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I have decided to install an AirHead composting toilet in my boat. I have a 2012 M the install requires holes to be drilled into the floor area where the head is installed can anyone tell me where the ballast bladder is? I believe it may be below the head floor. I chose the AirHead as apposed to Nature Head because the Airhead allows you to remove the liquid bottle without opening the lid to the toilet. I have not purchased the head yet in case installation is not recommended or others on this site have other suggestions so I'm waiting to hear from you all. Thanks for your help.

I suggest you use some sturdy pieces of white plastic (like a cutting board that may be had from Home Depot for under 10 dollars) that you can epoxy on the floor of the head. The lining seems pretty flimsy to begin with. You could also insert the bolts backwards into the board and put the nuts on the screws from above. That would raise the toilet a couple of inches (depending on how high you want it, you may even use a couple of layers of white plastic) The toilet is low to begin with.
I think that Nature's Head also allows you to remove the container without opening the lid (if that is indeed an issue)
The biggest problem would be the air vent. The aerobic bacteria need a constant flow of oxygen to break down the crap. Some people have used the exhaust vent by drilling a hole in the head's window and mounting a solar Nicrovent on the side, and that seems to do the trick. I opted for the vent in the cockpit, port side, just right of the companionway. In retrospect, that wasn't such a bright idea.... the "fumes" are not exactly odorless and they tend to waft into the cockpit, especially at night, when grilling and savoring the beer. The solution I found was to remove the vent when in the cockpit and plug up the hole with the special cap that comes with the vent. It takes 10 seconds and ensures a properly romantic atmosphere in the cockpit. The bacteria may well live on their reserves of oxygen for four-six hours. At night, when we go to bed, we replace the solar vent and everyone is happy.
I suspect that even with a side vent, some traces of miasmas will still find their way into the cockpit anyway...but maybe not. It's not too bad, and no one seems to notice unless you know it is there

Thanks for the information. Would the plastic board prevent tipping over if the boat heals over 25 degrees? I looked at natures head vs airhead and thought that you needed to open the lid of the toilet on the NH to remove the liquid bottle I'll check it again as the NH costs less and I definetly thought it was important not to have to open the lid. Your design in effect would not require drilling the floor so that is a real plus. I was going to run the vent through the roof of the cabin as shown on the video for installation do you think that will work on the M? BTW I really like the cabin set up of the X over the M because of the enclosed head on the X. Another issue is that on the M the floor in the head has a step on it so I have to accommodate that. Your help is greatly appreciated. Best regards, capt. Bob

My 2c

The step on the 26M has nothing but air underneath it, so you can safely bolt things to it

I installed the c-head on my 26M and it's awesome!
They have one just for boats like the M - i.e. with a step
Video here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA9GWBGDPVc
Web site - http://www.c-head.com/index.html

The owner/designer (Sandy) was super helpful when I had questions, and even offered to drop it off to my hotel (I live in NZ, but was in the US, so thought I'd save me some freight).


Richard

RichardChCh wrote:I installed the c-head on my 26M and it's awesome!

RichardChCh wrote:The owner/designer (Sandy) was super helpful when I had questions,

+1 and wanted to add that the admiral has said that the c-head has been the best mod on the boat. We have not vented ours and never plan too as there is virtually no smell with it.

I put the Nature's Head in my 26M. Removed the door and clip a curtain across to the port side to gain head room. You need to unclip and tilt the top back in order to remove and replace the Pee Bottle, no big deal. Wife very happy.