Tuesday, September 18, 2007 |
Author: Julia
Over the weekend we built the actual toilet section of the head rebuild. I had wanted this section in wood--preferably aromatic cedar--I had images of a beautiful room filled with fine woodwork and craftsmanship, put together with relative ease. My actual woodworking skills were not what I remembered them to be from the glory days of high school woodworking class. FYI: woodworking is not like riding a bike. I definitely forgot a lot.
However we are happy with the result. It is infinitely preferable to a marine head for two primary reasons: no plumbing to stop up underway and a full size toilet seat. Marine toilet seats are remarkably uncomfortable.
We ended up using oak for the primary construction and two boards of aromatic cedar as slats in front. The seat hinges up (to one side) for both bucket removal and so that guys who wish to pee standing up can do so.
I have been surprised at the amount of negative responses we getting about pulling out the head and replacing it with a bucket. While I wouldn't say that I prefer a bucket over a normal indoor household toilet, here's why I think it's better than other marine options:
1) Head with overboard discharge: When you are at sea and pumping overboard this is essentially a mechanical bucket with the chance to break and flood the boat through a seacock. When you are in port this is worse than a bucket because you are pumping overboard whereas we plan to use Wag Bags which allow for biodegradable (and discreet) disposal.
2) Head with holding tank: At sea this is worse, because although you can pump out your holding tank, owners almost always add in chemicals to keep the holding tank (and boat) "smelling clean." In harbor it is more convenient than a bucket with wag bags...until you have to find a place to empty it. Additionally, on Pisces the holding tank is underneath the v-berth (underneath my side). So, if we're using the holding tank while in port or anchored, we'll also be using the v-berth, and the idea of sleeping on top of a tank full of dirty waste is not particularly appealing.
3) There are other options and variants of the traditional marine head, all of which are too expensive for us to realistically consider.
Basically there is no good option, this one just strikes us as the simplest, cheapest, most reliable one.
The room is really coming together, which is exciting. Our next steps in that room include trying different methods to hold the tool boxes in, installing a drawer, teak grating for the pan, and re-plumbing the drain overboard via hand-pump (which has a dual benefit: we can remove and fill both seacocks in the head, but still shower :) ).
To be continued....
However we are happy with the result. It is infinitely preferable to a marine head for two primary reasons: no plumbing to stop up underway and a full size toilet seat. Marine toilet seats are remarkably uncomfortable.
We ended up using oak for the primary construction and two boards of aromatic cedar as slats in front. The seat hinges up (to one side) for both bucket removal and so that guys who wish to pee standing up can do so.
I have been surprised at the amount of negative responses we getting about pulling out the head and replacing it with a bucket. While I wouldn't say that I prefer a bucket over a normal indoor household toilet, here's why I think it's better than other marine options:
1) Head with overboard discharge: When you are at sea and pumping overboard this is essentially a mechanical bucket with the chance to break and flood the boat through a seacock. When you are in port this is worse than a bucket because you are pumping overboard whereas we plan to use Wag Bags which allow for biodegradable (and discreet) disposal.
2) Head with holding tank: At sea this is worse, because although you can pump out your holding tank, owners almost always add in chemicals to keep the holding tank (and boat) "smelling clean." In harbor it is more convenient than a bucket with wag bags...until you have to find a place to empty it. Additionally, on Pisces the holding tank is underneath the v-berth (underneath my side). So, if we're using the holding tank while in port or anchored, we'll also be using the v-berth, and the idea of sleeping on top of a tank full of dirty waste is not particularly appealing.
3) There are other options and variants of the traditional marine head, all of which are too expensive for us to realistically consider.
Basically there is no good option, this one just strikes us as the simplest, cheapest, most reliable one.
The room is really coming together, which is exciting. Our next steps in that room include trying different methods to hold the tool boxes in, installing a drawer, teak grating for the pan, and re-plumbing the drain overboard via hand-pump (which has a dual benefit: we can remove and fill both seacocks in the head, but still shower :) ).
To be continued....
5 comments:
Ok. I see your logic but there are a couple of things I recommend.
1. A 5 Gallon bucket top that seals the bucket.
5 Gallon bucket tops seal oh so tight and I would think they would be essential in high seas, particulary when you're transporting you're bucket o waste out of the cabin/head or to ensure that waste doesn't sully the lid of you head or escape it's cedar home.
2. An extra bucket and top. Just in case.
I'm sure you've thought of this but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it since my mind is playing out some rather funny, well not so funny scenarios . . .
No worries. Have several spare (tightly sealing) tops and several spare buckets.
Those scenarios had also occurred to us, and seemed like ones to avoid if at all possible.
Maybe you will have the pleasure of trying out our controversial head arrangement :)
This probably won't surprise you but I'm looking forward to it. After imagining the process, It seems as everyone should try out the bucket once in their lifetime. There are so many different ways to do business and I've never done business with a bucket.
J and J,
I think your bucket is absolutly brillant.
When I read about Robin Knox-johnson using a bucket, in the first Golden Globe Race, I thought that's it and now you have been brave enough to do it, good job.
I think its a great idea. Building out the old interior space to hold the bucket is smart. If you plant to go far it makes a ton of sense and keeps you away from the regulations of an overboard discharge head... because you technically dont have one.