Porta Potty - How Necessary?

golf101 · Feb 4, 2009

I'm looking at my first boat purchase and looking in the 20-24 foot range for either a deck boat or a bowrider. Some have heads and some do not. I have not been a big boater in the past, and have no feel for how much we would actually use the head if we had one. We will likely be boating with my family (wife, and 3 kids aged 8 - 13), and likely one or two of their friends of about the same age. Some people I've talked to say they have never used the heads on their boats, but some dealers have told me it's a necessity for me given my planned use. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated in helping me narrow down the boats I'm looking at for purchase.

tashasdaddy · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Porta Potty - How Necessary?

we have one in our deckboat, kids, you cannot control when the have to go #2, #1 you can put a PFD on them and throw the overboard. also on cooler days, the wife will be mush happier, with a potty. and we all know when mom's happy everyone is. bears do it in the woods, kids & wives don't like it. i personally rarely use our, off the swim platform works for me.

when we grew up with outboards, and splash wells, the girls use the splash well.

Utahboatnut · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Porta Potty - How Necessary?

Here in Utah if you are beach camping for more than the day, it is a law you have a porta-potty of some kind. Some lakes are somewhat lax about it but some come around every day to check and will issue a ticket if you don't have one. The biggest reason it's like that here is because lake levels can change SO MUCH from year to year. One year your trip to the woods, will be the beach the next year. I have even seen some porta potties that are nothing more than a 5 gal bucket with a liner. when finished remove liner throw away and be done, no clean out etc.

Ron Everson · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Porta Potty - How Necessary?

With all the rules and enforcement at Lake Powell, I still found beaches seriously fouled with human waste last year. Please get a portapotti and use it. I know they're a pain to have to deal with - one more thing to empty and clean after every trip. #1 goes over the back, #2 in the portapotti. Although , if your mate is modest, she'll appreciate the potti for both.

RWilson2526 · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Porta Potty - How Necessary?

Kids and a wife........gotta have it.

arks · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Porta Potty - How Necessary?

Basic math.
Small kids (<12 or so) + full day on the boat = POTTIE!
No question about it.

tashasdaddy · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Porta Potty - How Necessary?

i'm going to get killed for this. but this is my sister, on the bow ladder, guess what?? getting rim of used beer.

she is not shy, was broken in as a kid using the splashwell. porta potty is in cabin under port windshield.

triumphrick · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Porta Potty - How Necessary?

There is an age that either above or below will require the use of a porta potti. If you have female guests aboard, they will probably appreciate that they don't have to go "take a dip" to relieve themselves. Also, older folks seem to like having and using one.
It would seem that the kids would appreciate it, since it may be hard for them to "perform" while being dangled over the stern, pants around their ankles. Or being ushered into the water to do their duty.

PS: Geeez, TD, throw that lady a rope...seems like she could use some help!!

Rocky_Road · Feb 4, 2009

Re: Porta Potty - How Necessary?

I got to ask this....

I can't picture anyone, over the age of about 6, willing to use a Porta-Potty...in an open bow (deck) boat! What is everyone else supposed to do...'promise' to face south, until the deed is done?

You need to get rid of the beer on my boat...you have to be willing to get wet. 'Boys night out'...then you just better know which way the wind is blowing!

ziggy · Feb 4, 2009