Composting Marine Head in C34

[Kevin Henderson]

Browsing over in another forum and I have seen the topic of composting heads come up a couple of times.  I am not considering this idea at the moment but it does have my curiosity. 
Has anyone here actually installed one of these in your C34?  I would like to hear from any owners who have used one of these   or have installed .  One of the things I like is the idea that one could get rid of the holding tank... Lots of real estate to be gained.

Like so many things these days, compliance with "No Discharge" could become uglier i the future and these may be a viable alternative. 

Personally... I'm just not "aesthetically" ready for one yet.. but you never know what the future holds.

http://www.natureshead.net/store/

http://www.airheadtoilet.com/

[scotty]

I had a friend who loved hers, and was so happy that it did not smell.  I thought it had a very unpleasant odor.

[patrice]

Hi,

I know two people who installed a Naturehead in there sailboat, not a Cat34, but are very happy with it.
They say that there is no odor in the boat.  The head come with a small fan, to vent outside.

Patrice

[Lance Jones]

In talking with a mfg at a boat show, they pointed out that all that gets composted are the solids.... Liquids have to go somewhere..... Granted, it will reduce bulk but, I'm afraid you will still need the holding tank.

[patrice]

Hi,
Actually your right, compost is done with No.2 only.
No.1 goes in a separate holding tank.  And this one not being very big, can be brought to the marina and emptied in a toilet.

http://www.natureshead.net/

[rondegroot]

Hi,
last year I contacted Peggie Hall on her thoughts regarding the composting toilet systems for boats. Her reply (from Sept 2011) is below. Hope this helps.

You may also be interested in this article
http://www.mysailing.com.au/news/composting-toilet-passes-the-test
which gives another view on the composting toilet

cheers

Ron
Mundora 1726

Hi Ron,,,

Composting is a terrific concept, but IMHO, it's not quite there for onboard use yet, and definitely will cause more problems than it solves if only used occasionally.. "Nature's Head" seems to be very similar to the AirHead..http://www.airheadtoilet.com  Neither of which is a true composter but a dessicator. The main drawbacks to onboard composters and dessicators are:

1. What to do with excess liquids. 90% of human waste IS liquid...mostly urine, but even solids are at least 75% liquid. Excess liquids have to be drained off , or you have wet soggy organic material...and wet soggy material doesn't compost, it rots. Adding dry material--peat moss is the recommended material 'cuz it breaks down quickly--regularly helps some, and there's usually more liquids than the evaporator--which, btw, requires power--in the self-contained units can handle either. Both the AirHead and Nature's Head separate urine from solid waste the urine is directed into in jugs (or a tank). You can't legally drain 'em overboard (unless you're at sea beyond the 3 mile limit), so the jugs must be stored and carried off the boat or the tank must be pumped out same as any other tank. So I can't see much advantage to this over a portapotty.

2. Even though urine is collected separately, solid waste is 75% liquid, so peat moss is needed to keep it dry. Enough peat moss to keep the thing working during an extended cruise can take up more storage space than a holding tank.

3. Composters need a 3" vent stack... AirHead originally specified a 3 vent but is now claiming that a 1.5 vent is adequate.

4. Continuous power 24/7 to run the evaporator.

5. Composting only works in temperatures above 70 F....and only works really well above 75. Below 70, bacterial activity becomes increasingly sluggish--TOO sluggish to make anything happen. So you have to keep it warm all winter--that's 24/7--or waste will just sit there. The good news is, nothing stinks much in cold weather either.

IMO, an "MSD" portapotty ("MSD " designation means designed to be permanently installed and is fitted for pumpout and/or dumping at sea) makes a LOT more sense, espcially for occasional/weekend use,


--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books/detail-books.htm?fno=0&sku=90&cat=1304

[Roc]

Peggie used to comment on this website, but not anymore?  If there was a subject heading about marine sanitation, she would jump onto the discussion.

[Stu Jackson]

Peggie retired.  Drats.