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The Different Types of Marine Heads

If you’ve ever enjoyed fishing, cruising or family boating in a Stacer Sea Runner boat or a Stacer Crossfire, you will know that a boat with a toilet (also known in 'marine speak' as 'heads') is infinitely better than one without. However, given that water, energy and space are all at a premium on a boat, you need a loo that is built for a purpose; so, what does it involve?

The most basic function of a marine head is not only to hold in contents but to also evacuate the contents of the bowl in a single flush, rinsing the bowl to reduce staining, and preventing the odours to reach the bowl from the holding tank.

The absence of a sewerage system on a boat means that waste needs storing until the boater can take it ashore. Every traditional boat toilet, therefore, functions by flushing the waste from the bowl into some form of holding tank. That will either be a portable tank that needs to be manually carried to a disposal point on land for emptying or a larger built-in tank that is emptied by connecting a suction hose at a shore-based pump-out facility to your boat’s external outlet. For obvious reasons then, marine loos are broadly categorised as either cassette toilets or pump-out toilets.

Other features of a marine head can ideally involve minimal noise, water usage and electrical draw, alongside sensible proportions, easy installation and straightforward maintenance.

3 main types of marine heads exist in the market. These heads have varying features that can be suitable to particular types of boats. These toilets can be found in marine boat stores, hardware shops, or online stores.

Cassette Toilets

A cassette toilet is simply a loo with a removable waste tank. Although there is a great deal of variety, it comes in two basic forms: integrated, which is already built into your boat as a permanent fixture, and freestanding, a toilet that you can tuck into whichever corner suits your fancy. For the integrated cassette toilet, the rinse water can be taken from the boat’s water system, whereas in the latter, a limited quantity of rinse water is contained in the upper seat and bowl part of the structure.

The cassette toilet encompasses everything from a simple two-part box that stows away beneath a seat to far more elaborate models, with swivel seats and electric flush that in appearance closely resemble your toilet at home. A lot of people swear by cassette toilets for their affordability, their simplicity and their reliability. They require very little space or upheaval on board your boat. The fact that you can transport your waste tank to a disposal point is also an advantage in some people’s eyes and the fact that the use of these disposal points is usually free is also a bonus.

Pump Out Toilets

The pump-out toilet abandons portability altogether. Instead, it uses a larger holding tank that is permanently fixed to your boat. This means that, when the time comes to empty it, you need to use a marina’s pump-out facility. There’s no smell in emptying the tank. They either come in porcelain or a plastic model. They look more or less like the toilet you use at home.  

The pump-out toilet comes either from a unit where the tank sits directly beneath the toilet or with a remote tank, where the waste has to be transported away by pumps or vacuums via a pipe network. They can often involve a macerator, which chops the waste into smaller parts before sending it through the pipes. This of course is in a bid to prevent blockage, but you still need to be careful to use only the bare minimum of lightweight, biodegradable toilet paper or you could well incur a blockage that requires expert attention.

Pump-out toilets tend to be relatively complex and expensive compared to cassette toilets, but there are plenty of people in the boating world who would be reluctant to opt for anything less.

Other Alternatives

Liquid chemicals are the primary method of dealing with the smells that inevitably occur when waste is stored in a tank. They can either be put directly in your waste tank or they can be mixed with the toilet’s rinse water. There is also the emergence of several more sustainable nitrate and enzyme-based alternatives that aim to replace these chemicals by speeding up the decomposition process. Aside from that, some toilets resemble a lot like a cat’s litterbox; it’s known as the composting toilet, which uses sawdust or peat moss to dry out the waste, which negates any smell and renders it harmless. These toilets use no water, they require virtually no maintenance and there is no prospect of blockages. More to the point, you can dispose of the waste by chucking it on your flowerbeds. Their size does tend to limit their usability on smaller boats but their appeal is steadily growing.

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How to Optimize Storage Space on a Boat

Sailors and everyone living in offshore homes have pioneered many advancements in small-space living. Bobbing beside a dock or anchored in a marina, sailboats, houseboats, and small yachts use clever designs to make the most of a few square feet. If you want extra space in your boat to accommodate more passengers, read this article to know how to save space in your boat.

Secure Your Gear

Do you want to secure gear and supplies in a visible location within reach? You can work wonders with inexpensive items like gear ties, carabineers, bungee cords, cargo nets and hook and loop fasteners. In the galley, cargo nets are great for overhead storage of fruits and vegetables, ready for the chef to grab. Bungee cords work well for securing windbreakers up against a bulkhead. Want to set your coffee cup down on the table and not have it tip over? Try sticking hook and loop material to its underside with the corresponding hook and loop mating surface located on the table and in other strategic locations around the boat. Have fun, use your imagination and you will find interesting ways to secure all kinds of gear.

Install a Small Charging Station

It’s best to place all gadgets in one place so they don’t tend to scatter around the boat. If you need to charge phones, laptops, and other gadgets at the same time, designate a small area in your boat where you can use it as a charging station. You can confine this on a counter or even a drawer. Install multiple outlets in one place. Make sure you also have a chord organizer where it can hold chords neatly.

Use Collapsible Containers

Your kitchen, or a galley, is definitely one of those areas in your boats where a lot of items are stored or placed. To save space, collapsible containers for everything from bowls to measuring cups. When you need the containers, you have them in their full size, but when you need to store them on board, you can collapse them, so they easily fit in drawers and other small galley storage spaces. You can use canvas baskets as your collapsible storage spaces. You can fold it up and keep it up if they are not in use.

Make Use of the Wall Space

To add aesthetics to your walls, use functional décor. There are a lot of beautiful hanging organizers or wall racks that not only add beauty and charm to your boat but can also maximize the wall space that can also use to store your belongings.

Use Foldable Furniture

To save more space in your boat, use furniture that can be folded and kept aside. A foldable table, seat, or bed is beneficial for space in your boat. These allow you the convenience of foldable furniture as well as the use of the space when these items are stowed. Cup holders are also helpful to keep drinks within reach and make a difference when every iota of space matters.

Find a Boat with Floor Storage

If you’re still looking for a boat and you’re in the market planning to purchase one, find a boat that has underfloor storage. Underfloor storage gives you extra space and it’s also completely out of sight Stacer’s Wild Rider boat range has underfloor storage where you can store other items in your boats such as fenders, angling gear, and other boating accessories.

Organized Anglers Catch More Fish

If you have a fishing boat, organizing your tackle onboard will help you to catch more fish. Where not already installed, consider a set of flush-mount rod holders. Offshore fishing boats benefit by installing "rocket launcher-style" rod holders to keep rods out of the way but also rigged and ready for action. Rod holders can also be installed overhead inside the boat's cabin. You can buy them in marine boat shops.

Multi-Use Products Save Space

Choose products and gear that serve multiple purposes or are designed to take up less space. For example, use multi-tools, that include pliers, cutting blades, screwdrivers, files, etc. These products help you save a ton of space in your storage areas.