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What’s the Best Toilet Paper for Your Marine Toilet?

25th Jan 2022

You’ve just installed your new marine toilet and you’re ready to set out for an extended voyage. Everything is ready to go except for one little problem…

You forgot to buy toilet paper.

No problem, you think. Just swing by the grocery store and grab a package on your way to the docks. Toilet paper is toilet paper, right?

Unfortunately, no. Using the wrong paper could leave you with a clogged marine toilet at the worst possible time. Make sure your voyage remains a safe and sanitary one by choosing the right marine toilet paper for the job.

Not Just Another Toilet

Marine toilets are extremely reliable and can manage waste effectively, but your on-board septic system isn’t quite as hardy as your home plumbing. That’s because while your home toilet empties into a 4” wide drain, marine toilets plumbing is only 1½” wide. Given those dimensions, any inorganic material flushed down the drain will quickly create blockages that can seriously damage the pump or even crack the porcelain throne.

A good rule of thumb , of course, is to simply avoid using the marine toilet as a trash can. Things like paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and antibacterial wipes, for instance, should never be flushed down your marine sanitary system under any circumstances. These heavy, nonbiodegradable items are certain to cause blockages.

Toilet paper is the one exception to this rule of thumb, but don’t go thinking that you can simply grab a few rolls from your bathroom closet before heading out on the boat for the weekend. Although household toilet paper sheets are technically biodegradable, they’re designed to break down over time within a septic tank or sewage system, not a marine holding tank. When toilet paper doesn’t dissolve quickly enough, it accumulates in clumps that can easily clog up your marine sanitation system.

Marine Toilet Paper vs Regular Toilet Paper

The safest bet is to ensure your toilet remains in good working order is to only use one of the many marine toilet paper brands available. You can usually find a package wherever boating supplies are sold or from most online retailers.

Although it may look (and feel) identical to household toilet paper, marine toilet paper is specially designed to dissolve more rapidly and is 100% biodegradable. You can find it in both 1-ply and a more comfortable 2-ply thickness. Since RV septic systems face many of the same challenges as marine systems, most brands can be safely used in both.

Dometic Ultra 2-ply marine toilet paper is a good example of a specialized tissue product that’s designed to break apart quickly to maintain optimal toilet system flow. Made with 100% recycled fibers, it provides the comfort of household toilet paper without the same risk of creating clogs.

Can You Use Household Toilet Paper in a Pinch?

While marine toilet manufacturers recommended using only marine/RV toilet paper, there are plenty of times when you may be setting sail on short notice and aren’t able to find the right toilet tissue. Luckily, there is a simple test that can give you an idea of whether or not that roll of “off the shelf” toilet paper is likely to create clogs.

For starters, don’t bother with 2-ply or quilted household toilet paper. It’s simply too heavy-duty for your marine toilet system to handle and is sure to cause a blockage of some kind. However, inexpensive 1-ply tissue is often lightweight enough to break down quickly, provided it’s 100% biodegradable.

Here’s a quick and easy way to test your toilet paper:

• Get an empty glass jar
• Fill the jar at least three quarters of the way full with water
• Insert two sheets of toilet paper
• Shake forcefully for 30 seconds

If the toilet paper is shredded and dissolving into the water, it should be safe for your marine toilet. For a more thorough test, you can place a wad of toilet paper (about as much as someone might actually use) into a jar of lukewarm water, stir for five seconds, let it soak for five minutes, and then stir it again for five seconds. If the paper hasn’t turned to pulp before the five-minute soaking period ends, you probably shouldn’t risk flushing it down your marine toilet.

Following these basic guidelines will help you keep your marine sanitation system running smoothly whether you’re using a manual or electric flush system. Keeping your plumbing free of clogs ensures that you’ll enjoy many years of worry-free voyages.

For more information about how to best care for your Dometic/Sealand toilet or other components of your marine sanitation system, talk to the team at Environmental Marine today.

• #Boat Toilet Paper
• #Dometic Toilet Paper
• #Marine Toilet Paper

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• Marine toilet: how to use it

One of the important amenities on a boat is the toilet, known as a "head". Everyone can use one at home, but marine toilets are very specific. So, what different types of toilet can you find on a boat? How do you flush it? What can or can't you put down the toilet? How do you avoid spilling the contents of the tank, or sort out a clogged toilet? We'll be answering these questions and more.

How to flush the toilet: mechanical versus electric toilets

Two main types of toilet can be found on a boat: mechanical or electric. Flushing an electric marine toilet is simple. You'll usually find two buttons either marked "fill" or "drain". At the touch of a button, you can effortlessly fill the bowl with water and flush it all away.

With a mechanical toilet, it's a bit more involved and you'll need to know more about how it works. Next to the toilet bowl there is a hand pump and then a switch to change between 2 processes (filling and draining). To use it, you'll need to set the switch and then manually pump the handle up and down until the process is complete.

No matter whether it is electric or not, the method of using the on board toilet is as follows:

• Fill with the water.
• Do your business
• Pump out the water

If you'd prefer an electric toilet when sailing, we recommend renting the latest boat models. With boats from 2005 and older, you can usually forget about it having an electric toilet. The most luxurious yachts come with toilets that work on the vacuum principle (VacuFlush).

Mechanical marine toilet

What you shouldn't put down the onboard toilet

Some modern boats have an integrated shredder, with manufacturers claiming you can also put toilet paper down the toilet. However, we strongly advise against doing this. Many times we've seen some poor person having to take a clogged toilet apart to clean out the pipes. And it's really not pleasant for anyone. So if you're wondering where to dispose of used paper, we recommend buying smaller trash bags to place next to each toilet which you can then throw away regularly. Those of you who have ever spent a holiday in Greece will know all about this system.

So what shouldn't you flush down a marine toilet?

Toilet paper

• Pads or tampons

And we'd be very careful with food scraps.

Heeling and valves: beware of leaks

No valve in the world is 100 % leakproof. And that also goes for the valves on board. If you're heeling too much, the contents of pipes, such as waste pipes, can spill out. Apart from being disgusting, large amounts of water can also damage the boat's equipment, not to mention short-circuit the electrical wiring. So if you are expecting an exhilarating ride, close all the valves on board that could potentially cause a flood in the bathrooms. Valves are usually located under the floor near the bathroom, but inquire about their location when you check-in.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Remember that each bathroom has its own valves. So if you have a boat with three toilets, you will have to close 3 separate valves.

What to do if it won't flush

When a toilet can't be flushed, it is very unpleasant. There can be several reasons for this, so let's look at them and do a bit of troubleshooting.

1) The valves are closed

This usually makes the hand pump very difficult to operate and feels like it's springing back. Solution? Open the valves, but do nothing by force.

2) Too large or solid stools

In the long run, we would advise you to eat more fibre, fruits, vegetables and improve your drinking regime. However that won't help with a clogged toilet. What may help is to try to soak the waste a little with warm water from the shower. This should help soften it so it can pass through the narrow pipes. If that doesn't help, you can also just wait a bit of time for it to naturally break down a little.

3) The pipes are blocked

This is the worst-case scenario and means that the entire toilet system needs to be dismantled. On charter boats, you don't often have any spare parts with you to do this competently, so it's best to contact a mechanic somewhere in port. Expect to pay for this service.

What do you flush with?

Water, of course. But the question is really where the water comes from. On some boats this is from the sea, meaning it is in unlimited supply, whereas on others, it is water from the tank. In this case you'll need to monitor how much you use. Find out about the whole process and method of flushing at check-in.

Use the marina whenever possible

Most marinas have toilets, showers and other sanitary facilities. When moored ashore, we recommend using them.

Over the railing, yes or no?

There is a big debate over this topic, mostly amongst men and sailors who race. It's true that about 90 % of the male population will simply pee over the railing and not go down to the bathroom at all. However, there are skippers who consider such behaviour to be a sign of disrespect for the boat and the marine life. We'll leave it to you, to make up your own mind.

Emptying the waste holding tank

Charter companies will want the boat returned with an empty waste tank. But according to international conventions concerning ecology, you shouldn't dump faeces into the sea near the coast. This is because it pollutes not only the sea, but also the beaches and the coast. In practice, most sailors solve this problem by discharging the waste tank somewhere a little further offshore just before returning the boat. Of course, there is usually a marine pump out station at the pier for you to empty it, although this is not a very common practice on the Adriatic.

Pump out station for waste tanks at the marina.

What happens on board, stays on board

Be prepared for the fact that the walls and doors on a boat are made of relatively thin wood. As a result, many of the sounds that take place behind cabin or bathroom doors can be heard almost everywhere on board. But don't worry too much about it... we are all human. One recommendation we have though is not to comment on the "performances" of other crew members behind closed doors in any way. It doesn't matter whether it's noises emanating from the bathroom, sounds of sexual passion or even snoring. As they say among sailors "what happens on the boat, stays on the boat".

I can help you choose the right boat for your holiday. Contact me.

Denisa Nguyenová

Faq how to use the boat's toilet.

Sanitary towels or tampons

The Best Toilet Paper For Your Boat

The other day, I was walking down the dock and saw a woman with a Ziploc bag full of toilet paper (not on the roll, if you get my drift). I was curious and asked, to which she replied, “We do not put any toilet paper in our head.” I had not heard of this practice before, so my initial response was surprise. She explained that there were four adults onboard, which meant that they would have to untie or pull anchor every couple of days to empty the head. Without putting toilet paper in the head, they could almost triple that. I could see the argument, but wondered if this process just created more garbage aboard. That aside, it got me thinking if toilet paper really does take up that much room in a holding tank. If it does, which is the best toilet paper for boaters?

As with most potentially lifestyle-altering decisions, I poured a libation and set off down the dock to find my friends and get to the bottom of this. I explained what I had just witnessed, and the group was quite shocked, except for one woman, who I had been boating with forever. “Same here, no TP in the head,” she countered. How did I miss this? She started to explain that they originally used a marine-specific, one-ply toilet paper but found that it was far too thin. The crew voted and preferred to use regular land-based toilet paper, which filled the head very quickly, so they opted not to flush. However, they kept the one-ply onboard for guests, which made me laugh. Also, it’s good to know.

According to a study by Charmin toilet paper company, the average consumer uses 8.6 sheets per trip to the washroom; that’s a total of 57 sheets per day, with a typical roll lasting five days. Nowadays, pretty much all toilet papers break down well in septic systems. However, thinner is better. A one-ply toilet paper will break down much easier and is best in recreational vehicles and boats. It isn’t as soft or thick as household toilet paper, but it is much friendlier to your holding tank. Also, specially called biodegradable toilet paper dissolves faster and requires less water than standard toilet paper. Remember that in addition to the head itself, your system may have a macerator on the pump, which empties the holding tank. It is important to use toilet paper that dissolves quickly so it doesn’t form clumps, clog the system, and block efforts to empty the holding tank.

All these claims and theories called for some scientific data. I asked the group what brand they use and chose three different ones to test: Dometic SeaLand one-ply rapid dissolving, Majesta Soft E-Z fl ush, and Purex Premium toilet paper. It was time for a rolldown. We lined up three clear glasses filled with water and dropped two sheets of each brand in its own glass. With a quick swirl, we could see that all three were starting to dissolve. We waited. After 20 minutes, we could see that all three brands had done a pretty good job of breaking down. However, we decided to lift out the blob and see if it was really dissolved. Immediately, we noticed that the SeaLand weighed twice as much as the other two and seemed to take up more space. Very interesting.

There is a quick and easy trick to figure out if your favourite brand of toilet paper is marine-friendly:

* Take an empty glass or jar * Fill at least three-quarters full with water * Put in two sheets of toilet paper * Stir or shake vigorously for 30 seconds

If it is shredded or beginning to dissolve, you know it is safe for your marine system. You can also leave the TP in the jar overnight and see if it has dissolved.  For an example of a non-marine-friendly paper, try this same test with a Kleenex.  It remains intact and looks like one mushy glob just waiting to clog your marine head!

Now that we had established the dissolvability and macerator-friendly qualities, it was time to look at what we were actually putting in the pump-out tank or flushing in the ocean. I was shocked to find that some of the best-selling toilet paper and paper towels are not made using sustainable processes. Also, many contain toxic dyes, bleach, and perfume. Not good. Sustainable process products that use recycled components avoid harmful bleaching processes or engage in more sensible practices include Seventh Generation , 365 by Whole Foods, Who Gives A Crap (love the name), Trader Joe’s regular toilet paper (US), Earth First, and Cashmere/Purex EnviroCare. Seventh Generation is made from 100% recycled paper with no added dyes, inks or fragrances. Another option is Caboo toilet paper, which is made from bamboo and sugarcane.

Products that rely on forest fibre and have a much larger carbon footprint include Kirkland, Charmin Ultra, and Quilted Northern. For a one-time-use product, it seems ridiculous to me that we should be cutting down trees only to flush them down the toilet.

When I stopped that woman on the dock, I had no idea what I was about to learn. That is the beauty of the curious mind. Sometimes, I buy products based on price or in bulk at Costco, but that is about to change. I am going to pay immediate attention every time I buy toilet paper for both my boat and my house. As Maya Angelou says, “When you know better, do better.”

Greenpeace lists the best toilet paper for the environment. Many of them, including Seventh Generation and April Soft, are one-ply, 100 percent recycled versions that are septic-safe. For more environmental ratings on toilet paper, check the Natural Resources Defense Council ratings .

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Best boat toilet roll and other practical ideas for the heads

• February 22, 2021

How using the wrong toilet roll could be blocking your heads, plus a holding tank air filter, professional grade scrubbing towels and more...

A blocked toilet onboard your boat is to be avoided at all costs and one of the worst culprits is the use of standard toilet paper that contains glue (even the recycled stuff apparently)!

One of the reasons conventional toilet paper is prone to block marine toilets and holding tanks is that most loo roll contains a plastic-based glue.

This is what causes the tendency for it to clump together in a pulp in the toilet pump, pipework or holding tank. It also results in an estimated 20,000 tonnes of glue being flushed down Britain’s toilets each year. And all that plastic will eventually escape to the environment.

UK company Tanki has won the Maritime UK 2020 Innovation Award for its solution to this problem: loo roll that’s made without glue, so it breaks up as soon as it’s submerged in water.

Unfortunately it can’t be made of recycled materials, as that’s when glue to bind the material together is particularly important, but Tanki is made from sustainably produced paper stock. The feel is indistinguishable from most conventional brands.

• Buy Tanki glue-free toilet roll on Amazon

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Wave International Waveair filter

Holding tank vent filter

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Price: from £42

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Scrubs in a bucket

Disposable scrubbing towels

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This feature appeared in the January 21 edition of Practical Boat Owner . For more articles like this, including DIY, money-saving advice, great boat projects, expert tips and ways to improve your boat’s performance, take out a magazine subscription to Britain’s best-selling boating magazine.

Subscribe, or make a gift for someone else, and you’ll always save at least 30% compared to newsstand prices.

See the latest PBO subscription deals on magazinesdirect.com

Can You Flush Toilet Paper On A Boat?

• Post Written By: Boater Jer
• Published: April 17, 2020
• Updated: July 8, 2022

Disclaimer: You might notice that we recommend products in some articles. We may earn a commission for referring you if you click the link and buy a product.

We only recommend products we’ve tried/tested/own (that’s why you won’t find thousands of affiliate links on my site). If you have experience with one of the products we’ve mentioned, please share your experiences in the comments at the end.

So, you’re going out on a boat and you really can’t hold it.  There’s a small bathroom but can you flush the toilet paper? How do these things work on a boat anyway?  Can you flush toilet paper on a boat?

Most boat’s marine toilets, also called a ‘head’, are able to take small amounts of toilet paper.  It is best to use thin, biodegradable paper to help avoid the possibility of clogging the system. After all, calling a plumber out to a boat can be costly.  And fixing it yourself can be kind of gross to say the least.

Let’s take a look at the different kinds of toilets that are found on boats and a little about how they work.  That way you know what you’re getting into if you happen to be looking to add, replace, or upgrade an existing head.  But, more than likely you’re just curious, as I was, about how these things work. So, join me on this journey into the loo, as they say in jolly old.  Let’s chat a bit about how the toilet on a boat is going to differ from your boat back home.

How A Marine Toilet Differs From Your Toilet Back Home

The whole concept with any marine toilet is that they are not hooked up to a sewage system or a septic system like a house is.  You have to be conservative with its use and with flushing anything you don’t have to. If it’s a portable (cassette) toilet, you’ll need to empty it by carrying the tank on shore to be dumped at the approved site.  You don’t just flush and walk away like it was someone else’s business, not like you can at home.

The other consideration with marine toilets is that they can not only get clogged easily, but they also use considerably less water than your toilet at home.  That means two things. First, it won’t be as much stored in the waste tank. Second, there won’t be as much water to clean the bowl with every flush. So, that means you have to clean it more than you would your toilet at home.

The takeaway here is that if it’s a portable (cassette) toilet, then use as sparingly as possible as it needs to be emptied by hand.  

Pump-out toilets are a bit better, but the tank will still need to be emptied at some point.  This is usually done by the boat captain or owner, and not as frequently as a cassette toilet.  But, we should jump into what each of these toilets is and a bit about how each works.

Different Types of Marine Toilets

On most smaller vessels which have an onboard toilet, there are only a few common types that are readily available.  I’ll go over a few of these, but if you want a really in-depth look down the pipes, take a look at my article on catamaran bathrooms .  

To give you the basic run-down, there’s two major groups of washroom toilets you’re going to find on a boat.  The first is called a cassette toilet. These have a removable storage tank that you have to physically remove and haul onshore to empty.

The second type is known as a pump-out toilet.  Just as the name sounds, these toilets have a holding tank of some sort that requires either manual or powered emptying.  There are some oddball new recycling types as well, and I’ll get into each a bit more. Here’s a run-down of the types you might run into on your journeys out on the water in a smaller boat.

Cassette Toilets

Cassette toilets are small toilets that have a removable tank under the bowl where the waste is stored.  They are small, usually relatively inexpensive with the bulk of models coming in at between $100 and $300 dollars, with a few coming in at closer to $1000.  Take a look at the recommendations page for some models I recommend. I also added a few to this page, so you can see what each looks like. Here are a couple of examples from Amazon and eBay.

Here’s the top-rated portable toilet from Amazon .  The price fluctuates but it usually comes in at around a hundred dollars.  It’s fairly comfortable and easy to use. This particular unit is pretty good at holding the smell back, but be sure to bring some air freshener just in case.

Here is another portable cassette toilet.  This model is found on eBay and although I don’t own one myself, I have used this model while on a boat and found it to be quite effective.  Again, you’ll want some air freshener, but that’s the case with any portable toilet. This one is pretty decent though, as far as portable toilets go, for holding back the smell.

Pump-Out Toilets

Pump-out toilets use a separate holding tank that does not get removed like the portable toilets waste tank does.  The pump out toilet is set up in conjunction with a waste tank and a water tank. The water tank adds water for the flushing mechanism and the waste tank holds the waste.  The toilet is ‘flushed’ by operating the pump feature either manually or electrically. Most pump-out toilets are set up directly above the tank so gravity and a small pump for the water is used.

These types of toilets are typically permanent installations on boats. The pump-out toilet is the most common type of permanent toilet solution found on most boats with an equipped washroom.

The toilet itself is relatively inexpensive, but the installation including the tank can be much more money due to being fairly labor intensive.  You want to make sure it’s installed correctly, for obvious reasons. Here are a few models from Amazon that rate well with those who have purchased them.

Manual Pump Toilets

There are two types of pump-out toilets, or marine head as they are often called.  The first is the manual pump-out. This type uses a manual pump to provide the flushing action.  The toilet is easy to use and pumps the waste either into a holding tank, or overboard (depending on how it’s setup, and where the boat is located, of course).  You can see a few of the manual models in the Amazon strip above. They are the ones with the black handle to one side of the toilet bowl.

Electric Pump Toilets

Electric pump toilets are just like the manual toilet with a big exception.  They use an electric pump in place of using your own power to pump a handle up and down to flush.  In essence, the electric pump toilets are the most similar to your toilet back at home in that they provide a minimal amount of work to operate.  

These toilets again dispose typically into a holding tank, but can also discharge overboard, just like the manual pump toilet.  Make sure you abide by dumping laws though, it’s a huge fine if you dump overboard in inland waters or within several miles of the coast, if memory serves.

Composting Toilets

The above picture shows my personal preference for a composting toilet for a boat.  Nature’s Head Self Contained Composting Toilet (from Amazon) with close quarters spider handle design is perfect for an environmentally conscientious boater.  These toilets are easy to set up on your boat and there’s no problem running a vent off the side to keep the smell down.  

Here’s a few more composting toilets from Amazon that are also highly rated.

That’s pretty much it for the three main types of marine heads you’ll run into on smaller vessels.  And yes, you can flush toilet paper on a boat, just don’t go crazy on the amount.   But, there are a few things you’ll want, even if you are going on someone else’s boat.  Take a look at a few of the things I recommend for your bathroom adventures.

Recommended Additional Gear

Using a portable toilet when you go camping?  Make it a portable outhouse with one of these pop up privacy portable outhouse or shower tents.

“I recommend these tents.  I’ve used both of these models and they work great, especially in bug season.  Just one catch. Bring an Air Freshener.” Farmer Jer

Portable Bathrooms

There’s nothing like bringing along a portable toilet on a small boat and there’s no bathroom.  Well, fear not because you can bring a pop-up tent bathroom with you!

The WolfWise Pop Up Privacy Shower Tent Portable Outdoor Sun Shelter Camp Toilet Changing Dressing Room as found on Amazon .  What a great idea.  Just pop up your own personal privacy shower or bathroom anywhere you want.  Bring your portable toilet and you’re all set.

Talking about ventilation, no need to worry about keeping the air flow going.  The venting on the Wolfwise Pop Up Privacy Tent is fantastic to say the least. I really like this tent.  It takes my top pick for a privacy tent for a portable bathroom. And it’s so quick to set up, you can bring your bathroom anywhere you can carry it.

• Portable and lightweight at only 4.8 lbs
• UPF 50+ & Water Repellent
• Spacious at 47.2” x 47.2” x 74.8” tall.  Plenty of room.
• Comes with a side bag and even a clothesline.

The other portable bathroom tent that I’ve also tried I found on eBay .  It’s another good quality, easy to assemble and lightweight portable bathroom for the discerning adventurer.

Air Fresheners For Portable Toilets

Yeah, these are a good idea with any of the models of boating marine heads you go with.

Marine Grade Toilet Paper

Whether it’s your boat, or someone else’s, be a good traveler and bring some dissolving RV & Marine Toilet Tissue from Amazon.  This stuff works well and helps keep the boat from getting clogged up pipes. And, it’s soft. That’s the important thing, that it’s nice and soft.  

Marine Grade Ultra Soft Toilet Paper from Amazon is my choice for toilet paper when I go boating or RV’ing. The last thing you need is to be out on day one or two with clogged pipes. There goes your time out on the water when that happens. Trust only marine grade toilet paper and keep your pipes clean and clear.

For more recommended gear, take a look at my recommended boating gear pages.

Take a look at the Boating Guide Magazine’s

RECOMMENDED Boating Gear

You’ll find everything from Fish Trackers and GPS to anchors and tow ropes. We have either owned and tested or have a close friend who owns and has tested the products and services we recommend. There is no crap recommended on Boating Guide Magazine, we stand by that.

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• Tags: boat toilets , marine head , marine toilet paper

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Onboard Toilet Use

Believe it or not, the onboard toilet use is one of the priorities when it comes to behavior on a sailing yacht. Yacht toilets are relatively small and uncomfortable. And their flushing system and outlet are quite complex and sometimes even problematic.

How Does A Yacht Toilet Work?

How to use onboard toilet.

Most of sailing yachts offered for charter provide manual toilet flushing systems. They are quite reliable , but still one has to be careful when using it. Beside every manual flushing toilet, you can easily spot a handle. It is usually on the right hand side from the lavatory seat. The handle is to be used for flushing the toilet, but there is one trick before you start doing it. There is a switch just above the handle. It has two positions. Right-hand side position of the switch is so-called ‘stand-by mode’. In that position the water intake valve is not working, making the toilet safe from clogging. When you are done with what you were doing, switch it to the left-hand side position. By doing that, the water intake valve is open, allowing seawater into the lavatory.

Start pumping vigorously and you will see the water filling the lavatory and covering the results of your previous action. At the same time, the entire content of the lavatory will start getting out of it. After you pumped it for about ten to 12 times, put the switch in the right-hand side position and repeat the pumping. Now, you will support outlet without pumping in additional water. Repeat the complete action (both sides of the switch) for at least three times. Have in mind that outlet hose is quite long and curvy, so it takes more effort and pressure to flush the yacht toilet completely than you might think. When you think there was enough pumping, do the sequence one more time, just in case.

What If Onboard Toilet gets Clogged?

The only material which can be in the lavatory is one processed by your body plus the toilet paper. Make sure that you do not throw too much toilet paper at a time. Do not forget that clogged onboard toilet is much greater trouble than you think. Not only it is very complex and unpleasant to clear it up, but you could also easily be fined for a clogged sailboat toilet.

One might think that electric boat toilets are better and more comfortable solution. On the contrary, electric sailboat toilets are even more complicated than the manual ones. They use two pumps (one for water intake and one for outlet) and spinning knife system. Throwing toilet paper in electric toilets is absolutely forbidden because it gets stuck around knives by default. That means that you should install extra bag for used toilet paper in the toilet and change it daily.

On the other hand, pushing electric boat toilet too much can easily kill the pumps which is something that you want to avoid. Not every electric boat toilet uses seawater for flushing, so ask about the system while doing a check-in. In case your boat toilets use fresh water, you should know from which water tank, so you can control the water consumption precisely. Think twice before you decide to use onboard toilet, it is not ‘a piece of cake’.

The third flushing system I have seen in use on the yacht so far is the vacuum flushing system . It seems to be the most efficient, but it is much more expensive than the two systems, so one can see it only on exclusive and very luxurious yachts.

Where Does Toilet Waste Go On A Boat?

Once we solved the technique to flush the boat toilets, we should think about where all the sailboat toilet contents go. Classic flushing system considers direct outlet to the sea. It means that flushing the toilet is not recommendable when staying in the calm bay, especially when someone is enjoying a swim around the boat. You should also try to avoid it when moored at a marina – use public facilities . Recently made yachts have waste tanks. Still, not all toilets are connected to them, so make sure that you ask about toilet installations during a technical check-in procedure.

Make sure that you empty waste tanks on the daily basis or whenever you think it is necessary. Again, you do not do it neither on the anchor nor at the marina. Do it underway, far from the coast. The brimming waste tank might burst or even explode. I believe I do not have to explain what it means.

Going for a sailing trip is quite a project, so is the visit to the toilet on board a sailing yacht. General advice would be to use onshore facilities whenever it is possible.

I wish you calm seas, fair winds and a strong mast!

1 thought on “Onboard Toilet Use”

I bought a small boat that is not equipped with onboard toilet, I was thinking of designing a toilet seat that holds a compostable bag under the lid, the bag is then tied up and placed in the household garbage for the day, and then into the refuse bin at the marina. Would this be a problem? Thanks

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Toilet Paper Origami Boat

Toilet Paper Origami Boat Instructions

• Lift up approximately one and a half “squares” of toilet paper. Fold the two corners down so the edges meet at the center.  
• Lower the toilet paper back onto the roll.  
• Fold in the left and right edges a little. The amount you fold-in is up to personal taste. If you fold-in a lot, the sail of the boat will be narrow. If you fold-in a little, then the sail will be wide.  
• Valley fold the bottom part of the toilet paper up so you have a triangle.  
• Roll the toilet paper down a little so the triangle is centered.  
• Fold up the bottom edge of the triangle. The amount of paper to fold is up to personal taste; a narrow fold will give you a shallow hull whereas a wide fold will give you a deeper hull.  
• Mountain fold the left and right side of the hull of the boat made in the step above. This shapes the bow and stern of the sailboat.  
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The Boat Galley

making boat life better

Prevent a Clogged Head/Toilet on Your Boat

Published on March 22, 2013 ; last updated on January 20, 2023 by Carolyn Shearlock

Is preventing a clogged head as simple as changing what you do with toilet paper? Yes.

You’ll be a lot less likely to have clogs if you don’t put toilet paper down the head.  Instead, do as people in many parts of the world with undersized sewer systems do:  use a lidded wastebasket lined with a plastic bag, and burn it or otherwise dispose of it daily. A few drops of eucalyptus oil or other air freshener will cover any smell.  Tell guests with a polite sign in the head (see below).

Yes, this is a photo of the head in our first boat, Que Tal (we now have a composting toilet on Barefoot Gal).  We always put the TP in the trash and so did almost all cruisers in the Sea of Cortez; the joke was that when we’d make a trip to the US or Canada, we’d have a hard time remembering to flush the TP!

I know, a lot of people are going to say “yuck!” and others will say they’ve flushed the TP for years without a clogged head.  Dave’s and my feeling was that inasmuch as Que Tal had only one head, and neither one of us was very wild sweating over an un-flushed toilet in 90+ degree temps, and even less wild on the idea of having to use a bucket during the process, not flushing was the way to go.  If you’re willing to risk having to unclog it — in most cruising locales you can’t just call a plumber and let them deal with it — your choice may be different.  I’ve also heard of boats that allow flushing but impose a 2-square limit . . . I find that idea MUCH more repulsive than putting it in covered container!

Here’s a close up of our sign — we had two copies of it, one above the pump handle and one where they’d see it while sitting on the toilet.  Of course, your flushing instructions will be different but it’s good to post them (ours were particularly strange due to a strange siphon break).  Every head is slightly different and even other cruisers may want instructions on how to use yours.  We had the signs laminated so they’d last longer (as you can see, it’s time to re-do them!).

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Reader Interactions

Debra Perfitt on Facebook says

March 22, 2013 at 6:08 am

Good idea. It’s a worry when you have guests onboard how to explain potty training.

Jan Irons on Facebook says

March 22, 2013 at 6:52 am

Love the sign. We’ve never put TP in the head, but had the TP trauma earlier this week anyway! Solved now though! 🙂

March 22, 2013 at 8:28 am

Here in the Philippines not flushing TP is standard. Initially I was surprised at the lack of odor expecting otherwise. Apparently the TP removes the moisture from the fecal matter on the paper by capillary action relatively quickly and this prevents odors.

The use of TP is a luxury for most in third world countries and they use a ‘tabo’ – a plastic sauce pan as a dipper to rinse with; pouring with one hand while washing with the other. Not having mastered this trick as I am new to this procedure, I have modified the rinse procedure by using a small plastic watering can with the sprinkler removed to provide a more controlled stream of (sea) water – I just fill the can on the way to the head. This eliminates the whole hassle (and expense) of buying and storing TP. One never thinks of this while in first world countries as we have been taught differently our entire lives.

AKMary says

March 22, 2013 at 9:54 pm

Burce – After your rinse, do you drip-dry? Use a towel? Thanks.

Anonymous says

May 10, 2018 at 1:16 pm

I would add that in the “first plus world” (obv Japan) the exact same water technique is used except with a small pressurized hose. There is an Asian saying that may be TMI but here goes. “Wipe with paper—never clean.”

“Toilets in Japan are generally more elaborate than toilets in other developed nations” citation below.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilets_in_Japan

March 22, 2013 at 9:14 am

My sign says:

“Nothing goes in the head that hasn’t been eaten first.”

“Gentlemen Please be seated.”

On the lids of my toilet paper cans it says:

“Toilet paper here. There are no plumbers at sea.”

Carolyn Shearlock says

March 22, 2013 at 9:43 am

Great signs!

Gail Johnson says

March 22, 2013 at 11:23 am

Why do you put your finger over a hole?

March 22, 2013 at 11:32 am

It’s a weird siphon break that I’ve never seen on another boat.

November 16, 2013 at 6:01 pm

We have to put the finger over the hole in the siphon break too. We put a blob of bluetac over it when we have guests and discreetly check after they gave been to the head.

November 16, 2013 at 7:02 pm

May 10, 2018 at 8:32 am

Does the siphon break create a sinking prevention advantage?

May 10, 2018 at 9:44 am

Jorge Bermudez on Facebook says

March 22, 2013 at 11:37 am

A Lavac head! Love it!

The Boat Galley on Facebook says

March 22, 2013 at 11:43 am

Yep! We hadn’t used one before we bought Que Tal, but loved it. In almost seven years, our only repair was to replace the gasket/seal on the lid once.

March 22, 2013 at 11:45 am

My wife loves it because you don’t have to get close and personal. Just close the lid and goodbye!

March 22, 2013 at 1:20 pm

March 25, 2013 at 7:35 pm

AkMary – it depends, a smart finger flick will get rid of most of the drops and then the boxers get damp but soon dry in the heat; in a swim suit it makes no difference but if more layers the dampness usually doesn’t show and is soon gone. If you were worried about a damp spot showing, you could use a towel – but that raises complications: does everyone use the same towel? separate towels? (more washing) – so far the towel thing hasn’t been an issue. Probably a personal preference thing.

March 27, 2013 at 8:42 am

I find that a can of Coke in the head once a season clears any blockages. To make the pump run smoothly use 1 Tbsp cooking oil in the bowl & flush through.

Christopher Rasch says

November 16, 2013 at 10:17 pm

What do you think of composting toilets like Nature’s Head:

http://www.natureshead.net/marine.html

November 17, 2013 at 6:27 am

I’ve used various brands of composting toilets on friends’ boats (we didn’t have one) and talked to many others about them as well. Everyone who has one seems to like it — the biggest thing seems to be finding the absorbent material (whether it be peat, coconut husks or something else) in some out of the way places. One friend uses sawdust which she says works well and they’ve been able to find everywhere.

If they’re done right, there isn’t any smell and there is nothing to clog. Just have to find a place to dispose of the bag. From what I can gather, a composting toilet is legal in no discharge zones where you otherwise have to show proof of pump outs (but don’t just take my word on this — check where you are and where you plan to cruise — as I did a quick general check, not specific to any particular place).

Sherry Stewart Haught says

November 17, 2013 at 11:45 pm

Where do you burn it?

The Boat Galley says

November 18, 2013 at 1:51 am

We’d burn it with the rest of our burnable trash (or if you’re in an area with good trash disposal ashore, you can put it with the rest of your trash). More on how we burned trash: https://theboatgalley.com/burning-trash/

Verona says

January 26, 2014 at 11:25 pm

A tablespoon of vegetable oil every day or so in in the head, does wonders in keeping the seals lubricated and makes the flushing job a lot easier!

Jorge Bermudez says

October 24, 2014 at 10:10 pm

That looks like a lavac head? I don’t understand the finger over the hole instructions. What is that all about. I have a lavac on Skalliwag-no hole.

October 24, 2014 at 11:27 pm

It’s in the anti-siphon valve, non-standard, and the anti-siphon works so well that it won’t draw water unless you cover it up. Since no one else has ever seen anything else like it, have to give directions or else it won’t flush.

Carlos Nunez says

October 24, 2014 at 10:18 pm

no TP in the head and vinegar twice a year to brake up the calcification from the salt water

David Grimm says

October 24, 2014 at 10:37 pm

When we first started sailing we just got into the habit of not putting TP in the head.

Jane Gammons says

October 24, 2014 at 7:09 pm

Carry a bottle brush for use in cleaning the head. It also helped us one evening with a friend who had some constipation problems and clogged the head. It got pushed thru, Ok, maybe TMI but it happened.

Mary E Dixon says

October 25, 2014 at 12:09 am

Since I put my arm & hand to the bottom of the full holding tank & pulled a clog from the pickup tube everyone is banned from flushing tp. Yuk.

October 25, 2014 at 12:46 am

I just can’t “Like” that. Yuck is right!

Florian Wolf says

April 19, 2017 at 2:11 am

I am currently going along the same route with our ‘posh electric toilet’ that my sweetie so much wanted (grrr,,,), with the only difference that the lovely toilet paper dumped in the bowl subsequently ground the macerator to a hold & subsequently burned out the motor. Now I have to take the whole shit (literally…) apart, fix what I can fix, but most likely will use the whole shebang as a ‘boat anchor’ & replace it with a lovely, mechanical all bronze & porcelain pump toilet w. walnut seat, manufactured by Sands in the US in 1924 & lovingly restored by me. On a 1923 ship THIS is appropriate, not the modern electrical crap manufactured by GMC & others. And as of today no paper will ever again go down the hole, but only into an appropriately labelled bin. scented bin

Burt Tandy says

August 22, 2018 at 3:23 pm

The one thing most dealers of electric toilet and most skippers won’t talk about is how solid solid from a very healthy passenger will sit across the toilet drain or straight as a resisting soldier that no amount of flushing will push down. The other funny and interesting one is the small floating fellow who laughs at you and all your efforts to send him down the drain. In just a few months of use, we’ve had about 8 cases of very embarassing situations, no TP involved in the problem with visitors. Makes you regret the porta potti that you just shake in such a case.

Peter Craig says

October 25, 2014 at 1:32 am

When I bought my yacht, the surveyor/shipwright said the manual toilet was leaking and suggested putting in an electric toilet that I assume macerated the stuff as it flushes it into the holding tank or over the side depending on the settings. As this was my first yacht I just went with his suggestion and had it installed. Do you still have problems with toilet paper with an electric toilet? It also has a macerator to empty the holding tank.

October 25, 2014 at 6:36 am

I’ve never had one so can’t say with any certainty. I know that aboard a friend’s boat, with an electric head, they also follow the no TP in the head rule, but I don’t know if it’s for clog prevention or if they just don’t want it taking up space in the holding tank.

Jeff Janacek says

October 25, 2014 at 6:57 am

I’ve done charters for over ten years and know that the vast majority of my clients would not like this approach. Neither do I, and I’m a farm boy and very familiar to yucky things. We have used Charmin Basic, or some other cheap, one ply tissue for years and never had trouble with the macerator or pump out. We tell folks to use a minimum amount and that if it plugs up they will help us clean it out or go over the side. Peggy Hall’s (Queen of Crap, Head Mistress) test: put a couple sheets in a jar of water and shake it up. If it falls apart, it’s OK.

Debra Adkins says

October 26, 2014 at 5:57 pm

If it didn’t go in your mouth, it doesn’t go in the head!

October 27, 2014 at 8:38 am

I keep a spray bottle next to the toilet and a hanging plastic shopping bag for the toilet paper. Mix about a 10 to 15 % solution of water and vinager and add 3 or 4 oz of dawn to this. Spray toilet after use and paper in bag. No odor, disinfects and lubes toilet.

Cheri Ogden says

October 27, 2014 at 3:07 pm

We have a couple of rules on our cruiser. Even though we don’t cruise great distances, the thought of my husband (yep, I’m not gonna do it) having to work on a smelly, stopped up toilet it not pleasing. Our first rule for people who are on board with us is similar to another posting: “if it doesn’t go in here (pointing to your mouth) it doesn’t go in there (pointing to the head) and secondly our standard rule of thumb is that no toilet paper goes into the head. All TP goes into a plastic garbage bag hanging in the head but we keep sandwich baggies in the head for putting “dirty” TP inside before placing into the plastic garbage bag. I have found this will contain most odors when the garbage is emptied every day or two.

Wally Moran says

January 17, 2015 at 8:50 am

This entire thread is proof that people can get used to anything. I refuse to put TP into a bag for future disposal. The daily aggravation of having to deal with that sort of thing is far greater than an occasional clog – and in 12 years have had one clog, which was due more to calcification in a hose more than anything else. Here’s how you deal – don’t use a ton of paper. Let it get good and wet before pumping it down. Pump ALL the way through to your holding tank (or overboard where applicable). And if worst comes to worst – have an elbow length set of plastic gloves on board… ;>)

January 20, 2015 at 4:40 pm

Wow! Is that REALLY the flush process for a Lavac toilet? What a pita! I have been using a vacuflush for fifteen years as a live aboard. Using normal hose hold tp protocol. Never once a problem–ever.

I had been thinking of switching to a Lavac before leaving for a long term cruise. This article is seriously changing my mind…

January 20, 2015 at 7:32 pm

I think that you mistook my description of flushing a Lavac head — ours was a slightly unusual installation with a non-standard siphon break that required us to put a finger over the hole as we pumped. A normal installation does not have that.

In seven years, we never had a problem with the Lavac head other than once changing the seal on the lid. Never had a clog or had to change the joker valve. Never had a time when it couldn’t be used.

Don’t decide against one based on how we had to flush — look at a standard installation. I’d much prefer it over the Raritan in our current boat!

April 19, 2017 at 2:21 am

Nope – we have an electric TMC too, and it will go flying out of the ship after TP clogged up the macerator AND THE MOTOR BURNED OUT ! We will go 1924 mechanic (fully restored Sands marine toilet, white porcelain, polished bronze and walnut seat & lid) again and have an appropriately selected bucket with fragrance side by side with ‘the throne’. Not to forget about an appropriately elaborate sign on the wall, probably in brass on a mahogany board or whatever timber fits the bill and looks good. My wife is the modern ‘pooper’, I am quite old-school and have sailed on several bucket and pump-toilet equipped ships – works all fine as long as some restraint and discipline is exercised. The golden rule on the classic yawl I crewed on for many years was: whoever screws up the toilet has to fix it – the verdict was enforced by our not always diplomatic ex-German Navy bosun, and I can guarantee you that this all worked very fine and flawlessly. While I am normally not a great fan of too much inflexibility I must consent that when it comes to the potty on board that’s when the fun stops.

Sax Dearing says

April 18, 2017 at 12:46 pm

A number of companies make toilet paper that rapidly disintegrates in water thus preventing clogging. Bybthe time you finish your business the paper is mush. Thetford is one brand. Seems a simpler solution to me.

Peter Bould says

April 18, 2017 at 1:06 pm

We have been using a TMC electric toilet for 30 years. And flushing the TP. Never had even one blockage. When we first installed I fed almost a whole roll of TP in trying to block it. Nada. Nothing. Zero. Go electric.

Beth Joyal says

December 16, 2017 at 12:27 pm

I have one more thought – on our sailboat Lake Effect *** there is a small sign – “When at sea, we all sit to pee”

Carey Moluchi says

December 16, 2017 at 11:11 pm

I like: “We aim to please, so will you aim too please”

BoBo Bailey says

December 16, 2017 at 12:36 pm

Just use your left hand, problem solved. Millions of Indians agree.

Marc J. Kornutik says

December 16, 2017 at 12:46 pm

December 16, 2017 at 12:56 pm

….and, shake with the RIGHT!

December 16, 2017 at 12:49 pm

Only issue we ever had was visiting teenage nieces years ago. We include paper for solids only (separate paper for pee use only, that gets binned) Since then zero issues in nearly 10 years… knock wood !

Scott Ward says

December 16, 2017 at 12:55 pm

It all goes in the toilet! Anything else is barbaric.

December 16, 2017 at 2:32 pm

I would not say barbaric, but that’s perhaps because I do it and many places I’ve lived, it’s also the custom on shore. No, you don’t have to do it but realize that many people do.

Larry Schwartzbach says

December 16, 2017 at 1:14 pm

Boat Galley -Disagree with your logic on toilet paper disposal – First and foremost use the correct product and you can flush worry free. As a marine tech I’ve had countless heads apart and can count on one hand the paper clogs encountered . Nine out of ten times the culprit is female products .

December 16, 2017 at 2:30 pm

I know some people do. Far more of the people I know do not put TP in the toilet; therefore, you won’t see clogs from them.

Mike Turner says

December 16, 2017 at 3:00 pm

My grand daughter visited and in spite of repeated warnings the seven year old clogged it big time! I’m still trying to make the remainder of the clog go away. I may do it before her next visit!

December 16, 2017 at 3:02 pm

Perhaps we should return to the wet sponge on a stick for sanitary consideration.

Wayne Broadhead says

December 16, 2017 at 4:31 pm

Seven years live aboard. Two vacuflush heads. Cheapest Walmart single ply tissue down the heads and no plugs. We flush each head with lots of water during each pump out. We flush when the tank is empty and there is lots of vacuum. It seems to flush out residue that builds up in the system.

Linsay Patterson says

December 16, 2017 at 10:08 pm

Yes, but when does EVERYONE do it the correct way? I brought in a “2 squares rule”, thinking that some people will always go up to double the limit, and had far less issues after that. But some think it’s just like the one at home!

Gena Beckett Olson says

December 16, 2017 at 2:08 pm

Yep, that’s what we do!

Barb France says

December 16, 2017 at 2:12 pm

After having to unclog twice we follow that rule to the tee!

Paul Sunshine says

December 16, 2017 at 2:54 pm

on the boat next door

Joanne Cannon says

December 16, 2017 at 4:42 pm

The resistance I have gotten from visitors on this has been unbelievable!

Mark DeCicco says

December 16, 2017 at 6:34 pm

YUK save dirty T. P. Bet you have 0 guests. I’ve been Live aboard for years, owned boats with heads for 30 plus years. I’ve had 4 memorable experiences with clogged heads…. never been caused by TP. 1 Lady’s product, 2 by baby wipe, 1 a clogged line saltwater flush “ calcium buildup”

Kristy Dunning says

December 16, 2017 at 7:39 pm

With our composting head, we can put the TP right in, but in our electric flush head we use the garbage can for all paper. It isn’t just us using that head, and we frequently have guests with kids on board… They are notorious for using too much TP, lol. Yes – we have had TP clogs before on other boats before using the garbage can.

December 16, 2017 at 10:06 pm

Too much paper can stuff a head as much as a sanitary product. I’ve had to clear heads due to both issues (Sanitary being the worst culprit). One boat I’m no longer having to repair the head on now has a bin for ALL paper.

December 16, 2017 at 11:10 pm

And never keep Q tips where they can accidentally fall in the bowl! They are now banned from the area………………….

Claire Phillips Hickman says

December 17, 2017 at 3:38 am

Marry a plumber. And we’ve never had an issue. LOL but he has fixed other boat toilets.

Jan New Moring says

December 17, 2017 at 4:50 am

Have owned 5 boats and NEVER put paper down the head. We also have a sign in our head saying if it didn’t come out of your body it doesn’t go into the head! Barbaric or not – guests won’t help unblock the head when it happens. If they don’t like it they don;t have to use it.

Enid Bibby says

December 18, 2017 at 5:23 pm

We fitted a bidet douche spray which minimizes TP use. Beware toilet wet wipes- we also have a bin.

Lester Griffith says

December 19, 2017 at 1:06 pm

Just completed a passage and there was a strict no TP rule. Three days in the Skippers head clogged but the crew head was fine. I do not know if he flushed TP or not, he said of course not. I was able to clear the clog using Dawn dish soap. Hero of the day – me!

Paul Shapiro says

May 28, 2018 at 9:01 am

I’m curious about the hole in your u-tube siphon break. My Lavac toilet has a small plastic part with a very small orifice inserted into a 5mm hole at the top of the fill hose. That small orifice allows the pump to work without pulling in significant air, and when you stop pumping there is enough air flow to refill the toilet and release the vacuum in a minute or two. Are you maybe missing that little plastic insert in the hose?

May 28, 2018 at 3:50 pm

The prior owner had installed it and deliberated created a larger siphon break.

Hector MacNeil says

October 2, 2018 at 8:54 am

I’m curious to know how the Dawn dish soap helped clear the clog. Did you just flush it down the head? What is the procedure? Thanks. – Hector

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Toilet Paper Boat

Ocean, beach, and water-play are common themes for bathrooms, so why not add a sailboat on your toilet rolls. It’s a cute design which you don’t want to flush down the toilet.

Instructions for Toilet Paper Boat

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Boat and RV Toilet Paper

Quick dissolving yet thick and soft! Specifically designed for use in boat, RV and port-a-potty holding tanks. Our marine toilet paper breaks down faster than standard bathroom tissue and won’t clog. 100% biodegradable and eco-friendly. Try this dissolvable toilet paper risk-free for 30 days - love it or get your money back!

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• Dissolves Quickly and Won’t Clog:  This dissolvable boat and RV toilet paper quickly breaks down and is completely septic safe.
• Thick & Super Soft: Premium-quality and lightly textured for an optimal and comfortable clean. 
• Perfect For Boats, RVs or Camping: Can safely be used as marine, RV or camp toilet paper without clogging. 
• Eco-friendly: 100% biodegradable, dye and fragrance-free.
• Money-Back Guarantee: Try it risk-free for 30 days, if you don’t love it - get a full refund!
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we know stuff

A Long Island Parenting Blog

6 May 11, 2015 Crafts

Toilet Paper Tube Boats

“If April showers bring May flowers, why is it raining in May?”

My daughter asked me this the other day and I had to laugh. Spring was late to the party this year and now that it is finally here, the last thing my kids want to see is rain. They spent the winter staring at snow and slush, early spring brought unseasonably cold rainy weather. I completely understood her irritation about the rain. We need sunshine, warm air and barbecues.

We are so ready for it!

Except that it was raining and it was going to be raining the entire day. Ugh. I suggested we do a craft together, but my kids didn’t want to make a craft. They wanted to play outside. The truth was, I wanted to play outside too. I wrangled up some toilet paper tubes and duct tape. As I spread everything out on the kitchen table I explained that we were going to make a craft that we could play with – outside, in the rain .

We sat down and I easily explained this simple little craft. They gleefully started ripping off pieces of duct tape, debating whose boat would be the fastest.  As we learned during our boat race – the shorter and squatter the boat, mast and sail – the easier it is for the boat to stay upright. After we finished racing our boats, we decided to sink them with rocks from the garden.

Every kid loves throwing rocks into puddles – the boats served at the perfect target practice!

TOILET PAPER TUBE BOATS

• Toilet paper tubes

Directions:

Step 1: Cut the tube open. Trim it so the hull of the boat will be shallow. The higher the sides of the boat, the more it will tip.

Step 2: Duct tape the back of the tube, this will waterproof the outside. Take a shorter piece of tape and close the open ends.

Step 3: Cut out matching triangles for the sail, decorate them with crayon. Put a q-tip in the middle of the triangles and using a glue stick, glue the two triangles together.

Step 4: Put a drop of hot glue in the bottom of the inside of the boat and put the other end of the q-tip in the glue.

Step 5: Once the glue is dry, your boats are ready to float!

Thanks for reading!

About weknowstuff

We Know Stuff is an award-winning lifestyle blog written by two sisters, Denine & Daniele. Based in New York, we cover a variety of topics that interest families such as recipes, crafts, pets, safer skincare, fitness, parenting, education, special needs, and travel. We Know Stuff won Best Blog of Long Island from Bethpage Federal Credit Union in 2017 & 2015. The blog was also voted #2 in Pop Sugar’s Circle of Mom’s Top 25 NY Moms!

Reader Interactions

June 22, 2019 at 2:17 pm

Good post. I will be facing some of these issues as well..

[…] Image Source/ Tutorial: We Know Stuff […]

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KLEARSTAND Marine Toilet Paper Holder - Extremely Durable Toilet Roll Protector for Boats, RVs and Campers, Cat Proof Toilet Paper Holder

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About this item

• MARINE AND RV READY - Our toilet paper dispenser is great for boats, RV’s, trailers and campers. It mounts right onto your bathroom wall so you can be ready to roll. Does not require a rod to secure the roll. Our lid is designed to keep the roll inside while you pull, making it easier to replenish and swap in a new roll!
• PROTECTED - This toilet paper roll guard is covered to be safe from curious children, mischievous pets and splashes of water. While it does not latch closed, it's designed to automatically shut when not held open; keeping your paper clean and dry. Our design also allows you to open, grab the toilet paper, the lid then shuts still allowing the toilet paper to turn as you pull your desired amount and the closed lid makes it easier to rip!
• HIGH QUALITY PLASTIC - Our thermoformed ABS plastic is hygienic and easy to clean, and will match your other white fixtures on your boat or in your RV. Our product is made and assembled right in our factory in Maryland USA.
• SIMPLE INSTALLATION - Easy to mount and install. DOES NOT include mounting hardware, you will need simple screws with lengths depending on the wall you're mounting on.
• KLEARSTAND GUARANTEE: If you don't absolutely love your new camper toilet paper holder, contact us right away and we'll make it right!

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At KLEARSTAND we try our best to provide value and quality. Our marine and RV components provide exceptional quality that doesn't break the bank. KLEARSTAND is a small, private company based in the United States and we are dedicated to providing our customers with top quality, American-made goods. Using industrial and military grade materials, KLEARSTAND’s main focus is to provide high-quality products that make your life easier and last as long as your boat or RV. With quality as our main goal, we are constantly pushing ourselves to design goods that reduce clutter and make your experience easy and convenient. Our products are easily mounted or installed in a cutout so you can upgrade your boat or RV yourself if you want. Cutout dimensions are included in the description. KLEARSTAND let’s you make your boat or trailer that much more convenient and comfortable for your days on the water or on the road.

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