[C320-list] Toilet paper or no toilet paper in the head?

[Jack Brennan]

We regularly do trips that require full use of the head.

We use thin (single-ply?) toilet paper and make sure no one transforms it into a large wad, the way some people do on land. I find it dissolves fairly quickly.

Pump, pump, pump. Maybe 20 times. You don’t want it stuck in the hose or building up around the tank inlet fitting.

We let freshwater build up in the head sink and use a plastic cup to dump it in the toilet bowl. I don’t like saltwater in the toilet bowl and holding tank for a variety of reasons, including smell.

To me, the big issue is when to macerate. Dumping sewage anywhere but the open ocean obviously is not ideal. In an enclosed body of water, you could be introducing e coli and cholera into the water.

On the other hand, there are many places with no pump outs that are not on the ocean. If you don’t pump out at some point, the holding tank will become pressurized and boy, is that a sight when you unscrew the pumpout cap. (Don’t ask me how I know …)

You will also clog your vent hose and build up dried sewage around in inlet fitting, which will encourage a clog at some point in the future. (Without getting too graphic, dried sewage hardens like concrete.)

So you have to make your decision and live with it. If need be, take some solace in the idea that a variety of marine mammals also poop in the water.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320



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From: Dave Hupe via C320-list<mailto:c320-list at lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 6, 2023 6:41 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Cc: Dave Hupe<mailto:hoopdtwo at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Toilet paper or no toilet paper in the head?

Not straight in the garbage. Have plastic bags at the ready and "deposit" in them first then the garbage.  In addition, get across to everyone do your "business" on shore if possible .... only "number one" in the potty unless an emergency.

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  On Sat, May 6, 2023 at 6:22 PM, Yahoo via C320-list<c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:   Not a pleasant topic but an important one.            where I presently keep my boat there are no pump out facilities so we’ve made do using camping portable toilet bags but we’re moving the boat soon and will have pump out service.      I know many sailors don’t want toilet paper down the head, it goes in the garbage can. I find that unsanitary and wonder what the consensus is among fellow sailors, where does the toilet paper go?


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