So Deborah and I did some real-world research this weekend on a marine composting toilett. We were pretty impressed. Seems like a lot of positives to the system — no holding tank, no hoses, no thruhulls, no need for water, and if maintained properly, no odors and a lot less hassel than pumping out a holding tank.

Downside seems to be that they need more attention and could frighten off guests from sailing with us

Anyone have toughts?

Hi Phil:

Here’s what I found so far. Would love to hear what you think:

http://www.sailsarana.com/FAQ.htm

http://www.svsarah.com/Sarah/ewcompostingheadinstall.htm

http://www.sailboatfamily.com/BoatCompostingToiletHeadConversion.php

http://www.marinesurveyor.com/articles/kant06a.html

http://jcmcdowell.com/composting-head-in-a-sailboat-update/

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f74/dry-composting-head-installed-and-in-use-28151.html

http://www.oceannavigator.com/content/composting-toilets-green-approach-dealing-voyaging-waste

http://www.deepplaya.com/post/Installing-the-Composting-Head.aspx

Thanks pacificsailors. I keep asking someone to talk us out of this, but so far, no one has come up with a good reason to stick with the holding tanks system. Why don’t all boats come standard with this set up? Imagine, the cost for the heads would come way down with a larger market.

Thanks for the link. Seems the author identified the problems as mostly not installing head properly. I can’t imagin getting enough air flow out of the existing holding tank vent. I have seem complaints about bugs several times. That’s something to watch for. And in terms of emptying the urine bottle, I agree, every two to four days is still a lot easier than heading to the pump out every week.