Composting Toilet on 310? (2000-2010)

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Larry Warren

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Jul 25, 2021
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I intend to purchase a used 310 cruiser in the Southeast this September. Will I be able to replace the marine toilet with a composting toilet like Nature's Head? I have owned several boats in the past and prefer the composting head.
 
Interesting plan. Probably not the direction I would go, but I'm not you and my opinion isn't important!

You'll be the best judge of whether or not you can install it, given the space in the particular boat you're looking at - you didn't mention the year.

However, the info about that on Amazon says: "Easy to install by any reasonably handy person." So... are you that person? Honestly, though, I'm not sure there's a better way to answer your question. Can it be done? Sure, pretty much anything can with enough patience, money and know-how. Only you know if you can do it, though.

FYI... you should start looking now for boats... you might find one by next season!
 
Composting toilet? Isn't that just kitty litter in a plastic bag or is there an actual composting process that occurs?
 
Sundancer said:
Composting toilet? Isn't that just kitty litter in a plastic bag or is there an actual composting process that occurs?
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Google it if you are really interested. They are $1,000 plus toilets for some higher end boats.
 
Of all the things to be investing in when looking for a new boat….pulling the holding tank and plumbing to be composting would not be on my list…think resale. Having had several composting toilets on your past boats would make you the expert here
 
Not what I would do it either, but my opinion is not relevant. I would recommend keeping the the vacuflush head and not removing the holding tank, pump, macerator etc. Pretty sure you will want to put that back when you go to sell at some point.
 
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BillK2632 said:
Not what I would do either, but my opinion is not relevant. I would recommend keeping the the vacuflush head and not removing the holding tank, pump, macerator etc. Pretty sure you will want to put that back when you go to sell at some point.
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You don't remove anything but the toilet, seal off the hoses and mount the composting toilet. Toilet cost about $1000 and installation $500 to $1000. That way, if the next owner wants to go back to the conventional rig, it's quite easy. I realize that many of you do not have background or interest in this subject, but I was hoping to find someone who did it .... Believe me, I've seen all the elitist and misinformed comments on other threads about these toilets. My simple question was will it fit in confines of the 310 head, as the toilets are a bit larger than the stock toilet
 
Larry Warren said:
You don't remove anything but the toilet, seal off the hoses and mount the composting toilet. Toilet cost about $1000 and installation $500 to $1000. That way, if the next owner wants to go back to the conventional rig, it's quite easy. I realize that many of you do not have background or interest in this subject, but I was hoping to find someone who did it .... Believe me, I've seen all the elitist and misinformed comments on other threads about these toilets. My simple question was will it fit in confines of the 310 head, as the toilets are a bit larger than the stock toilet
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Coming from an elitist as you call us conventional toilet people…..you would be the best person to answer your own question….. and by elitist you are saying a mans toilet is his throne right ?
 
Larry Warren said:
You don't remove anything but the toilet, seal off the hoses and mount the composting toilet. Toilet cost about $1000 and installation $500 to $1000. That way, if the next owner wants to go back to the conventional rig, it's quite easy. I realize that many of you do not have background or interest in this subject, but I was hoping to find someone who did it .... Believe me, I've seen all the elitist and misinformed comments on other threads about these toilets. My simple question was will it fit in confines of the 310 head, as the toilets are a bit larger than the stock toilet
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Holy crap….so you are going to pay $2,000 to fertilize your roses?…. I am assuming you are going to take your crap home of course ?
 
What is your reasoning for putting in a composting toilet? If its for environmental reasons then it seems odd to put a environmental device in a fossil fuel guzzling plaything. Seems more like a sailboater thing to do. Or is there another reason?
 
Larry Warren said:
You don't remove anything but the toilet, seal off the hoses and mount the composting toilet. Toilet cost about $1000 and installation $500 to $1000. That way, if the next owner wants to go back to the conventional rig, it's quite easy. I realize that many of you do not have background or interest in this subject, but I was hoping to find someone who did it .... Believe me, I've seen all the elitist and misinformed comments on other threads about these toilets. My simple question was will it fit in confines of the 310 head, as the toilets are a bit larger than the stock toilet
Click to expand...

You might check on some of the sailing forums -- I know from following a couple of sailing youtube channels, there is a sailing couple "Sailing Soulianis" that replaced their holding tank system with a composting toilet. One of their episodes was about the swap. I think this type of head system is popular with the cruising sailor crowd. I do know they are larger than a traditional head, so checking for fit would be important.
 
Based on Washington State the US has a very good pump out system. They even have sites to pump out your bilge. Both are free. I saw one boat with a composting toilet it had a 6" vent stack. The marina put the boat at the end of a dock as it was an experience to be near it. You may first want to find a marina that will accept you with your modifications.
 
I think all toilets must be vented, but perhaps the vents on the composting toilet are not "neighbor friendly", I don't know. If that were true, of course I would not get it. My problem is that I had a 34 ft catamaran that we lived on for 3 years. The marine toilet was a disaster. Leaked, hoses were saturated, very complex valving, etc. Plus, where we were pump outs were very limited and several were inoperative.

From the posts I have received here, it seems like the power boat owners think I'm an idiot, and frankly most of the praises I have seen for the composting toilets have been from RV or sailboat owners. I'm still learning, but based on my disaster with the catamaran, I hate the thought of 25 gallons of poop slurry, sloshing around in a chop AND the thought of the holding tank about 1 foot away, beneath the V-berth, well I'm still learning about the composting toilet. Almost all the RV and Sail owners say there is a smell, but it's like fresh dirt, not offensive. Perhaps it's offensive to slip mates.

My original question was will the "Natures Head" toilet (https://natureshead.net/) fit in the Sea Ray 310 head, but responses received thus far here, have me wondering about other issues that have been mentioned.
 
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I don't see anyone here calling you names. I specifically responded asking if you were comfortable in your skillset to do the work. It seemed as though you were wondering if it was simply possible and the answer is, as I said, it can be done - but you have to look at the system you are thinking about and the space available in the particular model you choose. YOU are the best one to make this call.

Sea Ray's don't use a holding tank near the berth. There is a holding tank in the bilge where everything gets flushed to. The vent is plumbed through an activated charcoal filter to help with the smell. It's a really good system - called Vacuflush - you can do some research on that, if you want.

But, also as I mentioned, if this is what you want - go for it. Your rig, your call, you know? It's not a problem to get others opinions, though, right? It's possible that something might be brought up that you weren't aware of.
 
As far as venting goes, yes, vacuflush systems have a vent for the holding tank which the contents smell like anything but fresh dirt. Its a horrible smell but is mitigated with a carbon based vent filter. Maybe you could make a similar set up for the composting toilet if you do commence with the install & find the vented smell is too strong.
As far as space goes, I believe the 310 is similar to my 330 as far as the head set up. It is considered a "wet head" where the head & shower are one. There is a step up that the head sits on. This may be your biggest obstacle to the install as that elevated "shelf" is not very big. I would look into the dimensions of the unit you are looking to install & get a measurement of this upper shelf location that supports the current toilet.
Also, not being familiar with the composting head myself, is it ok if the unit gets wet? My toilet gets soaked when we shower so just another thing to consider. If it doesn't work out, the vacuflush system is not bad if it is maintained. I have heard some horror stories about them but, mine is from 1997 & in the past 11 years I have only changed the duck-bill valves & otherwise have had pretty good success of function over the years. Good luck on the project!
 
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I did the research, read how they work, how you have to empty the urine more often and I don't think I want to come face to face with my "stuff" every 2 or 3 days on the urine or every 10 to 12 on the "other" stuff. A little longer on the #2, but you still have to empty it into a bag or "retrieve" a bag and carry it to a dumpster. There is definitely an odor! As far as garbage goes, wouldn't it be better to allow the marina/city to care for it as sewage than to have it carted to a dump in a bag? I honestly don't know. Just throwing that out there.

It's totally up to you, but I don't see any beneficial reason for doing it! I rescued an Arctic Fox trailer from a guy that was about to put one in. I'm glad I did! I'd rather dump and run the traditional RV way! Dumping it in a bag OR emptying the urine side into a bag or having it overflow and and have it running on the floor of the RV (And YES, that occurs!) is not something I really want to experience! I'll pass, but you can do whatever you want! I just don't think I have the stomach for it.
 
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