Porta Potti

Nate Leonard · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 12:51 pm Post subject: Porta Potti

Hi all;
New to the group and new C-Dory owner - 16' 2002 cruiser. Porta Potti question before I buy one. It appears that only the smallest model (27 flush version) will fit ok in the V of the berth. Even this looks like it wants to sit at an angle as the front side looks like it will sit on the raised flooring of the wheel house and the back on the hull. I can always add something to raise the back.
I'd like to get the largest model that doesn't mess with the bunk insert. Like to hear about recommended models.
Anyway - I am certain there is plenty of experience and advice available and appreciate any replies.
I live in Central NY (Locke), near Cayuga Lake. Will be running on the Erie canal and Lake Ontario. Thinking about a September cruise on the Erie and maybe across Lake Ontario for a short look up the Rideau Canal (saving the full run on that for some time in the future). Also in the future will be the Trent-Severn canal. Lots of dreaming...

Thanks in advance,

flagold · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:02 pm Post subject:

Would this be a solution?

$28

http://www.afmo.com/Hassok_Portable_Toilet_p/218-00104.htm

lloyds · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject:

My 16' cruiser came with what has to be the smallest model of porta potti. It works okay. It sits on the floor, under the V fine. At night we take it out and put it in the cockpit. Sometimes we run with it under the motor well when I don't need the space for additional fuel. Sounds like you are in some prime cruising country. Hope to get there in a few years.

teflonmom · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:03 pm Post subject: Portapotty

Hi'
Welcome to the C-Dory world. I know you will have fun. Depending where you cruise a small potty is not a really bad thing. You will use the Erie Canal a lot and one of the best places to dump are the Jiffy Johns located at some of the locks.

The smaller tank is easy to carry to the John. We have also dumped at regular toilets many times. Just be sure you are equipped to clean up in case of a splash, i ALWAYS CARRY A BOTTLE OF WINDOW CLEANER AND A FEW PAPER TOWELS.

Another hint-- don't put paper in the head--if you didn't eat it it should not go in the head. We keep a supply of zip lock bags next to the head and just bag the paper. This makes a big difference in easy dumping.

If you desire a larger unit measure and then visit a Boat US store and buy the largest that will fit. Note we keep the filler cushion out of the berth execept when we are sleeping then the head is always ready to go.

I hope my ideas make sense to you .

Fred and Pat Red Lion, Pa.

DaveS · Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject:

Hi Nate,
When we had our 16' Cruiser the porta potti we had fit in the semi-enclosed area under the helm seat. (If was then removed when needed).

Wayne McCown · Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:43 am Post subject: My Two Cents

Nate:

I picked up this lead from your post re the Erie Canal cruise.

We have 30+ years experience with porta-pottis (we currently have three), so I thought I would jump over here and respond to your inquiry.

My wife and I regularly use a porta-potti at our cottage. We can go 2-3 weeks on one tank! So I don't believe you need the biggest you can find.

I recently traded the larger porta-potti that came with our C-Dory for the smaller (Coleman) potti we had in our cottage. It has four inches less height, and allows me headroom (at 6' tall) to sit on it in the V-berth (see photo in my sub-album, Various Ideas).

A couple of added pointers. (1) For men, it works best to kneel before the potti to urinate (that way, no splashing). This posture also works well in the C-Dory, for covenience and privacy. (2) Whenever possible, it is better to use the potti only for urination. This usually reduces the smell factor to a non-issue, and dramatically prolongs the usage between emptyings. (The converse is also true!)

Wayne

ffheap · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:06 pm Post subject:

Hi Folks,

First I want to say that the portiPotti is the greatest invention since sliced bread.

I started with the 13" PortiPotti when I first purchased my 22' 1983 C dory. I changed over to the bigger one because it was more comfortable to sit on then the shorter one. It also carried more -----. It came with a place to insert a hose from pumpout stations with out asking for it at the back of it.. In fact it was built in the PorttiPotti but the directions did not mention it at all. Dun has the same PortiPotti and showed me an extension hose so the the pumping can be done through the forward hatch. I am in the process of anchoring the PortiPotti so I can get at the pumpout feature without taking the tank out of the boat.

As for cleanup. I use the treated paper HandiWipes for all types of cleanup including washing my face and hands. Easy to use and saves on the water supply. I also use Freebreeze to keep my cushions smelling fresh. The other great product is Cinch. Cleans the galley and the glass. We use lots of it at the Inn.

Someone mentioned the subject of whether a man should stand or sit. On the older (pre 1986) boats, it is easy to stand. Plenty of room. On the later models, it is hard to stand in that the PortiPotti's are under the deck. When I stand, I use a bucket. Easier to flush and clean.

Thank You.

Fred

Sneaks · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:39 am Post subject:

A new approach:

http://www.potties.com/adult.htm

I can definitely see a use for something like this. I've never been fond of a "Porta-Potty" for casual day trips.

Oh, it comes in child sizes as well.

Don

DaveS · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject:

Certainly a space saver, however would certainly be a crappy deal if it sprung a leak at the wrong time. Crook

Chester · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:52 pm Post subject:

Oh no, it's your turn to blow it up.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:56 pm Post subject:

I think I'd prefer the security of the earlier, rigid walled model!

But it just goes to show......

"True Genius Has No Bounds"...........Confuseus

Joe, on terra firma, so to speak..

DaveS · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:00 pm Post subject:

Given the information by Milehog and myself in our two "posts", I'm thinkin' that I'll "pass" on this nifty adjunct to my vessel..........Don, it's all yours......since you're a submariner, you're probably more adept at using such a device.... Laughing

Sneaks · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:45 pm Post subject:

Wayne McCown · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject: Leaking?

By the way...it is almost impossible for the simple Pota-potti to leak. The base, walls and top are typically molded as one piece.

El and Bill · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:31 pm Post subject:

Don --
Your description of 'dumping the tank' on a submarine has now made my dumping the porta-potti a simple and brainless task -- thanks!!

And you have now added a new dimension to our observation of a 'fart' we once observed when well offshore Georgia -- we assumed a whale or decomposing gases in the sea floor -- instead, since there is a sub base just inshore, it might have been ... oh, never mind ...