Anybody using one? If so would be interested in what your experience is. The biggest issue we have with our boat is the small holding tank, the associated odors from the plumbing and the constant issues with head pumps. It's a PITA going to a marina every 5 or 6 days to pump out, we rarely need fuel and can go weeks on our water supply. We've done the sanitation hose swap using the good stuff on a previous boat and found that after 3 years the odors from the hoses were back.
Have come across one couple who've been using a Nature's Head for almost 4 years now as full time liveaboards and they are very pleased with it with 2 people they go 30-50 days but 4 people for more than a few days at a time are too many. They say proper venting is a must, when they're working right there is only a slightly earthy odor, if any at all. Also sit to pee is pretty important which may be a benefit given the aiming issues for the stand up crowd on a heeling sailboat:D.
Just wondering if anyone in this group has any experience with these units. How many people are going "Ew-w-w-w-w" right now?
We seriously looked at this option - they have a little fan that goes 24- 7 to evaporate the fluids. I think from memory, they sit a bit too high on the cabin sole...
In the end it was easier to stay with the tried and unreliable manual pump...
S.V. Wind Star
Rob & Margie Kyles: Auckland ,New Zealand
Mk I Hull #105 1983 Std Rig, Std Keel
Yes, they do have that fan, but you can use a solar powered vent and then that fan doesn't have to be run, unless of course the sun didn't shine for a day or two. The height does seem like it might be an issue though.
We fitted a solar fan in front of the head ceiling hatch which lasted about a year - so it was replaced under warranty and that lasted the same :( So I put a plastic low line dorade instead with a screw in plug. Kind of put me off the fan in the composting head idea - though they may be better quality and longer lasting.
S.V. Wind Star
Rob & Margie Kyles: Auckland ,New Zealand
Mk I Hull #105 1983 Std Rig, Std Keel
The one in the unit we looked at is a plain jane computer muffin fan and those things last for thousands of hours. But a computer doesn't contain you know what! Though having fixed thousands of them over the years, there is some weird stuff that gets in there!