Composting Head Step

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capestarr
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Posts: 20
Composting Head Step

I would appreciate getting pictures or other information on how you fabricated and installed the step that goes in front of the composting head.

I am replacing the manual toilet, holding tank and associated plumbing with an Airhead composting head.

In addition to the Airhead composting head I want to add the step. The Airhead company has a picture on their web site of an Airhead toilet on a Catalina 36 https://airheadtoilet.com/testimonials/catalina-36/
 but it does not go into specific details on how the step is installed.

The Airhead Composting head is taller than a standard marine head and adding a step is recommended.

Thanks for your assistance with this.
John
My boat:
1985 Catalina 36
Hull Nbr 397

Barber
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Joined: 5/15/20
Posts: 23

Not much to contribute right now but I recently bought a Nature's Head composting toilet I need to install in the coming weeks. I also have the issue with the new toilet being quite a bit higher than the original one.

I'll probably end up using a plastic stepping stool like you get from IKEA, Squatty Potty or similar. Just need to find out what fits best in the space available. I'll share pictures here when done.

1989 Tall rig #964, Seattle

Lanealoha
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Joined: 2/13/20
Posts: 76

Cool!  Well this will be fun to see.  Our electric toilet decide to eat itself last week before a little 4 day outing.  We had been hemming and hawing about a composting head and, well, this forced our hand!

We ordered the c-head composting toilet.  It is the same height as our current head but the foot print is a bit larger (front to back) and it too recommends extending the front of the pedestal.  So...we will be joining in this fun project as well.  Should be cool to see what we all do.  88' Catalina 36 for us.

David Lane
S/V Grace
88' Catalina 36'
Oxnard, Ca
 

Barber
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Posts: 23

I installed my Nature's Head composting toilet just in time for a weekend cruise. The main issue as can be seen in the picture is that it's way too tall to just replace the original Jabsco. In the picture you can also see a 7" Squatty Potty stool which makes it somewhat usable. On the plus side we really liked the experience of having a composting toilet and forgetting about sewage smells, pumping out and the occasional overflow through the vent...

I have started the process of rebuilding the toilet platform to be as low as the hull allows, which should reduce its final height by about 4". I can share a bit of the process if there's interest.

1989 Tall rig #964, Seattle

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capestarr
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Joined: 12/8/18
Posts: 20

Thank you so much for the info on the Squatty Potty. I will definitely be giving this a try.

Barber
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Joined: 5/15/20
Posts: 23

The standard Squatty Potty is 7" but there's also a 9" model. IKEA also has really cheap plastic non-slip stools. I believe 10" is the tallest one: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/bolmen-step-stool-white-90484673/

I think a movable plastic step stool is better than any fixed solution because it's more versatile. For example you can move it away from the toilet and sit on it to shower.

1989 Tall rig #964, Seattle

Lanealoha
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Posts: 76

So I have just pulled out the old electric head, all associated plumbing and removed the holding tank.   Its amazing how much room we now have with the holding tank and plumpbing removed, once I pull macerators out and pumps for the electric head inflow I will have more room.  

So we went with the C-Head composting toilet and it looks great, simple and very clean.  Here's some photos of the install.  We toyed with position on the pedestal for quite a bit to see what seemed the best and we liked the idea of having it more square to the wall which is angled and immediately to your right when you enter the door.  It provides hand holds via the standard one to the aft on the bulk head as well as the sink, it makes you feel locked in there.  Anyways, if we don't like that after a bit it will be quite simple to turn it to the traditional orientation.   The head itself is only 15" tall, we don't need a step for our feet, only the 13 y/o kiddo's feet don't quite reach the ground, but its a simple fix as others above have noted with the squatty potty or any small step.

 

David Lane
S/V Grace
88' Catalina 36'
Oxnard, Ca
 

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capestarr
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Joined: 12/8/18
Posts: 20

Thanks for the great pictures and the advice on the squatty potty.

I too have removed all the old plumbing and the holding tank. Lots of extra room as a result.

I removed the macerator and overboard discharge  seacocks and thru hulls. I am having the boatyard glass over the old  holes for these items

Lanealoha
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Posts: 76

Great.  Ya, I'll be figuring out what to do with all those thru hulls.  Not sure when I'll be hauling the boat out next, so I'll probably be living with them for a while....

David Lane
S/V Grace
88' Catalina 36'
Oxnard, Ca
 

pierview
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Joined: 9/27/09
Posts: 582

This type head seems to save a lot of space but.... what do you do with the compost.... it's gotta go someplace .... do you have to empty it out like the old potables?

Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ

blobaugh
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Joined: 4/1/21
Posts: 26

The wife and I had the Nature's Head composting toilet on our liveaboard powerboat for 3 years. I wrote a review of it on my website, including what it is like emptying it. Super easy and clean to do if you use properly sized garbage bags.

https://ben.lobaugh.net/blog/202996/natures-head-composting-toilet-review

In fact, she liked it so much that when we bought Shadow she asked if a composting toilet would fit! Following this thread closely :)

BTW- I work from home from home, and my wife was a nurse on night shift, so it got a TON of daily use. Even with it being our primary toilet, the solids bin still lasted us a month between changes. On a cruising sailboat you might get away with a few months between changes.

Ben Lobaugh
s/v Shadow
1987 MKI #724
Tacoma, WA
Cruising and Racing

Lanealoha
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Posts: 76

Yes.  It has to be emptied out.  I don't know what you mean by 'the old potables'.  I'm assuming you mean those portable ones that essentially have a mini holding tank on the bottom that needs to be emptied.   These toilets have 2 'holding' tanks one collects the urine and can be easily transported to be dumped in a toilet if at a dock or simply poured overboard while under way and appropriate.  For the solid waste, it is mixed with a drying agent, coconut husk or some other organic material, about every few weeks you'll have to do something with it.  Many ways to handle it, in the end,  its up to you to determine whats appropriate.  Removing all the plumbing and holding tank and pumps has opened up tons of space and will allow me to get rid of at least 2 of the 3 thru-hulls.

David Lane
S/V Grace
88' Catalina 36'
Oxnard, Ca
 

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Sajanim
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Joined: 5/19/18
Posts: 9

I Installed our Natures Head last year on Xena. We took a piece of 1"x 24"x24" Teak purchased from Lowe's, ($36) and cut it down to 22"x12". We used the excess cut material and made a foot bar that we mounted on the bottom of the teak with a stainless steel piano hinge. We then mounted it to the side wall with Marine hinges. We installed an elbow catch to hold it in the up position should the shower ever be used, something we have never done, but the Admiral insisted was necessary. The step, as I call it, is in the down position almost all of the time and I have to admit I like that it can be folded up and out of the way. I will try to post pics when I come back from the Boat next week.

Troy
S/V Xena
2002 Catalina 36 MK II
Hull #2103
Seward, Alaska

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Sajanim
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Joined: 5/19/18
Posts: 9

Sorry for the delay updating this post with pics. This is the completed step as installed on Xena. I noticed a mistake in the origional post, it was cut down to 24"x12". It could be cut a bit shorter as you can see in the photos. 
Troy

Troy
S/V Xena
2002 Catalina 36 MK II
Hull #2103
Seward, Alaska

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capestarr
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Joined: 12/8/18
Posts: 20

This is a follow on to my original  question on a step for the composting head.
After considering various options for the step I went with the potty stool instead of a step. I bought the potty stool at Target.
I did however have a 3/4 inch piece of starboard cutout by the boat yard which I mounted the Airhead toilet on as shown in the below picture.

The starboard is needed to support the liquids tank on the front of the toilet. The manager in charge of the boat yard's woodworking shop convinced me that starboard was a better option than plywood or other wood product.

I've had the toilet in operation for two months as of the date of this post. All aspects of the toilet including mounting on the 3/4 inch starboard and squatty potty have worked well. There is no head type odor in the boat or in the head for that matter even when I first open up the boat after its been closed up for several 90 degree plus summer days.

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