

[Tom Hildebrandt]

I have lived on board my 40 foot Radford for almost 13 years and have sailed from Australia to the Caribbean with a direct discharge Jabsco toilet. Not legal in many places , but no problems, no smell, but rebuilt seals and such every year. Back into the US, I needed to comply with regs, so I installed a holding tank, took about two days of work to install plumbing and tank, all at a cost. This experiment lasted about two months, smells just literally drove me out of the boat. Always looking for a pump out facility also was an irritant.

I then bought a Natures Head. Took about 2 hours to remove all the plumbing, about 15 minutes to install the new toilet ( I ran the vent through an existing dorade). No smells, no through hulls, and nothing really to break or clog. I regained valuable storage space.

It takes about 15 minutes to empty and clean the composting chamber, (once a month if there are guests or every two to three months if I am solo) and with guests, I empty the urine every other day, takes maybe three minutes.

I am only surprised that every world class cruising boat is not going this route of simplicity, less maintenance and more ecologically friendly.

I have yet had a guest complain, although my 8 year old granddaughter professed the use of the toilet to be a grand adventure!

Cheers

Tom

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by Tom Hildebrandt

... I am only surprised that every world class cruising boat is not going this route of simplicity, less maintenance and more ecologically friendly.

Cheers

Tom

I think we'll see the day when that will be the case. I read years ago in reference to recycling that it only takes 10% of the population to accept an idea for it to reach critical mass. I'd say we reached critical mass on that one.

Gotta go. . . need to refine the design of my custom install of a urine separating composting toilet

[ElGatoGordo]

I'm already designing an install on a trailer boat I haven't decided to buy lol

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by ElGatoGordo

I'm already designing an install on a trailer boat I haven't decided to buy lol

To Stir or Not to Stir... That is my question?

[ElGatoGordo]

I'm a non-stir guy. So far anyway. I've had several high use months where it was then left a month or 2 without issue. But I may just be lucky.

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by ElGatoGordo

I'm a non-stir guy. So far anyway. I've had several high use months where it was then left a month or 2 without issue. But I may just be lucky.

I'm pulling my old head this weekend. Most parts are purchased. And I'm hoping for initial assembly. I think a stirrer if any will be a refinement,.. Although I do have a very groovy idea . My total cost estimate is ~$140.