Toilets and the overall bathroom are a big topic when it comes to sailing, especially if you will be offshore for a few days. Be sure to plan out where you will be going to the bathroom before you set sail.
A sailboat has a toilet very similar to the one you have at home. The seat will look almost identical to a normal toilet. However, there are a few differences. The tank on the back and the flushing system will be different from a toilet on land.
This article is going to discuss toilets for boats. It will discuss the different options for going to the bathroom on a boat and how a toilet/ plumbing system works on a boat. Keep reading to find out more!
Where Do You Poop On A Sailboat?
If you need to poop on a sailboat, ask the captain where the “head” or bathroom is located. Almost all larger sailboats will have a typical toilet available.
The question above is probably one you have heard before, especially if your boat is on the smaller side. People are always curious about the bathrooms on boats. My Catalina 22 did not have a proper bathroom aboard, it was much too small for that. If you are on board a 30-foot vessel, there is probably a more substantial bathroom for use.
If the boat is 36 or 42 feet long, then there are probably two or three heads you can utilize.
The term “Head” is another name for a toilet or bathroom on a boat.
Let us go back to the smaller side of boats though. What do you do if the boat doesn’t have a dedicated bathroom? Check out the next section to find out about marine toilet options.
5 Kinds Of Marine Toilets (Portable And Stationary)
This list will show you 5 different kinds of marine toilets and how they are best utilized.
1. VIVOHOME 5.3 Gallon Waste Tank Portable Toilet
This is a portable option good for smaller boats. This is similar to the one that was on my Catalina 22. Portable means you will have to empty it yourself which most people do not want to do, especially if people are using it for number 2. There are some good features of this model though, take a look below.
- 2.5 Gallon tank for freshwater
- 5.3 Gallon tank for holding sewage
- Double water outlets to avoid stained dead corner spaces
- 286-pound weight limit
2. Jabsco Twist n’ Lock, Manual Marine Toilet
If you have a plumbing system on your boat or an old toilet you want to replace this is a permanent option for you. This is going to give the feel of an actual toilet. The only difference will be the pump flush system. You have to pump this one a few times to get it to flush completely. See below for more features.
- Toile weighs 24 pounds
- Manual pump flush system
- Different size options: Compact or Regular
- Soft-close lid option
3. Thetford 92860 Porta Potti
Here we have another portable toilet option. This one is much smaller than item 1 on our list. This model only weighs 8 pounds, but they do have bigger models for purchase. If you need to save extra space, this might be the best option for your boat. It won’t hold as much though, so keep that in mind. The toilet is also very cheap at only $86.49. Find out more about this small toilet in the list below.
- The deodorant sample included (to help with smell)
- 2.6 Gallon tank for sewage
- 2.6 Gallon tank for freshwater
- Removable seat for easy cleaning
4. Johnson Pumps 80-47435-01 Electric Toilet
This electric toilet is a great option for a bathroom on your boat. If you have a full plumbing system and power on your boat, this could be a great option for you. It is equipped with a grinding pump and comes with a control panel for you to operate it correctly. It will be loud when you flush it so keep that in mind. Electric toilets will give your boat’s bathroom a real at-home feel. It will also help impress your guests. Look below for more information on this toilet.
- Compact size
- Weighs 25.6 pounds
- Electric flush
- Push-button action
5. TMC Marine Electric Toilet
The most expensive toilet on our list at $591 dollars. This is another electric option for your boat. It has a large size toilet seat giving it a more natural feel when you are using it. It includes a pre-wired switch for easy flushing. The bowl is still compact size, not large size like the seat. Look at the list below to see the features of this toilet.
- Voltage: 12 Volts DC
- High-capacity macerator pump
- Diameter: 3/4 inches Inlet | 1-inch Discharge
- Weight: 35lbs (16kg)
This list is just five of the basic options for toilets on a boat. There are a million more options out there. I showed you these five to give you a variety of the different options available to you. Please research as many options as possible to make sure you find the perfect marine toilet for your head.
If you are thinking of getting a more permanent option for your boat or are planning on replacing the current one, let us look at how a marine toilet actually works on a sailboat.
How Does A Marine Toilet Work On A Sailboat? (Electric or Manual)
A marine toilet on a sailboat will be connected to a holding tank and a water tank. The holding tank is where the sewage will go when it is flushed and the water tank supplies the toilet with water for the flushing component.
There is a little more to a toilet system on a boat other than just a holding tank and water tank. Let’s dive deeper into the whole setup.
First, let’s list out the main parts of a typical manual marine toilet setup.
- Toilet
- Manual Pump
- Water Line
- Sewage Line
- Joker Valve
- Vent line
All of the parts listed above are for a basic marine toilet setup. This can vary by type of toilet and overall type of boat. Some boats have a Y connector at the sewage line to allow for the dumping of sewage over the side of the boat. This is allowed in some parts of the ocean but be sure to check your local laws and regulations before doing this.
The toilet and manual pump will be mounted in the boat’s head or bathroom. The installation is usually a straightforward process but always refer to the manufacturer documents when installing.
The water line will be connected to the pump and it takes water from your water tank on board. It will be pumped a few times and flush out your waste.
The waste line is connected to the bottom of the toilet through the joker valve. The joker valve is a special device that prevents backflow into your toilet. If you are getting backflow from your holding tank, it is possible that the joker valve needs to be replaced.
The sewage line will run from your toilet to your holding tank, which holds all of your sewage. Check with your local marinas for getting your waste pumped out of your boat.
The last item on the list was a vent line, which helps the gases in your holding tank be vented. A build-up of gases is never a good thing. If you are getting a bad smell when opening your toilet seat, even though it is empty, it could be because of buildup in the vent line. If there is build-up try cleaning it out or replacing it. This should help the smell issue.
As you can see the plumbing setup for a marine toilet is very straightforward. The hardest part of installing a toilet would be getting rid of the old one and not getting sewage on you.
You can also install an electric flush marine toilet which is the same setup besides the button for flushing your toilet. If your boat was already wired for one, then the next step would just be to swap out the switches as long as they require the same amperage. Check out the diagram below to see how a boat setup would look if drawn out.
The image above is quite simple but helps you visualize a basic marine toilet setup. There are a lot of different setups out there but this one will be very common to see.
There is one more question I would like to answer about toilets. Keep reading to learn more.
Where Do I Empty My Portable Toilet? Multiple Options
See the list below for dumping options:
1. Marina will have a dumping hole
Some marinas have a specific hole for dumping your waste. These will be for natural elements only. We do not want bad chemicals getting into our earth’s soil or water. Per local regulations of course.
2. Toilet On Land
You can always dump your current portable toilet waste into an actual toilet hooked up to the sewer system. This would be the same as using that actual toilet.
3. RV/ Campground Dump Site
If you are sailing or boating near a campground, they will typically have a dumping station for RVs and portable toilets.
One key thing to remember is always to check your local laws and regulations before dumping your waste. Especially if you are dumping it in the water. You can dump human waste into some parts of the ocean but you have to be a long way offshore before you can do that. Just make sure to double-check the rules before you do any dumping.
Final Thoughts
This article talked about marine toilets and how they work. The article was focused on sailboats but the ideas and information can be applied to almost all types of boats. There are portable and permanent options when it comes to selecting boats and five different types were listed. The basic setup for a toilet on a boat was discussed in the “How Does A Marine Toilet Work On A Sailboat” section. It’s very easy to understand and should help you with installation if that day ever comes. As always I hope this article helps provide you with some basic information on marine toilets and how they work. If you have anything to add, please email boatlifehq.com. Cheers!