[Tutorial] How to change a marine toilet on a boat?

Comfort on board, Marine WC

Did you know that it is possible to change your marine toilet yourself, without the help of a technician? The process ofinstallation of a manual or electric toilet on a boat or sailboat is simple and doable by everyone. However, before proceeding with this operation, you must familiarize yourself with the various steps, as well as the appropriate working material. How to install a marine toilet? In this extract, you will find the list of essential tools for assembly and dismantling a marine toilet. We then explain the method to follow to change a marine toilet on a boat.

Contents of the page

What tools will you need to replace a marine toilet on your boat?

Usually theinstallation of a marine toilet when you want to change another. Thus, it will be necessary to carry out a marine toilet disassembly operation before performing another assembly.

To disassemble a marine toilet, the tools you will need are:

an adjustable wrench
a cap fitted with a gasket
water pump pliers

a container to hold drained water
a screwdriver to unscrew the nuts
a ratchet

adhesive tape.

After disassembly you will need the following items for the assembly of a new marine toilet:

a bowl

a black water tank
of inlet pipes et Release as well as hose clamps
a flushing mechanism (manual pump or switch)

a fixing pack for the tank and for the bowl on the ground
the flap (often optional).

Also consider installing an anti-siphon elbow if the location of your marine toilet is below the waterline or below the freshwater tank:

The different detailed steps of the process to change a marine toilet on a boat.

As mentioned above, the renewal of your toilet marin manual or electric marine toilet can be summed up in two stages: the dismantling of the old one and the assembly of the new one.

Disassembly of the installed marine toilet

This operation takes into account the preparation and the actual disassembly step.

Preparation for disassembly

The first action to be taken before any intervention is to shut off the water at the general shut-off valve.
Then, flush the toilet to evacuate the water from the marine toilet, and put a container under the water inlet of the toilet.
Remove the tank cover.

For the rest, keep the float valve by unscrewing the water inlet with the adjustable wrench.
Also unscrew the tap to stop the flow of water.
Finally, close the water outlet pipe using the plug.

Disassembly of the manual or electric marine toilet

The tank is usually fixed to the ground using nuts. Thus, to dismantle the marine toilet, locate these nuts then unscrew them. You can now move the marine toilet, but be sure to empty the remaining water in the toilet.

To dismantle the toilet bowl, first remove the screw covers that serve as a cover for the screws fixing to the floor.

Then unscrew them using the ratchet. Remember to empty the bowl towards the siphon before pulling it towards you to remove it from the drain pipe.

Finally, to avoid the diffusion of unpleasant odors, put adhesive tape on the evacuation pipe.

Assembling the marine toilet

The next step in the process of changing a marine toilet is assembly. It can be summed up in six phases:

Preparing for the installation of a boat sanitary : it consists of checking that all the elements you will need are there.
Assembling the flush: start by installing the flush mechanism. Usually, assembly instructions are provided. You just have to follow the instructions.
The installation of the toilet on the ground: once you have defined the location of the marine toilet, position the toilet in the location to identify the places where the fixings will be made. Then remove the marine toilet and drill holes according to the number of joints planned. Replace the marine toilet and check that everything fits together perfectly.

Assembling the drainage and water inlet pipes: this phase consists of connecting the bowl to the drainage pipe. Then connect the water supply.
Installing the toilet seat: use the instructions to understand the process. Once it is in place, check that the movement is reversible.

Once all the installations are done, flush the toilet to make sure you are in good condition. operation of the new marine toilet installed.

Additional equipment to be installed on a marine toilet

Before storing your tools, we recommend the application of the ecological disinfectant for marine toilets YACHTICON Purytec on your water supply. It will guarantee easy and optimal maintenance of the WC over the long term while respecting the environment:

Purytec 250ml replacement cartridge

In addition, it is advisable to install a odor filter on your black water tank. Finally, the last accessory that we often forget: the brush holder for marine toilets (it remains attached to the wall whatever the sea state)!

How to transform a manual marine toilet into an electric marine toilet?

To change a manual marine toilet into a toilet marin electric, all you have to do is mount a WC conversion kit. The first thing to do is therefore to buy a kit that adapts well to your marine toilet and to the space you have. Once the kit is in your possession, refer to the instructions to install it.

The difficulties encountered in changing a marine toilet

When changing your marine toilet, you will be faced with some difficulties.

As an example, you have the jets of water that occur during the dismantling a marine toilet. To prevent this from happening, always be sure to close the valve before starting work.

In addition, it may happen that the bowl refuses to connect to the pipe. Thus, to work around this problem, you must connect the drain and the water inlet before fixing the toilet to the floor.

The choice of a new marine toilet is also not always easy. Here are some benchmark brands on the market: Jabsco, Albin Pump, Lalizas, Johnson Pump marine toilets and even Osculati marine toilets. There are also other brands such as Matro, Lavac, Dometic and RM69 marine toilets. To see more clearly we wrote a comparison of the best brands of marine toilets.

Our advice for using and maintaining a marine toilet

Once the marine toilet is installed, it must be well maintained. Regular cleaning is sufficient. Also remember to lubricate your marine toilet as well as the valves if they squeak with a special grease for sanitary ware.

The most important thing is to properly maintain your black water tank (and fresh water if you have one connected to your marine toilet). It is recommended to use in the black water tank of the YACHTICON Purysan Ultra. It prevents the formation of unpleasant odors and breaks down feces and toilet paper.

In addition, it is recommended to clean the tanks at least once a year before wintering. At this time, use YACHTICON Puryclean to clean and disinfect the waste water tank. But don't use it for the clean water tank! Indeed, use Yachticon Pura Tank instead. It cleans algae and germs that proliferate in freshwater tanks, their pipes and the pump without leaving any taste or smell.

Equip yourself with a Yachticon Pura Tank 500mL (this allows to treat 160 liters)
Yachticon Pura Tank 5L (to treat 1600L)
Yachticon Pura Tank 10L (to treat 3200 L)

Finally, the use of a manual marine toilet is often complex for novices. They tend to force the hand pump and often break it ... So don't forget to brief your guests before they use the toilet. You can send them our article '' How to use a marine toilet on a boat?'so that they read it at the appropriate time! We also recommend that you have a spare hand pump on board if you are going on a long trip…: