Boat Guy Feedback: Comments re Using Your Head

August 13, 2026

Dear Marc:

I have just read your part 2 on smelly heads.  We recently spent $1200 to get all our lines to and from the electric head replaced.  Could you please tell me how to clear the lines of ‘salt’ crystals “  If not cleared regularly, via the intake thru hull,”

Also how to clean the output line as suggested.

Thank you for your reply.

B McGill

Yeah, saltwater can be a pain and does require regular maintenance on many items on a boat.

As for the head system, using white vinegar or cleaning grade vinegar will dissolve salt and calcium build up. Flush some via the toilet on a regular basis will help prevent the build-up.

Start by flushing some into the head, then let it stand for a day before using the head again.

Marc ROBIC

Hi Marc,

Good article except for your saying that,

“….Also, since most boats in saltwater pump their waste overboard,…..”

This is simply not true, at least here on the west coast. ALL vessels that I know have holding tanks. If there are any out there that do not have a holding tank, they are not in compliance with the law. 

Those holding tanks can be emptied at most marinas via a dockside extraction system and piped into the local sewage system. Here in the greater Victoria area, there are also boats that go around and pump out vessels holding tanks!  Sometimes for a donation! Quite the service. If not available, those tanks are allowed to be emptied if more than three nautical miles from any land and while underway. 

If there are any salt deposits, a small amount of ‘Saltaway’ will solve the problem. However, in 60 years of boating on the west coast, and having manual heads on all vessels, salt clogging the intake or discharge pipe has never been an issue. However, as you suggest, we have always flushed with fresh water at the end of each day!  Maybe that’s why no salt build-up!

Calm Seas, light winds

Peter Simpson

Brentwood Bay, BC.

Hi Peter and thanks for your email and comments. I really appreciate that.

As for my statement, regarding boats in salt water flushing overboard, you are correct that most salt water boats in Canada, must have holding tanks and can not flush over board unless out “at sea, basically in international waters (kind of).😊

However, this is not true worldwide. As an example, most personal non-commercial boats in the Caribbean, unfortunately, do not have holding tanks. Believe me, I wish they did, especially when anchored in a quiet bay!

Saltaway is a great product for sure. White vinegar also works beautifully. But, as you say, more importantly, regular pump outs and fresh water flushes are really the best behaviour to adopt!

Marc

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