Stuff for the boat

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

We were able to view the Natures Head a the St Pete Boat Show & the quality was first rate. It was the placement of the stir on the side that killed that one for us because our head is in the bow. Regarding capacity the C-Head uses a 5 gallon bucket for solids so it's pretty big. I think it's the liquid capacity you're talking about. The C-Head uses gallon milk jugs which are half the capacity of the Natures Head. Pretty easy to store or dump though. Just lift the lid & pull it out. I think the main thing is to get whichever unit fits your space best.

Yes, the urine bottle on the NH is 2.2 gallons. We usually empty every two to three days, depending on how much beer is being consumed . I’m not sure what the spec on the main tank is, but it’s certainly bigger than 5 gallons. We usually go four to six weeks between emptying on the NH (two adults, full time). In other composting head threads folks with CH report emptying every two to three weeks. Is this what you get Scout?

I really like the C-head for its use of standard jugs, and its general aesthetics. It looks easier to empty the main compartment compared to my NH. But all three (NH, AH and CH) basically work the same way, and all work well.

[JPA Cate]

Where ashore do you dispose of the urine, and the dessicated faeces? [Many of the places we go are pretty citified, and public toilets, few and far between.]

[Scout 30]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Yes, the urine bottle on the NH is 2.2 gallons. We usually empty every two to three days, depending on how much beer is being consumed . I’m not sure what the spec on the main tank is, but it’s certainly bigger than 5 gallons. We usually go four to six weeks between emptying on the NH (two adults, full time). In other composting head threads folks with CH report emptying every two to three weeks. Is this what you get Scout?

I really like the C-head for its use of standard jugs, and its general aesthetics. It looks easier to empty the main compartment compared to my NH. But all three (NH, AH and CH) basically work the same way, and all work well.

We still work full time so we just do relatively short trips. I just empty it when we get back which is really easy. The top is hinged so you just lift it up & pull out the bucket & jug. It also comes with a special vented lid that fits a standard 5 gallon bucket that can be used for compost storage.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate

Where ashore do you dispose of the urine, and the dessicated faeces? [Many of the places we go are pretty citified, and public toilets, few and far between.]

Urine usually goes over the side (it is sterile), but if we’re in a marina I’ll often just pour it down the land head. In dense urban areas solids get bagged and dumped in garbage bin. It’s not my preferred choice, but it’s a lot less problematic than used diapers or feminine hygiene products.

[Scout 30]

Our dock is at our home so we just dump it in a compost bin to finish the process. At a marina we do the same as Mike. At that point what's in the bucket just looks & smells like dirt.

[Boulter]

Regarding boat parts, I am not as far north as Lake Superior, but pretty much in the same boat. Nearest outfit is about 180km one way, Marine Outfitters in Kingston.

So other than opportunistic visits because I am near a store anyhow, it is mail order all the way.

I tend to buy extra parts and parts that look interesting or might be useful one day, especially on stuff under $30 or so. This is expensive and my inventory is well into 4 figures, but getting anything shipped from Canada is a week and $20 or $30 shipping, USA two weeks and $100.

I usually do one order a year with Defender, as they are vastly cheaper on some things, and have just a much wider product selection.

My rule of thumb is that a USA supplier has to be 20% cheaper than a Canadian supplier converted to Canadian funds as UPS is brilliant at taking the savings for themselves, their costing model is tantamount to a tax. I always try to ship USPS, but most often I am stuck with UPS.

I have done mail order with Marine Outfitters and Holland Marine, and I have been in those two locations, plus the Chandlery in Ottawa, the Rigging Shoppe, and two outfits in Hamilton whose names escape me and are within walking distance of Macassa Bay YC.

Boulter

[hugosalt]

Take a vacation later part of march to Defender warehouse sale.
Located close to Rhode Island border in Conn. (new London area)
Thinking about 600 a mile drive or short flight.
I go approx. every other year. 100 mile drive. If Mrs. comes, several casinos close by
with hotel, shopping$$, restaurants. And never a question how much I spend as
I always have something to show for $ spent at Defender, her not so much after gambling.
About 10% discount off their pricing.
Go on Thursday, not as crowded as Fri./weekend.
Thinking 100,000 sq. ft., their whole warehouse is converted to display.
Sailors as far away as Europe come to buy, outfit, incorporating into time in US.
Boston, New York each less than (think) 100 miles away.
Just saying...

[Geek_Guy]

It's funny cause I feel the same way but am in Florida. We have West Marine close but it's become a water sports store. I think there are places in South Florida but I end up with Defender much of the time as well.

I wonder if much of the issue is that sailing is on the downswing and there's plenty more money to be had with the other water sports. Frankly I suspect that those 'other' water activities are used by people that tend to throw more money at them than many of us cheapie sailors. I had a marina manager tell me that he really didn't want me because sailors expect everything for cheap.

[Tetepare]

I can't speak for composting heads, but if you want to see an expose of products you'll have to attend a "real" boat show- Annapolis, Miami, St. Pete, etc.

Noting that these are pre/post season events (ie when our northern boats are out of the water), this is intentional. They are destination events to give us something to do!

Aside from seeing the range of products, the boat shows are great for special deals. Also, I find gadgets and new ways of doing things at boat shows- those little things that make life aboard that much easier.

Once armed with what you want, it's easy to get stuff- West Marine, Defender, etc. Common stuff like West System comes in two days, free shipping from Amazon. Having a Catalina, I've had great success with Catalina Direct (they might have premium prices, but at least they have it!)

There is a West Marine in Oakville, not far from you. I'm sure you know that. If you are in the business you want a West Marine "Port Supply" account which gives you a significant discount.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Boulter

My rule of thumb is that a USA supplier has to be 20% cheaper than a Canadian supplier converted to Canadian funds as UPS is brilliant at taking the savings for themselves, their costing model is tantamount to a tax. I always try to ship USPS, but most often I am stuck with UPS.

I have done mail order with Marine Outfitters and Holland Marine, and I have been in those two locations, plus the Chandlery in Ottawa, the Rigging Shoppe, and two outfits in Hamilton whose names escape me and are within walking distance of Macassa Bay YC.

Good suggestions . I’d add Binnacle.ca as a good Canadian online source (and real store if you’re in Halifax). And BLYachts.ca in Quebec. Another excellent Canadian online/physical retailer. I’ve found some amazing prices on some items at BL.

One thing I try and do when online shopping across the border is ask for delivery by USPS. It might take a bit longer, but they don’t charge exorbitant and uncontrollable (and usually unfathomable) “brokerage fees;” just HST to GST/PST (which is legally necessary anyway). Some big stores won’t let you change from their default courier, but with smaller venders it’s rarely an issue.

Originally Posted by Tetepare

There is a West Marine in Oakville, not far from you. I'm sure you know that. If you are in the business you want a West Marine "Port Supply" account which gives you a significant discount.

I would love to go to the Annapolis Boat Show. It sounds like sailing nirvana. I’ve heard good things about the strictly sail show in Chicago as well.

I though West Marine shut all it’s retail stores in Canada a few years ago? I used to frequent the Queen Quay store since I had work right around the corner. Rarely bought from there (prices too high, staff often quite clueless), but it was nice to get touchy-feely with some of the items.

[SuW]

Originally Posted by Igotnuthin

I am currently refitting my boat. I repair boats for a living up here in Hamilton Ontario. I understand we have a SHORT boating season here and so it is difficult for marine supply companies.
However boats DO get refitted and repaired here and it's really difficult to find stuff. For instance, besides other stuff, I would like to check out composting heads. Tell me, how? Where?
...
So, people from up here, if you want to buy something for your boat, what do you do?

Well you're not far from the border with the US. Perhaps you already have a mailbox there? If not there are a couple of Kinek stores in Niagara Falls. (We use one in Ogdensburg).

We order most of our boat gear online and pick parcels up from the US Kinek store when they send us a text message/email. There are many other mail services in border towns.

We bought a Nature's Head after borrowing one for a month from a friend and using it in out house. I had been skeptical but it worked very well.

For fasteners we like Albany County Fasteners. We drive an hour to the Chandlery in Ottawa for paint and other stuff (you can order online and pickup at the store or they will mail stuff).

As other people have said, we use Defender and Amazon.com and Amazon.ca, or Ebay if there is a specific project (we wired up our radar to the display unit with a 50' wire that was being sold as scrap).

[Simply Sailing]

While we're plugging (hehe) composting toilets, let me just say I love our Air Head. Over 6 years and we'll never go back to a conventional marine head. Here's a piece I wrote for Good Old Boat years ago: Simply Sailing Online