The Boat Guy: Making Your Head a More Pleasant Experience – Part 2
by Marc Robic
If you missed Part 1, go here
Upgrading to the power option
A few years ago, I got tired of the manual process and having to explain it to guests. So, I switched to an electric toilet and have never been happier. Two simple buttons operation, super easy to explain and no more worries if it has been pumped enough times or clogging, thanks to its own built-in macerator breaking down all the material and pumping it to the holding tank.
In my case, Since I had a Jabsco manual toilet and after much research on various brands, models and options, I opted for the Jabsco Lite Flush electric toilet. It was an easy switch as it uses the same foot print and screw down holes as the manual one.
I repurposed the nearby 12 volts / 35-amp macerator wiring to power the toilet.
Clean and fresh is best
A great habit to get into and a big help in preventing or at least minimizing smell, is to add fresh water to the bowl after each use or at the end of the day before leaving the boat.
Keep in mind, that the real and biggest cause of smelly heads is actually not the human waste, but the water we pump in to flush. Lake water for example, has millions of living organicisms, keeping our lakes and streams clean and healthy. But, once pumped into our toilet and directed to the holding tank, these organicism die and start to decompose, emanating that terrible smell out through the holding tank vent and toilet water inlet.
BTW, if you’re pumping in salt water, you have other issues to deal with such as hose degradation and clogging caused by the salt calcium build up which will slowly reduce the inside diameter. If not cleared regularly, via the intake thru hull, the overall performance of the head will degrade as well. Also, since most boats in saltwater pump their waste overboard, clearing out the output thru hull should also be a regular maintenance. Basically, an easy 30 second task that can be performed whenever you go swimming!
Beside regular holding tank pumpouts and flushes, one solution we now see more and more on many boats is a dedicated freshwater tank used to flush the toilet. As potable fresh water is treated, the impact is almost zero on holding tank smells. Depending on your boat, this can be an easy installation and game changer.
Many owners install an extra bladder style tank under the V-berth then install the fill fitting near or inside the anchor well. Removing the rubber O-ring on the fill cap will allow it to vent and let air in as the toilet pulls water in. Of course, adding a legit vent will improve efficiency.
Marc Robic – The Boat Guy – Marc is a member of BoatCan who, with his wife, sails their Catalina 270, Aquaholic 3, out of the Ile-Perrot Yacht Club in Montreal, where Marc spent 16 years as Harbour Master. They are also regular Caribbean bareboat yacht charterers.
With over 40-years experience on boats, Marc is our OnBoard do-it-yourselfer.
