[GUIDE] How to use a marine toilet on a boat?

Comfort on board, Marine WC

Before setting out as a sailor, mastering the use of equipment such as marine toilets promotes the smooth running of your cruise. For aesthetic reasons, marine toilets exist in various forms. They each have an operating mode adapted to their structure; what sets them apart from each other. Each model has both advantages and disadvantages. To avoid possible plumbing failures, it is essential to make good use of this equipment. Discover in this article the different types of marine toilets for boat and how to use a marine toilet. But first, we explain the principle of a marine toilet.

What is a marine toilet for a boat?

A marine toilet is a piece of toilet equipment that can be installed on board a boat. Besides serving for the various needs of travelers, it also plays an important role in internal decoration. Several types of marine toilets are available on the market, and you have the choice between different models therefore. We find Manual toilets, chemical toilets and electric toilets. Several brands offer all the different models of toilets available on the market. The most famous brands are:

Dometic marine toilets

Jabsco marine toilets
Johnson marine toilets
Osculati marine toilets

Albin Pump marine toilets
or the Lalizas marine toilets

These brands are cited for illustrative purposes only. In order to be able to use it properly, you must understand the principles of a marine toilet.

General operation of a marine toilet

The mechanism of operation of a marine toilet varies according to its structure. The drainage and evacuation system of water and residues, however, remains a parameter common to all models of WC. In addition, there are different types oftoilet installation within a boat. As for the water in the toilet, it comes from a clean water tank, or from the sea, via a pumping system. Bowl water, on the other hand, is drained to a black water tank or in the sea with a macerator or a crusher. Make sure you have mastered the operation of your toilet before setting out to sea.

How to use a chemical marine toilet?

The chemical toilet is generally made up of two parts. The first, known as the “upper part”, represents the flushing system, and serves as a clean water tank. It is also provided with the support on which the buttocks are placed. Below, you have the lower part containing the product for cleaning and the material tank. The two compartments are separated to allow you to empty the material tank when it fills. The use of this model of toilet must be accompanied by blue chemical. It is used to break down feces into a liquid substance to facilitate emptying. In addition, the blue product acts as a deodorant, and scents the toilet automatically. We recommend the use of ecological and self-degradable DOMETIC tablets so as not to contaminate the marine environment.

The particularity of chemical marine toilets is that they are mobile; you can therefore move them easily. It is for this reason that they are suitable for small boats and coastal sailboats. You will find chemical toilets at all prices, from the most basic to that with an electric flush!

NB: On the other hand, they are not suitable for long trips on board a ship, because the storage tanks are limited.

How does a manual marine toilet work?

It differs from toilets installed in houses, by the absence of flushing. The manual marine toilet consists of the bowl and the water pump which replaces the flush. The pump is equipped with a manual lever which triggers the drainage of the bowl. The installation system of this WC model is based on the clean water and black water tanks. By means of a pumping mechanism, the water is drained from the water tank to the bowl, and the waste is discharged to the second tank.

One of the advantages ofuse of a marine toilet manual is its low power consumption and less expensive installation costs. Moreover, it is suitable for long trips when accompanied by large tanks.

However, the problems encountered with this model of marine toilet are not the least. It requires a lot of maintenance for long term use. Also, the pumping system does not limit water consumption. This defect leads to the depletion of the water in the tank and the advanced filling of the black water container. This is why we advise you to opt for a marine toilet that pumps water directly from the sea. In addition, manual marine toilets are known to quickly become clogged after poor handling or lack of maintenance. the mechanism of a marine toilet manual is the most complex of all.

This is why it is imperative to properly brief your passengers before their first visit to the toilets of your boat. To do this, tell them to follow this procedure:

Turn the pump selector to position it on the clean water tank (or on the seawater pump).
Pump using the handle until the bowl is a little full (do not fill the entire bowl to save water and do not fill the tank with black water)

Turn the pump selector to position it on the black water tank (or on the sea drain in the case of a pump with a macerator or a crusher).
Pump using the handle until the bowl is empty and add 5/6 more pump strokes to push the waste from the pipes to the black water tank.
Return the pump selector to neutral so as not to have any odor or seawater rising.

In order not block or damage the mechanism of a manual marine toilet, you will also need to tell your guests to:

Never force the pump handle.
Do not (or little depending on the model) use toilet paper.

NB: The hand pump often breaks due to too vigorous use of the handle. We therefore recommend that you have a spare if you are going on a long journey ...:

Finally, you should know that manual marine toilets are divided into two main categories: classic marine toilets and compact marine toilets. But don't worry, they work the same. Compacts are just designed for small spaces:

In the classic range, these three manual marine toilets are recommended:

How does an electric marine toilet work?

The Electric marine toilets are a plus for life on board. Indeed, the structure of an electric marine toilet is much closer to that of domestic toilets. It is fixed to the ground and generally linked to an electric generator. Its installation system is similar to that of manual toilets. Indeed, the electric toilet is generally connected to a clean water tank or equipped with a seawater pumping system. Then, the evacuation system is made to a black water tank. Very easy to use, it is often equipped with with a button which triggers the filling or emptying of the bowl. It's easy to guess how does a marine toilet work electric. In addition, this type of device is often equipped with an integrated macerator or grinder, which allows waste to be discharged into the sea. There are four main categories of electric marine toilets operating on the same principle:

Compacts designed for small spaces:

see the Albin Pump compact electric marine toilet

The classics you should already know:

Top of the range for maximum comfort:

See the Osculati 24V high-end electric marine toilet

The high-end compacts to combine comfort and small spaces:

See the Albin Pump compact premium electric marine toilet

To learn more about all these brands, you can read our comparison of marine toilets.

Some tips for the correct use of a sanitary facility for boats

Before using a marine toilet, the first thing to do is to identify the type of toilet installed in the toilet.
Then, we must seek to understand its operating mechanism to empty the bowl.
Manual marine toilets are the most complex to use, and the least durable. It is therefore necessary to follow the instructions provided in the "user manual of a marine toilet" to understand how to use a marine toilet of this type.

So that your marine toilets last over time, do not forget to maintain them well. We recommend that you lubricate the toilet and the valves with a special grease.
Whatever the model, we recommend using the ecological disinfectant for marine toilets YACHTICON Purytec. It will guarantee easy and optimal maintenance of the WC over the long term while respecting the environment: