Duane Dunn, Allegro wrote: I may get a Dometic one next season as they seem to be the best built ones I've found.
The one with the pressure button pump? I need a new one and am seriously looking at this one:
That's what I have (same size, large holding tank) and I've had good results. Mounts solidly, easy to dump if you don't let it get too full. Mine came with a pumpout adapter, so it can be installed "Great Lakes legal" ...
One caveat about that! The pumpout adapter has a "double elbow" that sticks out about 2.5 inches back of the tank. Unfortunately, Dometic didn't allow for that in the bracket-install diagram I got with my potty. If I do choose to go the pump-out route, I'll have to remove and replace the brackets ... bummer.
bubba wrote:We just had to replace our holding tank ( the bottom piece ) because it was not supported on all 4 corners and had created a split about an inch long on the bottom and at first it leaked a little then when it got full and the weather got hot about 3 weeks ago it leaked a lot more and I happened to be moored in Seattle (for the boat show) within walking distance of the bussiness who sold our tank origionally and bought a new bottom tank ( $ 80.00 ). I now need to make a wooden support for the front of the holding tank so the cracking will not happen again, I hope. A real mess and stinky too. I am not sure why MacGregor does not shape ther inside liner to fully support these potties on all 4 corners since almost all of them use simular tanks.
Might be a good idea to cut a 3/4" ply base to attach to the liner first as a floor for the pottie to fully support it. Round the corners for safety to ankles and 3/4" should be strong enough to cantilever the small amount in front. Thanks for the warning. Mine hasn't cracked yet and don't ever want to experience that. Bad enough just having to empty it. First mod I will make when get to boat. Was thinking to buy a second tank to extend time out without emptying. Aleady use one gallon jugs for male urine. Don't have to worry about missing when standing and boat is moving or have to pull down drawers and sit which feels unnatural just to pee. Just have to lable with marker so don't mistake for apple juice or tea.Still, females, wife and daughter, really fill six gallons quickly. Bob
the Potty's that have the MSD (on edit changed typo from MSR to MSD) has a replacement for the spout for pumpout and vent. Nice function.
I use liquid laundry detergent in my tank. Not much, mixed with water. The same when I wash the boul. No brush. Spray before use and spray after, If not clean, spray again and waite. I have found the boul brush stinks. I have the "No powder that West sells but the Liquid Laundry detergent works better. I also put my potty on the floor and took off the door. Not much use for me.
There is also vent holes on the top of the tank. These need to be kept open unless you have the vent connect outside the boat. This vent hose needs to be very long and high so that you do not empty the tank when sailing.
Last edited by James V on Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
The blue capped stuff contains formaldehyde. Not earth-friendly and you don't want to dump it into a septic tank system. It's banned in some campgrounds.
You also don't need more than an ounce or so of deodorizer in a porta-potty bottom. You do need a cup or so of water with it before use to prevent stool from sticking to the tank bottom below the entry. As James says, a drop or two of liquid soap will keep things from sticking in the tank. Shake it up well.
Carry a spray bottle of soapy water to spray in the bowl before use. This will help reduce skid marks in the bowl and make them easier to wash off.
James V wrote:the Potty's that have the MSR has a replacement for the spout for pumpout and vent. Nice function.
Are you referring to the Dometic brand of potties? And MSR stands for?
Phil M
I believe "MSR" should have been spelled "MSD", or "Marine Sanitation Device".
My Dometic 975 MSD came with a pumpout fitting that replaces the pour-spout on the holding tank. This fitting has barbs for a 1.5-inch septic hose and a .75" vent hose. You add the hoses, a deck-plug for the pumpout, and a fitting through the topsides for the vent hose.
There are places where it's illegal to use a porta-potty unless it's "permanently installed" with a pump-out. The province of Ontario clearly proscribes them ... this is a quote from the Ontario Marine Operators' Association Clean Boater Handbook:
4. Holding Tank Pumping
Black Water Tanks
It is important to note that portable heads or Porta-
Potties are NOT permitted in Ontario waters unless
they are permanently fastened in place and fitted
with a deck-mounted pump-out discharge fitting. It is
NOT permitted to remove toilet waste from a boat
other than through a deck fitting by means of a
shore-based pumping system. Sea outlets for a head
and/or holding tank must have no physical
connection to an overboard discharge valve. Y-valves
must be either removed or sealed in a position that
allows raw sewage to enter the black-water holding
tank only.
Most Potty makers have a MSD potty. Some are better than others. Not as many out there as 4 years ago.
I already had a holding tank set up. The Marine head used way to much water so I replaced with a MSD Potty. Much Less in the holding tank but not as durable.
Moe - I found the difference between 1 oz and 4 oz of blue in the PP was huge in terms of the reduced smell on board. The directions recommend 4 oz for PP.
Kelly Hanson East wrote:Moe - I found the difference between 1 oz and 4 oz of blue in the PP was huge in terms of the reduced smell on board. The directions recommend 4 oz for PP.
There is never any smell or staining with Pine Sol, besides the pine sol smell. Very effective and disintegrates the toilet paper completely.
Q1
4. Holding Tank Pumping
Black Water Tanks
It is important to note that portable heads or Porta-
Potties are NOT permitted in Ontario waters unless
they are permanently fastened in place and fitted
with a deck-mounted pump-out discharge fitting. It is
NOT permitted to remove toilet waste from a boat
other than through a deck fitting by means of a
shore-based pumping system. Sea outlets for a head
and/or holding tank must have no physical
connection to an overboard discharge valve. Y-valves
must be either removed or sealed in a position that
allows raw sewage to enter the black-water holding
tank only.
I wonder what the reason is for not allowing porta potties? They force you to use a pump out which means you must visit a marina with facilities.
Do they think people will dump them over the side?
Québec 1 wrote:There is never any smell or staining with Pine Sol, besides the pine sol smell. Very effective and disintegrates the toilet paper completely.
Q1
I have had no problen with finding PP dump stations in Pudget Sound, it seams like if a marina sells fuel they have a free dump station even without buying fuel. We have the larger 5 gal tank that last me 2 weeks but when my wife is along it lasts about 5 days. One bay has lots of jelly fish and my buddy says the home septic tanks have drained thru the ground for years and causes the jelly fish to hang out.
Québec 1 wrote:
There is never any smell or staining with Pine Sol, besides the pine sol smell. Very effective and disintegrates the toilet paper completely.
Q1
Okay, I'm going to try Pine Sol. And the spray bottle with some liquid soap is a good idea too. And perhaps a larger porta potti, and maybe some day a pumpout feature, etc.
bubba wrote:I have had no problen with finding PP dump stations in Pudget Sound, it seams like if a marina sells fuel they have a free dump station even without buying fuel.
I would expect states like Washington to have government subsidies for free pump outs to encourage its use.
In the two states I've had to deal with (New Jersey and Montana) pump outs are not free. The idea of paying $5 bucks to pump a few gallons from a porta potty tank seems silly when I can just carry it up and dump it out in the bathroom or even at my own home toilet.
And the spray bottle with some liquid soap is a good idea too. And perhaps a larger porta potti, and maybe some day a pumpout feature, etc. 