Composting Head, roller furling and roller main worth it?

[greenfin]

Good day and sailing to all.
I was wondering if any of these additions (Composting Head, Roller furling and roller main)work well with a MacGregor M sailboat . I do know that they cost extra, but does it enhance the performance enough to cover the cost and the extra hassle in setting up worth it if you plan on trailering frequently. If not what are some ideas that work well. Use the stock items? I like the idea of not having to instal a holding tank if using the compost toilet. but do they work well on a Mac M compared to the porta pot which doesn't seem to last for a family of four for a week. Is it worth to purchase the holding tank option in the offer in a new Mac. (Would this be enough for the time frame? 1week family of 4) I would love to hear from people who have add these items on their boat and the issues they are presently having compared to the stock items they once had. I do not want to waste money on something that has failed in performance or a problem for a one man operation in setting up.
I also have another issue. I am 74 inches and worried about living with the height restraints in cabin and with the canapy. Is there enough room or will I have a stiff neck.
Another thing is an aft shower feasible to wash things down or take a fresh shower on a Mac
If anyone has answers to some of these issues, it will further my decision.

Thanks,
Greenfin

[Bleakco]

IMHO the roller furling genny is the most important add-on you can get!!!!!!!!!! No need to go forward on a pitching deck to set sail....I purchased a porti-potty with a pump out tube on it and plumbed it in myself, it took only about an hour and almost every marina I visit the pump outs are free and only take a couple of minutes for a quick dump..when finished with the cruise our home marina has a pump out and that is when we flush it really well and pump it a couple of times (still less than 5 minutes). it really beats carrying t he thing home or to a public restroom and dumping it...At your height I would not get a stock enclosure for the cockpit,,,,it is too low, even the bimini is to low, you can go to a local shop and get one made to fit you for a couple of boat bucks more than the factory but you will really regret it if you don"t.

bob 2001

[Québec 1]

Portapottie works for my family and me. Will install pump out to the portta pottie sometime in the future if I have too butI will only hook it up to satisfy the CG. I enjoy not having any hoses full of S--t on the boat cause it ends up smelling. Every time some one uses the PP they put in a glug of Pinesol and there is never any smell.
The roller furler with UV protector is definitely worth the price with all lines to the Wheel.

If your tall you will really appreciate a dodger which will allow you to stand tall at least under the hatch!

Auto pilot is like having an extra hand on board.

Q1

[Russ]

I have no experience with composting heads, but many who have them have given them good reviews. Frankly, if you have access to dump it, a 5gal porta pottie is the way to go if you ask me. Most people don't go out for a week at a time away from dumping capabilities.

As for height...well you aren't going to find a bigger interior in a trailer sailor anywhere. It's not going to be roomy, but it's only a 26' boat. In the cockpit I think you will be fine.

Shower?
I have a raw water washdown pump on my transom. Love this thing. It's great to hose off or just spray a mist to cool down. For "real" showers, those sun showers work well.

Also, I'd definitely buy a roller furling jib. The ability to roll that thing up and stay off the foredeck is great. Worth the extra money.

I have no experience with roller main, but the main isn't that big and I don't find it hard to deal with.

--Russ

[Québec 1]

Pressurized Solar shower.... make it yourself or buy it here for 35$

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/gear/shower/index.htm

[hoaglandr]

We looked long and hard at the composting toilet but in the end we went with an MSD porta-pot. It's simple to use, inexpensive, and I can empty it at home or pump it out at the marina. If I change my mind later, I haven't invested a lot of money. Seemed like the prudent way to go until I have spent enough time on the water to evaluate it better.

Yes on the furler for the jib! I don't have any experience with the main. They sound cool but don't come cheap. I'm just adding slugs to my sail.

Russell

[Québec 1]

slugs are real good! and a BBQ is a necessity.
Q1

[kelseydo]

Greenfin,
I can't imagine single handing without the roller furling. I've got an Air Head Composing Head http://www.airheadtoilet.com/ sitting here that will be installed later this spring. The quality seems OK, but it's a little hard to believe I paid that much for it. I'll post an update after it is installed and I've actually been able to load it up, if you catch my meaning.
Dan

[Norca]

I have been looking into the airhead composting toilet myself.
It is pretty tall at 20 inches! If it is installed on that small shelf in the head, it will be wery tall indeed.
It would rightfully be called "The throne"
Has anyone cut away that fiberglass shelf to make more room for a fixed toilet?
If it could be installed that way towards the back, but at floor level it could work,
otherwise it would be too high I think.

[yukonbob]

When I was looking I talked to Cheryl at BWY and she talked me out of a lot of things I thought I needed (ie full marine head, roller main, pressure water ect) If you really want the roller main look at bwy's system, I don't have it but they know their stuff. As for the head you can always take the pp off the boat you can't with a full head with tanks (don't know about the compost head). Pressure water is a lot of extra weight if you're trailering. I'll second the solar shower and the raw pump at the back for fishing, hosing off ect. But the most important thing is if you get the extras before you know if you need them you might be wasting your money, but you can always add it on later if you find out you do want it, and thats half the fun

[greenfin]

I want to thank everyone who has given me much advice to ponder. I now have an idea as to what I will definately get on my boat right away. It sounds that the roller furler is a must have to stay at the helm and have greater control as circumstances come into play.
I definately want to know how your Airhead composting toilet works for you when you fill it up. I will be watching for your post regarding this product. I know that you are using it on an but is there enough room on an as Norca stated. I would like to know what is the hight in the head of a and would there be room with this 20" height.

I will definately obtain a custom canopy to work with my height. I also researched the Duckworks pump shower which seems that it would work well. If anyone has used one over a long period of time without any problems, I would be interested in your post.

Again thanks,
If there is more information regarding these things, please keep them comming. I will be looking to your replies and soon I will be able to answer questions for others as time goes on.

Greenfin

[seahouse]

Welcome Greenfin!

The roller furling main was originally on my must-have list because it is what I am accustomed to on a much larger boat. I did not order it on my Mac because it has some technical disadvantages, one of them being that it moves the sail upwards, by around 8" (with no increase in headroom, and higher centre of pressure).

The disadvantages of the furling genoa are relatively minor, so it's a must-have.

I'm sure you're aware that one disadvantage of the composting toilet is its near-continuous power consumption.

The Dowsar full enclosure has lots of headroom, but sorry, I can't give you its exact measurements.

-Regards - Brian.

[Norca]

I did a mock up of the airhead toilet the other day, I used a piano bench that is the same height,
installed it in the head and tried it out. It is pretty tall compared with a porta potty.
If continuus power draw from the internal ventilation fan is a consern, they have a
solar vent option making it independent of outside powersource.
There's also the Natureshead, wery similar and about the same height.

[Divecoz]

Roller Furling is really nice ( I assume this anyway.. and mine is going on this spring) Hanking on is a lot more effort.. Though with the Rotating Mast on the M it sails so well with just the Main, I have done that a lot..
Porta Potty is IMHO ( unless money is no object ) the way to go.. Get the Larger holding tank .. It sits higher and of coarse holds more.. It is very adaptable.. Mine is carry out, pump over, and pump out..
Roller Main for me just isn't on the table.. too many issues IMHO and among them.... $$$$$

[Russ]

Pressure water is a lot of extra weight if you're trailering.

I disagree. If installed with huge tanks, this can add a lot of weight. I have 2 5gal portable jugs for fresh water and the if used properly, the pressure water can be used sparingly. The key is to turn the flow down low when a low amount is needed and shut it off right away.

I know that you are using it on an but is there enough room on an X as Norca stated. I would like to know what is the hight in the head of a M and would there be room with this 20" height.

Good question.
Honestly, the head room in the head of an M is tiny. I'm coming from from a 34' boat so I'm spoiled, but this thing is small but it's big for a 26' boat. We removed the door and installed a curtain which helps a lot.

--Russ