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I've only been out on my boat a few hours at a time and have not had to use the porta-p. but I am wondering what the appropriate disposal method is. should i take it to the pump out station? should i empty it in a public toilet? it's the details the books don't cover.

We bring ours home to dump it. If it filled up while we were out, I'd see if the pump-out station at the marina had a dump for a porta-potty or otherwise dump it in the toilet in the public restroom at the marina, if permitted.

Since we don't have a MSD potty with pump out hoses on our boat, we bought a PORTABLE TOILET PUMP OUT ADAPTER mainly to show due dilligence if we're ever up in Ontario.

If you've missed it, Tom Spohn advises that pouring the potty contents while the toilet is flushing reduces splashing, and it does. Pouring slightly to the right of the swirl where the water's moving away from you also helps a little. I guess that would be to the left in the southern hemisphere!

Adm Moe,
Thanks for response. Last part a bit difficult for me to picture. Does that mean you pour out while 2 halves (bottom tank & bowl/clean tank) are attached (ie:to be able to flush)?
RHC

No, Tom and I were referring to flushing the residential or public toilet (i.e. the one made out of china) that you're pouring into from the bottom of the Sani-Pottie through the Sani-Pottie's spout provided for dumping.

If you pour into flat water in a toilet, you'll get a lot more splash than if you pour into the swirling water while a toilet is in the process of flushing.

I usually leave the top part of the Sani-Pottie in the boat and just clean it there thoroughly.

Ohhhhh, I get it. I will try that. Thanks again.

RHC,
My Mac has the larger head (not sure the volume...5 gal?). I too just dissconect the top half and wipe it down with those disposable clorox wipes and carry the bottom (business end) to the pump out station. The three different pump out stations I have been to have been difficult to use. I just haven't found the best way to suck out the contents, add fresh water rinse, and keep from making a mess. If I continue to have these awkward experiences at the suck out stations, I may consider either installing a pump out or banning using the head while on the boat!

Rich

If you were to plumb it for pump out, would you also have to fit a vent, to prevent imploding the port-o-let bottom, or do you just remember to open the trap door first?
I've never used or seen the pump-out stations used. Mine's also just dumped at home. The Thetford 5-gal has a really handy integral pour spout that makes it a pretty safe proposition.

If you get a chance to sail in the San Juan Islands WA, you will find this site helpful. This site shows all of the locations for pump out stations located around the Islands and Puget Sound. All of the pump stations are free and many are located on the dock so you just pull up to it. The dump station openings are about 2' square and have wash downs. They work great!

Washington Pumpout locations

Graham

I've found that most pump out facilities work poorly in emptying our porta-potty tank. The suction hose is just too large to fit the opening. Dumping into a toilet or an RV dump station brings their own set of risks. I bought a rubber adapter at a plumbing supply, which fits nicely onto the outlet flange. I secure it with a large hose clamp. This flange connects to a large plastic ball valve which allows me to place the tank in position, line things up, and then gradually open the drain. Much neater operation.

I like the toilet flush idea, and the porta-potty dump stations on Puget Sound are great. Wish other places featured them.

Happy flushing, Mike

So I'm not the only one having to deal with this awkward situation. Sorry guys, reading this thread just created too much imagery about my least favorite boat-related chore. Moe, as usual, you have the magic answer. I'm a bit too nervous about flushing a public toilet while trying to dump porta-poti contents into it. Those things tend to shoot water back at you sometimes.

I bought the 5 gal (large porta-poti) which has a pump-out opening-cap and vent. I never used it, however. Dumping at the marina bathroom is basically my method. I never used a pump-out before, and the notion of attaching a hose to the porta which is used on thousands of other toilets is a bit, shall we say, nasty:?

Leon

This is just one of those things that goes with cruising. Either you use it and dump it or not. I dump it in a public toilet . I try not to carry it around when there is too many people around and empty when 1/2 full. I have found that the marine toilet paper brakes down faster and makes for a more even flow when dumping.

I do clean up after flushing.

Dump the liquid portion first in flushing toilet if possible. Clear out everything you can from the splash fallout zone beforehand! Ever so slowly dump the remainder-- with lots of flushing inbetween---YUCK! Lots of water and 409 on whole toilet and surrounding floor, etc. after.

Hose off that whole bad boy along with top part in corner of backyard grass somewhere-- watch how green it gets in 2 weeks!

Rolf

Dump the liquid portion first in flushing toilet if possible. Clear out everything you can from the splash fallout zone beforehand! Ever so slowly dump the remainder-- with lots of flushing inbetween---YUCK! Lots of water and 409 on whole toilet and surrounding floor, etc. after.

Hose off that whole bad boy along with top part in corner of backyard grass somewhere-- watch how green it gets in 2 weeks!

Rolf

On pumping out

I have the deck pumpout on my 5 gallon Sanipotte - Ive found you have to work with the guy pumping out since you will evacuate the potty much faster than they think..

Its good to take the hose below and fill the potty with fresh water again and suck out a second load to get everything out.

My potty has a second vent line that runs up the deck to let air in when you evacuate it.

Im putting in a macerator this season too btw..

Catigale wrote:

I have the deck pumpout on my 5 gallon Sanipotte

I have the same system, and it works well - but -

Catigale also wrote:

Im putting in a macerator this season too btw..

Why and how? Attached to the Sanipotte? Are you doing a complete holding system with through-hull or what?