Porta Potti, any suggestions

Walt C · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 2:14 am Post subject: Porta Potti, any suggestions

I hesitate to bring up a crappie subject, but I could use your experience on purchasing a porta potti to use on a 22 C-Dory cruiser. Looking at a Thetford 260P or 260P MSD. The 260p has a holding tank and the 260P MSD is equipped to be vacuumed out.
Is it legal to use either of these in British Columbia coastal waters? I just purchased a 2012 cruiser and in the process of outfitting the boat.
I have never cruised the Pudget Sound area and I'll need your help on other subjects in the future.

Casey · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 6:59 am Post subject:

We have done quite a lot of cruising with a standard porta-potty (one not rigged for a pump-out) and it has worked fine. We find it easier to use a regular toilet for dumping than search for a pump-out station or vessel.

I don't know what the BC reg's regarding porta-potties, but it has never been an issue for us.

One item I would suggest is that you make sure that whatever porta-potty you buy fits in the appropriate space. On our boat there is a wooden cover over the space (between the bunks) where we keep the porta-potty so height was a concern. The inclination is to get one with a larger holding capacity. Beware of that. Larger capacity means the device may be higher than your space can accommodate. It also means the holding tank will probably be heavier when you're trying to move it or carry it around ... and you CERTAINLY don't want to drop it! Smile

Best,
C&M

Lost Petrel · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:13 am Post subject:

A self dump porta potti will currently suffice in British Columbia waters, though not in the Great Lakes Canadian waters.
My C-Dory is strictly pump out, but I have installed an MSD in another boat that can be pumped or emptied by hand. Given that regulations can change I thought that was the prudent thing to do for future sailing in B.C.

dotnmarty · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:43 am Post subject:

On our 16 footer we used a taller Thetford. It was much more convenient for our late 70's bodies. We had a nice cover made for it with a cushion top and was a comfortable seat for our passenger.

Aurelia · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 10:21 am Post subject:

Measuring the space would be a good plan to see what models you can fit in there. We go with the largest we can fit to increase our number of days use before needing to be emptied. We find the 5gal models last us over a week of steady use for two girls on board. The smaller model was sometimes reaching capacity over an extended weekend and that was an inconvenience for us. The Dometic 975 fit in our berth space on the 19 just fine and is our second time owning that unit. We were very happy with the compressed air flush and emptying procedure.

Greg

colbysmith · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:04 pm Post subject:

My CD-22 has just the standard porta potty. My boat before, a Searay 268 Sundancer, had the convertible porta potty. Could be pumped out, or carried out. I found I still carried that out the majority of the time, as pump out stations were not always available, and those at marina's were pricey. Then with the pump out, you also have the issue with the drain hose. One definite advantage however with the convertible toilet, since it also had a vent hose hookup, I never got "sprayed" when I opened the flush valve on a hot day.... Angry

Colby

Will-C · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:46 pm Post subject: Porta Potti, any suggestions

Our boat came with a portapotty with a 2.5 gallon holding tank. Running out of holding tank room can be a problem depending on how you cruise. Been there done that. We opted for a 5 gallon model which still fits where the original did. We use the Thetford Aqua clean Toss Ins for the deodorant as it is easy to use just drop one in the holding tank. Better than the liquid stuff for us anyway. If your worried about extra weight empty it sooner. It's mainly used by my wife except in a deuce emergency by myself. I urinate in a 1/2 gallon orange juice container. I empty it when I go to the shower. I dump it in a toilet and rinse it out. I use a little mouthwash for deodorant after rinsing it out. I always have some of that. While I'm sure some will find this a little crude it cuts down on the pressure of filling up the P.P. too fast. Lots of folks just dump urine over board one way or another. I do my best to avoid it as were we cruise we hope to leave it as we found it. A small part to help save the environment.. It's sunny and 67 degrees right now in the Florida keys.
D.D.

thataway · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 6:00 pm Post subject:

Lost Petrel · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 6:16 pm Post subject:

That is a good question Bob. The official regulation is it has to be secured (ie no picking up and dumping) and any thru hull discharge has to be locked. Of course you know there are boats that go up with porta pottis. I will ask on another small sailboat forum, though I know I will catch hell from a Canadian there for even suggesting the flaunting of the rules Wink

Tim

Will-C · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 6:59 pm Post subject: Porta Potti, any suggestions

I think the porty potty thing up in Canada is like don't ask don't tell. I mean really what is next; they outlaw buckets? We traveled to Canada a number of times and it has never come up. I tore the tag off my mattress that said don't remove under penalty of the law. I'm still on the loose. I would avoid dumping a porta potty in front of anybody who looks like they might be connected the Royal Mounted Police. Have fun being an outlaw.
D.D.

journey on · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:27 pm Post subject:

BC, Canada in general doesn't have pump-out stations and the ones you find are difficult to use/get to, etc. The most expensive marina we found was in Gorge Harbour, and they wanted a fairly stiff additional price to use their pump out. When we were in the Canadian side of the Great Lakes, I never saw a pump-out. Just my experience; they may be there by the dozens, but I didn't find them. I'm not asking anyone to break the law by picking up the porta-potty and dumping it in a loo, but the alternative is to save it until one returns to or goes to the USA. Not a clue what Canadian boaters do.

When we checked in at Pt Roberts, there was a working pump out at the check in dock. Thrilled to use it.

And by the way, in BC, Mexico there's also a paucity of pump-outs.

Boris

ghone · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:37 pm Post subject:

In BC we have to hold in any Marine Park or restricted waterway. It is legal to empty at least 1 mile from any shore. Areas with more current preferred. We find keeping the potty in the cockpit with a house shower curtain snapped to the Bimini frame for privacy works way better than having it in the cabin. Pump outs are few, but most marinas are fine with emptying into shore toilets. We use the standard potty. In the Great Lakes I've heard conflicting stories about potty use. As usual it may depend on the inspecting person. I intend to cruise the Great Lake area with a potty on board.
George

ghone · Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2015 7:51 pm Post subject:

Looking further into Ontario laws at least it says portable toilets are illegal. It appears that people are using the msd versions of portable toilets and fitting a deck pumpout. They then make sure the toilet is unable to be dumped by bolting it down and making all the parts integral to hold sewage. Ontario has seen a decline in visiting boats. Duh.
If I was going to be in Ontario a lot I would contact the provincial authorities thru perhaps a local Power Squadron or Yacht Club and get the real scoop.