New Head for a New Boat

[born2sail]

Hello Mac sailors!

I have been looking at these boats for years and have now finally bought one. I have purchased a 2013 26M that was never used. (The fenders are still in the bags.) The boat is very well equipped, but no head. I have search this site, but have not found the topic that would guide me.

I am looking for a an easy to use head. My wife does not want to be pulling a unit out with poop sloshing around. So either I want a unit that securely stashes it away or take the plunge with a pump out variety.

We live in MN and will mostly be using it for day sails, with 2-3 overnight trips per summer. Apostle Islands, Lake Michigan....

Any help would be appreciated.

[Chinook]

I seriously encourage you to look into composting toilets. There are 3 to choose from, as far as I know. The original, and most costly, is the Air Head, which we have, Very similar and slightly less expensive is Nature's Head, and the third, which is a good bit less expensive is the C head. They all do the same thing. They are able to collect urine separately from solids. The urine goes in a removable tank which is easily dumped, either into an on shore toilet or overboard. Much less of an issue compared with emptying a porta potty. The solids go into a canister about the size of a 5 gallon bucket, only a little shorter. You place peat moss, coir, or garden compost material into the lower portion of the canister, add a bit of plumber's enzyme, and then turn the mixing crank handle after each use. With the kind of use you plan for your boat, you should be able to go an entire season before needing to empty the solids tank. We're very pleased with ours, and others on this board report similar experience. One issue with M boats is the lower ceiling height in the head, compared with X boats. Some owners report cutting down the shelf in the floor of the head, to gain more headroom.

[RGF]

I just replaced my pain in the rear porta-potti with this --- http://www.dry-flush.com/ No mess, no sloshing. I almost bought a C-head composting toilet but wasn't sure whether I could control the moisture needed/not needed if it wasn't used enough but that type should definitely be in your considerations.

[Bobglas]

Regarding Natures Head on a 26M. I mounted it in front of the shelf, took out the door and installed a curtain that hangs across to the port side. avoids claustrophobic enclosure and the shelf holds a small can w/ peat moss filled coffee cups,spare 4 gallon water tank and a bucket.

[born2sail]

Thank you both for the suggestions. I will do deeper research, but my two concerns are easy of installation (The compartment has an untouched surface that is staring at me! And, the sloped nature seems to make the installation needlessly difficult) and cost. I am cost-concuss, but in this area, a good solution is worth extra expense. However, spending extra to get something that is overkill, is not necessary either. I will attempt to get the best unit for this application.

I did check them out and the C-Head says they make one for the . Very appealing.

The Air Head seems way to large for the compartment. I can't see any other way to install it other than cutting into that slope. Chinook, did I read into your post that you did not cut into the slope? Did I miss something? The website also does not list the cost. My father used to say that if you have to ask, you can't afford it..... I am willing to spend what it takes to get a solution that my wife and daughters approve of. Also, My wife does like a door, so I would rather not have to remove it....

RGF, The Dry Flush does seem like a really good option. Do you recall the cost and how is the installation? Did you do it?

Thanks again for the help! Making my three gals comfortable will mean more time on the boat!

[bobbob]

For your usage I think the Dry Flush will suit you very well. I put one in my boat last year and it is really as painless as it gets. The downside of course is being tied to the cartridge system but you can leave one cartridge in for months and months if its light usage - seems to lock any potential odor in 100%.

I never bothered to install mine, because when we camp for a couple of days (not necessarily with the boat) I sometimes like to take it with us

[Jim Bunnell]

If your wife likes a door, you can always add 1 or 2 panels to the door so that it encompasses the passage midship. Here is my solution on an early M - your existing door may differ, but the concept will still work. http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=605

[born2sail]

Bobbob,

I appreciate the feedback, but which one are you referring to> You said Dry Head. Are you referring to Dry Flush? Or is it a different one altogether? Also, still not sure what it costs, but no installation is a big plus!

[Russ]

When we bought the Mac, the idea of the porta potty was really off putting having no experience with one.

I am still delegated to the emptying process, but it's not that bad. A cheap solution for weekend boaters. The 5 gal tank will last a few days.
You shouldn't write it off completely. The other solutions posted above are excellent choices, but can be more pricey.

And of course as you know, in these islands of sun and fun, we never flush for number one.

--Russ

[bobbob]

Sorry, I meant Dry Flush (corrected the original post). Its $500 at Home Depot. It certainly doesn't need to be installed - it's self contained and self supporting. Whether or not you want to install it to prevent it from shifting around would be purely optional. In my I don't think its necessary. It helps that there is no catastrophic down side to having it tip over - the bag system completely locks the bad stuff in!

[frede]

If your wife likes a door, you can always add 1 or 2 panels to the door so that it encompasses the passage midship. Here is my solution on an early M - your existing door may differ, but the concept will still work. http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=605

I like the door mod! I just ordered the Laveo Dry Head for my early after the Admiral made some comments after cleaning it out this weekend. Got it from Home Depot for $495, Everywhere else I checked wanted $595.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Laveo-Dry-Fl ... /205205828
Now I just need to figure out how to get that shelf out. I removed all the screws but it ain't moving

[Québec 1]

My head door mod. I also have a small bungee that attaches the louvered door to a screw on the bulkhead to keep the door from banging around in rough waters.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1932

[Hugh]

I seriously encourage you to look into composting toilets. There are 3 to choose from, as far as I know. The original, and most costly, is the Air Head, which we have, Very similar and slightly less expensive is Nature's Head, and the third, which is a good bit less expensive is the C head. They all do the same thing. They are able to collect urine separately from solids. The urine goes in a removable tank which is easily dumped, either into an on shore toilet or overboard. Much less of an issue compared with emptying a porta potty. The solids go into a canister about the size of a 5 gallon bucket, only a little shorter. You place peat moss, coir, or garden compost material into the lower portion of the canister, add a bit of plumber's enzyme, and then turn the mixing crank handle after each use. With the kind of use you plan for your boat, you should be able to go an entire season before needing to empty the solids tank. We're very pleased with ours, and others on this board report similar experience. One issue with M boats is the lower ceiling height in the head, compared with X boats. Some owners report cutting down the shelf in the floor of the head, to gain more headroom.

What Chinook said.
We have a natures head positioned in front of the shelf for head room. Works well for us. I've seen one with a NH cut into the shelf to sit the unit further back. I really don't think there would be a structural issue doing this. I didn't cause I was lazy
As other have said for your potential usage I'd look into WAG bagsand a bucket . We used them paddling the Green River last April and they worked really well. They are readily available but someone has to fold up the top to close it for disposal.

[RGF]

Same price and Home Depot for me. I did however buy the $45 mounting bracket but I seriously considered just a bungee cord!

[cptron]

We bought the c-head and couldn't be happier with our purchase. The guy builds them out of his house and it has the step down for the shelf so you don't have to cut anything out and you don't have to vent it as there is nothing but an earthy potting soil aroma when you first lift the lid. We don't worry about moisture content or anything else until it is time to empty it. Give the guy a call from his website and talk to him. Maybe it will help you with your decision making process.
Congrats on the boat and may you have many years of enjoyment with it.