Winter musings on the Porta Potty

Sunbeam":2b7cs093 said:
.....
The other potential concern I had is weight on an un-cored and un-bunk-supported part of the bow when trailering (with water in the tank). ....

Sunbeam
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I think it would be pretty easy to put a small bunk or extra roller on the trailer to support that area of the hull if you felt it was necessary. It would only take a few parts from any trailer supply place.

Although I haven't done much overnighting yet, from what I read you probably wouldn't want to have water in the tank (whatever it was made from ) for long periods anyway (it gets funky). Since my boat is likely to be stored away from my home I think I would not be leaving water sitting in the tank. If we were going out for awhile, I'd fill the tank before we left the dock and drain any remainder when we got back. The guy who had the boat before me installed an electric pump for draining the tank in a reasonable amount of time. It can also be used as a washdown.

I was wondering how I was going to get 20 gallons of water to the boat before we went out. Some places we launch from don't have water at the docks. If I relocate the water tank and replace it with a bladder, I'll have a convenient container for moving water to the boat from home. Just need to get a transfer pump.
 
On our last full week trip on Powell, we used less than 5 total gallons of water. I've seriously thought about taking two of the 5 gallon jugs and using those as portables for water after removing the installed tank. I can be sure that they are clean and drinkable whereas with my permanent water tank, I just don't trust the water for drinking, no matter how much I treat it. So, in our fresh water adventures, which represent all that we have done so far, the few gallons of water we've used from the installed water tank have been for washing a few dishes and washing hands. We use lake water for showers. Permanent water tanks may be over rated for fresh water boating.
 
potter water":w3vwv1ny said:
I've seriously thought about... using ... portables for water after removing the installed tank. I can be sure that they are clean and drinkable whereas with my permanent water tank, I just don't trust the water for drinking, no matter how much I treat it.
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Just as another option, you can install a clean-out port in the/a freshwater tank so that it can be cleaned. However, I take your point on potentially not needing as much capacity in fresh water boating. One reason I would want more capacity is for rinsing off after swimming in salt water.
 
Yes, salt water presents a bigger challenge for carrying adequate fresh water. But the sailors forums say you can skimp a pretty decent fresh water rinse with a quart to a half gallon or so depending on long or short hairdos.
 
potter water":1qzuwt0y said:
Yes, salt water presents a bigger challenge for carrying adequate fresh water. But the sailors forums say you can skimp a pretty decent fresh water rinse with a quart to a half gallon or so depending on long or short hairdos.
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That is true. When you have a long way to go, and only 70 gallons or so of water (or less, depending on the boat), you have to be pretty careful with it. One habit I think I'll carry over to the C-Dory is using a garden sprayer for rinsing off. They are fairly parsimonious with the water and very effective (the pressurized air seems to help the water "blow off" the soap, salt, etc.). My boat already has the foot pump (Baby Whale) which also helps.

Still, I've been debating installing a slightly larger tank. The one that came stock in my boat was 17-18 gallons, and I could easily fit an off-the-shelf tank of 27 or 28 gallons if I stick to the stock location (or either a bit more or a bit more space efficiently if going with a custom tank). I imagine it providing a more "relaxing" feel as far as water usage. But I'm still pondering both size and location.

Sunbeam
 
It is nice to have water in a tank. We have intentionally stayed with the "hand or foot" pump on the C Dory, and it makes conservation much easier. We did a 15 day voyage with 10 aboard a 55 foot sailboat and 50 gallons of water--we still had about 5 gallons when we arrived in Honolulu.

I grew up on a 26 foot sailboat where the "water tanks" were 1 gallon bleach bottles. You can use salt water for bathing, washing dishes and cooking if necessary. The reason we had purchased extra water tanks for C Dories would be for a trip to the Bahamas, where water is in short supply. Another place would be mainland Mexico, unless I could get RO water at a marina or hotel. We don't drink beverages with ice in them in many countries. (Ice is to put dead fish on...!)
 
potter water":fbm31hf7 said:
Yes, salt water presents a bigger challenge for carrying adequate fresh water. But the sailors forums say you can skimp a pretty decent fresh water rinse with a quart to a half gallon or so depending on long or short hairdos.
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OTOH, some of us could get by with a wet paper towell... :roll:

Charlie
 
I'm not understanding the problem with a portapottie. I like the simpicity of it. If I thought I needed a shower and a flushing toliet I would buy a bigger boat. We got rid of the standard porta pottie that came with the boat which only had a 2.5 gallon holding tank and bought one with a 5 gallon holding tank. Still only 16.5 inches tall. It stays under the bunk. I usually use a old 1/2 gallon juice container with a screw on lid to weez into. I dump it everyday when I take a shower. We only use our P.P. for a number two in an emergency. But we just put up the rear privacy curtain on the back door and pull it out and use it and close it back up when your done and shove it back under the bunk. We use anti stink tablets it does smell at all. My wife can get up in the middle of the night pull it out take care of business and shove it back under the bunk with out waking me up. I don't understand all the fuss. It seems simple enough for us. We live on the boat for up to a month at a time so its not like we never use the porta potty. We do get off the boat for showers almost daily. As for the water tank we like to keep no less than a half tank. We do dishes and we have a T that goes to a spigot in the cockit with a coiled hose. If we anchor out I'll use it to rinse off the windows,wash off the anchor if need be and rinse off motor and even flush the motor while it's tilted out of the water.I also use it to rinse off after swimming and always use it when we put the boat back on the trailer to flush the motor and rinse off the trailer and the brakes,wash off a scum line while it's still wet. When we trailer this makes for an almost empty water tank. We are rarely ever in fresh water. To each his own but we like simple. We always carry separate drinking water in gallon jugs.
D.D.
 
You are lucky to be a sound sleeper. But with my wife and I both turning 69 this year, we are finding it harder to be bending, lifting and pulling things around. We can still do it, but if there is a decent alternative, then we want to look into it. We want to be C-Dorying for as many years as possible and that means anticipating how nimble we may be a few years from now. Better to be making those changes now while we have the health and energy in preparation for those years when we may not be quite as able. I think the idea of the larger holding tank potty is a good one. What is the make and model of the one you've gotten?
 
Potter Water,
If you have trouble bending over how are you going engineer the stand up porta pottie? I guess that will be a two man operation. :P
Our porta pottie with the 5 gallon holding tank came from Defender Marine's site. WWW.defender.com If you go to plumbing,then toliets, then porta potties. It's a SeaLand Dometic model 965. I think it is only 15.5 inches tall. Currently sells for $117.99 or you could spring for its brother which can be pumped out as it is supplied with pumpout fittings that is model 965MSD sells for $134.00. Good luck with the funky chicken and dropping the kids off at the pool. :)
D.D.
 
D.D. on Will-C,

You have said exactly what I was thinking. But while I was scratching my head, you wrote it down most eloquently.

Martin.
 
Bridma,
First of all; thanks, Some people, (not many) have said that I was a gifted writer. While offensive to some, I do try to be funny. :mrgreen:
D.D.
 
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