Pros and cons of an onboard toilet

[New2cobalts]

Hi,

I'm a newbie considering a purchase of a used boat. My wife is very concerned about not having a toilet on board, and doesn't like my suggestion of going in the water! Looking at https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2019-cobalt-r5-8358223/ as an example, I see it lists a porcelain head with electric flush. Any input on the pros and cons of having this option?

thanks!

[Paul275]

Try asking your wife to use the water if it isn't a swim day. It will rarely be used, but when needed, worth its' weight in gold. Deal with extra coin and whatever complications arise. I would never own a boat without a toilet and would a porta potty would be highly suspect. You're buying a Cobalt, buy one properly equipped.

[New2cobalts]

Try asking your wife to use the water if it isn't a swim day. It will rarely be used, but when needed, worth its' weight in gold. Deal with extra coin and whatever complications arise. I would never own a boat without a toilet and would a porta potty would be highly suspect. Your buying a Cobalt, buy one properly equipped.

Thanks for the input, very helpful!

[New2cobalts]

What about having it cleaned and pumped out? Is that pretty easy?

[Cctvdc]

When we bought our boat it was a must have for us. Cleaning is just as you would do at home, and staff at our marina do the pump out that is quick and easy.

[AsLan7]

.
We only use ours for emergencies. Twice in 20 years with our last two Cobalts. Both times by teenagers.

[sailor55330]

I've had boats with toilets and they are are like anything else on a boat, Eventually, something will need fixing---and working on this is a crappy job (See what I did there?)

As for the daily use, yes, they can be a luxury, especially for the ladies. I will tell you having had a head (yes, marine toilets are called heads), they will smell if used. I don't care how much or often you pump them out, they are going to smell eventually.

Cleaning is as you would do for a regular toilet. As for pumping out, as mentioned, it's usually a case of going to a marina and having them hook up a suction hose. Some marinas have a do it yourself pumpout. When I lived in Houston, one marina had a pump out station with a clear hose.....presumably to "monitor" when the holding take was empty----that was not pretty. It's not something you can do at home if you were thinking that. It's not hard, but not pleasant either.

If you do go forward with a boat with a head, just remember the old saying "nothing goes in the head that didn't go you in first".

[Whippled263]

Personally I will never use my current pump out head. however ive owned two boats with port-o-pottys and we used it often because it was so easy to clean and remove the waste. There is simply a detachable holding tank that i carried to the bathroom and dumped. I would then thoroughly clean inside and out and it was ready to be used again. Mind you the holding tank is not big so dump accordingly. My two cents is to stay away from head pump outs due to being a pain in the butt to remove waste and the SMELL!

[Krob1114]

I'm coming off a series of injuries that required me to have a portable, free standing toiler in bedroom. We learned to live with it, emptied it after every use. It's no longer needed, but it verified something we did on our boat.

Cobalt R3 was the top of the line for our income. It was not available with head. My wife looked at other boats because she thought she needed a head.
I pointed out that we have "needed" head once in 11 years. I bought a fold flat, camper typed toilet that uses plastic bags, like the aforementioned portable except smaller. We've never taken it out of the container.

My $0.02 worth of advice.

[Tuscany]

It makes the ladies much more comfortable.

Regular carry out portapotty is ok. Not a pretty job though, dumping and rinsing..
The pump out portapotty IMO, presents issues. 2 gallons of holding tank is really small, and opening the trap door for the next use?. Then, you are back pumping it out after a couple trips.

We ordered our R7 with the flushing porcelain toilet and 10 gallon holding tank. Holds a season worth of…you know. Never a smell.
I wouldn’t order a boat without it. Nothing worse than an evening entertaining interruption by heading to a dock if when someone just has to go…

[New2cobalts]

Thanks all, very helpful.

One thing I've heard is that onboard heads are tiny, basically not big enough for anyone larger than a kid to use. Is that true in your experience? For boat size reference, I've been looking at R5s that come with a head.

[Snowman8]

We use our head in our R5 periodically. I would say it definitely extends the season. If it’s too cold to be in the water we have options. If ordering a new boat I would definitely get one again. As for the smell if we use it we have it pumped out each use and use a marine head treatment/deodorizer. It’s less than $10 to have it pumped so why not pump it. They will smell if not taken care of! Just use a marine or RV head deodorizer there are many different kinds available on Amazon.

[Paul275]

Just another data point. I have a 2013 296 with the vacuflush head. It has been used, but not often. Completely odor free. I may have to have it pumped at the end of the season. Great set up and very nice to have it on the boat.

[New2cobalts]

Thanks!

[trimtn]

We ordered the porcelain toilet with our '22 R8 surf. We have had groups out several times this summer, and have used the head frequently (as well as pumped out at the gas dock). Zero issues, no smell, great convenience. Would not consider a boat without it if you entertain. We do use the tank treatment chemical to help combat any odors.