head- air or lavac

Hey all! I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before I made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding tank or a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. I've heard good things about all of these units. At first I was turned off by the size and complexity of a composting head but I am warming up to the idea. I think I am leaning towards the air head. It is a bit pricey but when I consider a head/holding tank/hose/fittings, it doesn't sound all that bad. Have you guys used any the units listed? Thanks, Adam

Best thing I did was to take out the head and install a porta-potty. Get the larger one, it is easier for your guests to get on and off of. I got the 5 gallon one. Allen On Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 1:35 PM, Adam Thorp <th… [at] gmail.com> wrote: > ** > > > Hey all! > > I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to > be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. > > I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before I > made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding tank or > a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. > > I've heard good things about all of these units. At first I was turned off > by the size and complexity of a composting head but I am warming up to the > idea. I think I am leaning towards the air head. It is a bit pricey but when > I consider a head/holding tank/hose/fittings, it doesn't sound all that bad. > > Have you guys used any the units listed? > > Thanks, > Adam > > >

on various boats we have used: butthangover, bucket, portapotti, head with direct overboard discharge, head/holding tank system, and now a Natures Head composting head. The composting head is new to us and we haven't had a chance to thoroughly "use" it. However, we tired of smells, leaks, rebuilds, pumpout station searches, etc and decided to make the leap. Updates to follow if/when we ever get to go back to our boat! Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com From: th… [at] gmail.com Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:35:38 -0700 Subject: [Cal_Boats] head- air or lavac Hey all! I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before I made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding tank or a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. I've heard good things about all of these units. At first I was turned off by the size and complexity of a composting head but I am warming up to the idea. I think I am leaning towards the air head. It is a bit pricey but when I consider a head/holding tank/hose/fittings, it doesn't sound all that bad. Have you guys used any the units listed? Thanks, Adam

I don't know anything about the alternatives you are considering, but for your purpose, it seems that a 5-6 gal. capacity porta-potti (not recommending a brand) would be sufficient, as well as simpler and cheaper. Harleigh Ewell (with Raritan and holding tank on the Cal 31, which can still smell) From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Adam Thorp Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 4:36 PM To: cal_boats Subject: [Cal_Boats] head- air or lavac Hey all! I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before I made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding tank or a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. I've heard good things about all of these units. At first I was turned off by the size and complexity of a composting head but I am warming up to the idea. I think I am leaning towards the air head. It is a bit pricey but when I consider a head/holding tank/hose/fittings, it doesn't sound all that bad. Have you guys used any the units listed? Thanks, Adam

Try dating females with a head?.. then you would not need bucket! Hey all! I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore.

On 7/19/2011 4:35 PM, Adam Thorp wrote: > > Hey all! > > > I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head > seems to be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. > > I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before > I made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding > tank or a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. You didn't ask about portable toilets, but if your female guests are aboard for short-term activities like day sailing and racing, you might consider a Porta-Potti (that's the Thetford brand, I think, and there are others). They are compact and relatively inexpensive. The major drawback is holding tank capacity, so they are less well suited to longer voyages that the pricey options you mentioned. They are clean, comfortable to use, and simple. When we bought my other boat in 1969, it had an old head that pumped directly overboard. [Bizarre thought now--we just pumped our waste into the same water we swam in]. Within a couple years those were outlawed in the Great Lakes and we bought an original Thetford Porta-Potti. That was getting leaky about 15 years ago and we got another one from Sears (Thetford made it). The old one was relegated to the garage until I bought the Cal 20. I patched it up with epoxy & fiberglass and it lives on aboard the Cal 20, making the boat suitable for female company. The Thetford models use a little plastic bellows pump for fresh water fill. After a couple decades those will crack & leak. Thetford sells a replacement kit. Chris Campbell

The replacement pumps were a bit dear so I opted for a squirt bottle per the suggestion of someone on this list. I also have a gallon bottle of water and just tossing a bit of that in the bowl works fine and is actually easier than the funny built in no longer working bump. Allen On Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 12:02 PM, Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> wrote: > ** > > > ** On 7/19/2011 4:35 PM, Adam Thorp wrote: > > > > Hey all! > > I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to > be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. > > I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before I > made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding tank or > a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. > > > You didn't ask about portable toilets, but if your female guests are aboard > for short-term activities like day sailing and racing, you might consider a > Porta-Potti (that's the Thetford brand, I think, and there are others). > They are compact and relatively inexpensive. The major drawback is holding > tank capacity, so they are less well suited to longer voyages that the > pricey options you mentioned. They are clean, comfortable to use, and > simple. > > When we bought my other boat in 1969, it had an old head that pumped > directly overboard. [Bizarre thought now--we just pumped our waste into the > same water we swam in]. Within a couple years those were outlawed in the > Great Lakes and we bought an original Thetford Porta-Potti. That was > getting leaky about 15 years ago and we got another one from Sears (Thetford > made it). The old one was relegated to the garage until I bought the Cal > 20. I patched it up with epoxy & fiberglass and it lives on aboard the Cal > 20, making the boat suitable for female company. > > The Thetford models use a little plastic bellows pump for fresh water > fill. After a couple decades those will crack & leak. Thetford sells a > replacement kit. > > Chris Campbell > > >

ours with the 5 gal reservoir has been well accepted by the ladies for years. and they now have one with electric (battery) flush. Reggie To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com CC: th… [at] gmail.com From: cc… [at] lsnm.org Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:02:17 -0400 Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] head- air or lavac On 7/19/2011 4:35 PM, Adam Thorp wrote: Hey all! I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before I made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding tank or a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. You didn't ask about portable toilets, but if your female guests are aboard for short-term activities like day sailing and racing, you might consider a Porta-Potti (that's the Thetford brand, I think, and there are others). They are compact and relatively inexpensive. The major drawback is holding tank capacity, so they are less well suited to longer voyages that the pricey options you mentioned. They are clean, comfortable to use, and simple. When we bought my other boat in 1969, it had an old head that pumped directly overboard. [Bizarre thought now--we just pumped our waste into the same water we swam in]. Within a couple years those were outlawed in the Great Lakes and we bought an original Thetford Porta-Potti. That was getting leaky about 15 years ago and we got another one from Sears (Thetford made it). The old one was relegated to the garage until I bought the Cal 20. I patched it up with epoxy & fiberglass and it lives on aboard the Cal 20, making the boat suitable for female company. The Thetford models use a little plastic bellows pump for fresh water fill. After a couple decades those will crack & leak. Thetford sells a replacement kit. Chris Campbell

The 5 gallon capacity is important not so much for the capacity but because it brings the seat up to an acceptable height. the capacity is nice as well but of secondary importance. I empty mine once or twice a year. Put the blue stuff in so it won't smell. Allen On Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 2:26 PM, r good <my… [at] hotmail.com> wrote: > ** > > > ours with the 5 gal reservoir has been well accepted by the ladies for > years. and they now have one with electric (battery) flush. > Reggie > > ------------------------------ > To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com > CC: th… [at] gmail.com > From: cc… [at] lsnm.org > Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:02:17 -0400 > Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] head- air or lavac > > > On 7/19/2011 4:35 PM, Adam Thorp wrote: > > > > Hey all! > > I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to > be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. > > I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before I > made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding tank or > a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. > > > You didn't ask about portable toilets, but if your female guests are aboard > for short-term activities like day sailing and racing, you might consider a > Porta-Potti (that's the Thetford brand, I think, and there are others). > They are compact and relatively inexpensive. The major drawback is holding > tank capacity, so they are less well suited to longer voyages that the > pricey options you mentioned. They are clean, comfortable to use, and > simple. > > When we bought my other boat in 1969, it had an old head that pumped > directly overboard. [Bizarre thought now--we just pumped our waste into the > same water we swam in]. Within a couple years those were outlawed in the > Great Lakes and we bought an original Thetford Porta-Potti. That was > getting leaky about 15 years ago and we got another one from Sears (Thetford > made it). The old one was relegated to the garage until I bought the Cal > 20. I patched it up with epoxy & fiberglass and it lives on aboard the Cal > 20, making the boat suitable for female company. > > The Thetford models use a little plastic bellows pump for fresh water > fill. After a couple decades those will crack & leak. Thetford sells a > replacement kit. > > Chris Campbell > > > >

We used to hard wire these to an outlet on deck. Simple enough to do as these types are banned on the Great Lakes CDN side. So to get around the rule, and to be able to consume alcohol at anchor, you can run a standard hose to a pump out on deck. Thedford has this designed into the base. You also need a galley, which is simple. All three of my CS22's were wired this way. /ch

Greets Adam; I don't know what boat you are on, but if you go with a head, check out Wilkie's tank mod. My 29 came with this installed. If you are not racing the boat, its the most cost effective way to go as it eliminates all the silly hoses. I would make one change and that is to add an internal baffle in the tank to prevent sloshing but its not required. The PO of my boat did a further and placed two air vents across the top of the tank so it breathes nicely to the the outside. Does not impact the pump out at all. http://www.mariposasailing.com/headtext.html The most cost conscious solution is to simply hard wire a simple 5 gallon Thedford to a deck fitting. Best of both worlds if the capacity is good enough for your and its easily removed if you race. Two clips. /ch On Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 3:41 PM, Allen Edwards < al… [at] paloaltophoto.com> wrote: > > > The replacement pumps were a bit dear so I opted for a squirt bottle per > the suggestion of someone on this list. I also have a gallon bottle of > water and just tossing a bit of that in the bowl works fine and is actually > easier than the funny built in no longer working bump. > > Allen > > > On Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 12:02 PM, Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org>wrote: > >> ** >> >> >> ** On 7/19/2011 4:35 PM, Adam Thorp wrote: >> >> >> >> Hey all! >> >> I'm having trouble getting females onboard and the lack of a head seems to >> be the culprit. The bucket just isn't cutting it anymore. >> >> I've done a fair bit of research but wanted to consult the list before I >> made a decision. I am currently looking at a lavac head and holding tank or >> a composting toilet, such as the air head or nature' head. >> >> >> You didn't ask about portable toilets, but if your female guests are >> aboard for short-term activities like day sailing and racing, you might >> consider a Porta-Potti (that's the Thetford brand, I think, and there are >> others). They are compact and relatively inexpensive. The major drawback >> is holding tank capacity, so they are less well suited to longer voyages >> that the pricey options you mentioned. They are clean, comfortable to use, >> and simple. >> >> When we bought my other boat in 1969, it had an old head that pumped >> directly overboard. [Bizarre thought now--we just pumped our waste into the >> same water we swam in]. Within a couple years those were outlawed in the >> Great Lakes and we bought an original Thetford Porta-Potti. That was >> getting leaky about 15 years ago and we got another one from Sears (Thetford >> made it). The old one was relegated to the garage until I bought the Cal >> 20. I patched it up with epoxy & fiberglass and it lives on aboard the Cal >> 20, making the boat suitable for female company. >> >> The Thetford models use a little plastic bellows pump for fresh water >> fill. After a couple decades those will crack & leak. Thetford sells a >> replacement kit. >> >> Chris Campbell >> >> > > > > -- /ch

On 7/21/2011 10:42 AM, chris123 wrote: > > The PO of my boat did a further and placed two air vents across the > top of the tank so it breathes nicely to the the outside. Does not > impact the pump out at all. > Long ago in the life of this list when it was a Sailnet list, we had a rep of a boat-sewage equipment company participating. She explained that the biggest odor generator is anaerobic bacteria. The way to prevent those from multiplying was lots of air, and having two vents for cross-ventilation or flow-through ventilation was two vents. Chris Campbell

This resonates with what I have *read*. When a bit of hose isn't fully flushed, the crap sits there, blocks airflow, and the smelly anaerobic bacteria do there dirty work and the smell will permeate through the hose (no matter the quality). No first hand experience here though! On Thu, Jul 21, 2011 at 10:32 AM, Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> wrote: > ** > > > ** On 7/21/2011 10:42 AM, chris123 wrote: > > > > The PO of my boat did a further and placed two air vents across the top of > the tank so it breathes nicely to the the outside. Does not impact the pump > out at all. > > > Long ago in the life of this list when it was a Sailnet list, we had a rep > of a boat-sewage equipment company participating. She explained that the > biggest odor generator is anaerobic bacteria. The way to prevent those from > multiplying was lots of air, and having two vents for cross-ventilation or > flow-through ventilation was two vents. > > Chris Campbell > > >

That would be Peggy Hall, and she is one of the resident experts on the sailboatowners.com website. David Dobbs --- On Thu, 7/21/11, Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> wrote: From: Chris Campbell <cc… [at] lsnm.org> Subject: Re: [Cal_Boats] head- air or lavac To: "Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com" <Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com> Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 12:32 PM On 7/21/2011 10:42 AM, chris123 wrote: The PO of my boat did a further and placed two air vents across the top of the tank so it breathes nicely to the the outside. Does not impact the pump out at all. Long ago in the life of this list when it was a Sailnet list, we had a rep of a boat-sewage equipment company participating. She explained that the biggest odor generator is anaerobic bacteria. The way to prevent those from multiplying was lots of air, and having two vents for cross-ventilation or flow-through ventilation was two vents. Chris Campbell