Avoid Crappy Situations Aboard

Boat heads are known to be pone to clogging. It's not really the plumbing's fault. Problems develop over time without maintenance. In todays video we are going to go into the chemistry of what makes a marine toilet fail and how to fix it easily once it is flowing poorly.
Oh, and Clark shaved his beard.
IN THIS VIDEO:
Intro Music [00:17]
This Video [00:29]
The Problem [01:04]
What Is That Stuff? [01:27]
The Solution [02:00]
Chemistry of Toilets [02:55]
Preventing Problems [03:53]
Symptoms [04:47]
Treatment with Acid [06:41]
Safety [07:23]
Treatment with Vinegar [09:04]
Other Toilet/Head Hacks [10:59]
Have questions or comments (especially other hacks for your marine head)? Leave them below! We do our best to read and answer all comments on our channel.
-----------
LINKS TO PRODUCTS WE LOVE (Affiliate links to things we actually own, use, and recommend. We are almost never paid by companies to endorse products. If we are, we will tell you in the video): www.amazon.com...
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and click the BELL to see new videos every week, and more content like this.
CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR CHANNEL FOR $1 OR MORE
Patreon: / emilyandclark
PayPal: www.paypal.me/...
Buy S/V Temptress shirts and swag: teespring.com/...
Check out our favorite products on Amazon: www.amazon.com...
CONNECT WITH EMILY & CLARK
Facebook: / emilyandclark
Instagram: / emilyandclark
#emilyandclark #emilyandclarksadventure #capablecruising

[@francleo2002]

Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention. First time i have seen a video of how to "avoid crappy situations aboard"! Once again, as with other of your fine videos, never watched a toilet cleaning instructional with such interest!! Haha!

[@zuluzulu5623]

Grow the beard back as quickly as possible!

[@Clarks-Adventure]

You're the first to vote that way. A beard is only two weeks away so it's just not that valuable to me.

[@zelenkooo]

Who is this and what have you done with Clark?

[@TheNockingPoint]

Exactly what I thought.

[@glynncleaver7398]

X2

[@AlternateQuantum]

Can we call the new sequence “Head Games”?

[@SVFresh2Salty]

Wow digging the clean shaven look

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Thanks

[@luisamixon2689]

Omg Clark, 🙌 looking great with the new look!!! Thanks for your wisdom!!!!

[@mememe5231]

That’s not Clark from Temptress. Its Clark Kent!

[@jeffdege4786]

You can avoid a whole class of problems with a composting toilet - and then have to deal with a whole new class of problems.

[@oundhakar]

I don't think that collecting and then disposing of solid and liquid waste is a viable option for long distance sailors / liveaboards.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

It actually works well for many boats. It's got to be seen as a viable solution.

[@jeffdege4786]

@@Clarks-Adventure Everything on a boat is a trade-off.

[@CapnZman]

I was always lukewarm about composting heads until I bought a boat with one. My present catamaran has no through hulls so that sort of dictated the type of head. What I was unprepared for was the total lack of any head aroma, a good thing since the head is directly adjacent to my sleeping quarters. My install has a pair of small computer fans constantly evacuating the waste area which makes it odor-free even while in use. I don't think I need to go in any more detail about that! The two big negatives as I see it are the need to train all crew and guests and the lack of an overboard option for open water. These are easily counterbalanced by the avoidance of the operations that Clark so eloquently describes.

[@bigredinfinity3126]

i always put some cooking oil down the toilet to help the rubber joints etc

[@bobbaldwin1749]

R U in Lluperon harbour?

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Yep

[@oh-brothers]

You could have warned us before the video started that Clark shaved his beard off !!!! lol Whoa ... !!!! lol Just kidding... He looks great but a big change from the beard.

[@brownnoise357]

Those "Wash Bowls" are called Trugs over here, the Spanish ones are great, they make them out of Recycled Lorry Tyres, really tough and great on Building Sites. Bob. 👍

[@hyperchannel4048]

Good to know! I would try to install a peristaltic dosing pump to add some vinegar or urine stone remover to the system every hour.

[@simongee5879]

IMO , the best way to fix a clogged marine toilet is to chuck it out and install a composting toilet. You can also eliminate two thru hulls

[@albatros1752]

OH sh....itake !

[@grandmajosephine383]

Grow the beard back!

[@pascaldeladurantaye3948]

Can't wait to not clog my head!

[@ChannelGregg]

I would have loved to see the beach experiment. Thanks for sharing.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

When we lost that we almost scrapped the video. Disappointment on this side too.

[@braithmiller]

@@Clarks-Adventure Good you didn't, worthwhile one. Though you could do this again on anothers boat. Or not.

[@mememe5231]

Looking good 👍

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

Oh my gosh when I saw the thumbnail with Clark and no beard I thought that I had subscribed to some channel that I did not intend to. Lol you caught me off guard. By the way Clark you look as handsome as always even without the beard and Emily you’re still the most adorable sailor I’ve ever seen. OK now I have to go watch the video.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Thank you

[@ricks30606]

Hi. Any progress on the "head Series" now that you've finished the refurb to Temptress?

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Just put the last coat of paint on it the day before we left. After the inland adventure.

[@borys2767]

Does the holding tank get full of stuff that can't be sucked up present overboard?

[@Clarks-Adventure]

They don't tend to. I've had the same tank in Temptress for over 35 years. It's fine. I put some acid in it through the toilet while cleaning the toilet but I expect that it is neutralized by the time it gets through the hoses. Likely the urine reaction is neutralized by the time it gets to the tank.

[@bryrensexton4618]

👍!!!

[@andersnilsson6625]

Thanks for another great video with great tips. But how do brass seacocks react with the acid?

[@Clarks-Adventure]

It should be reacted by the time it gets there so not very strong. If not the ocean would dilute it fast as it's just inches away at that point.

[@TheOldGuy]

Thanks for the video! I expect next you will come up with a way to "automate the process" of adding acid in the system. I am thinking your BBM repurposed to run an acid injection pump every so often would be a big hit! LOL!

[@commandoclark]

Our best recommendation for a boat head improvement is to install a non-electric bidet toilet seat adapter. They are relatively inexpensive on Amazon and significantly help reduce the use of toilet paper on board. They also make it easy to clean the toilet and flush with fresh water when treating with vinegar or acid.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Yes, we have one on Temptress

[@davidwenaas7059]

Butt, you’re not supposed to pump directly into the ocean at mooring or in harbor, correct?

[@Clarks-Adventure]

That's a US rule. Like anything "the dose defines the poison". If a city dumps it's waste into a river. That's too much for nature to handle. But if it's a few people worth in a well flushed body of water it's bio remediated fine. Remember nothing comes out of us that doesn't come out of a dolphin or manatee.

[@jeffgriglack9624]

I have read that the buildup in the pipes is cased by a reaction of the pee and salt water. Wouldn't the best way to avoid it simply be to eliminate the salt water. On my last boat, I kept a jug of fresh water next to the toilet for flushing.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

If you can spare the freshwater.

[@TurreTuntematon]

You look great without a beard 👍🏻😊

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Thank you Turre

[@johnscarborough8425]

The best toilet/bathroom cleaner I have found is Citric Acid powder. The same thing used in home canning. I buy a 2 -5 pound bag on the web. I mix 1 Cup powder in 1 pint of water. Some people also add ½ Cup 20 mule team Borax. After it is mixed and dissolved I put some in a squirt bottle like a ketchup or used honey bottle to squirt it on to scrub or soak.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

I like that it can be stored as a powder.

[@johnjames6191]

When I bought my boat I did the trick with the vinegar. I did not dare to use the stronger acid Think it will not stop to the hose inside but will chew on your valve too. Any way the vinegar work so well that the deposit come lose and clog the valve. In the end I replace the whole hose. Conclusion it does work but please do not let it build do it monthly as a maintenance.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Yep you got that right. I don't think that a stringer acid would have much effect on your thruhulls. Unless you over medicate it's no longer a very strong solution once it gets there and the ocean would dilute what's left that color to the end. But yes broken bits can cause mischief. And if it's thick enough it might not even come off the hose walls easily. From experience. At least it's a nicer job after the "rocks" have been acid treated. I find the smell and general yuckyness lower after acid treatment, but it could just be my mind set.

[@WRMannIII]

Good info and presentation. My best tip for improved head performance is to get a Lavac brand head. It's the ultimate in simplicity using only a single diaphragm type pump, ie. - no 'joker' valves, no little valves and small diameter piping. I've used these Lavac heads since the 80's and never had a problem nor any maintenance requirements.

[@DirkJacobsz]

Ross can you remove an old head and put in Lavac..

[@allanpierce9700]

Hey Clark , hi Emily.. just thought this might be a good time or place for a million dollar idea ... My friends always loosing track of his phone... So how bout having some timed alarm going off after say 10sec after you lay it down somewhere.. you'd think someone woulda thought up this already.. let me know what you think. Should be easy to make attach to your phone. Or sell the patent or idea to someone else... Think that is a crappy idea ..let me know..I could see us smelling like a rose sitting in monte Carlo watching an F1 race on our new sailboats. Could be powered by the phone itself.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

I think "what an annoying world it would be with everyone's phone alarming all the time"

[@allanpierce9700]

@@Clarks-Adventure yeah but you would be on your sailboat and wouldn't hear a thing... And a whole lot richer.

[@brownnoise357]

I was in a Science class in School and the teacher put a flask of concentrated acid under the water tap and Brain Fart, he turned the tap on, and the glass flask blew up, luckily nobody got hit by glass or acid. Making Nitro Glycerine in Class was actually Safer. Bob. 😅😅😅

[@tonypiche1130]

Another very informative video E&C, you are not mundane, appreciate you both.

[@GreenTeaDigital]

Clark, you are a sailor and an engineer after my own heart! Hope you're enjoying access to all that facial skin.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

It was more about Emily's desire. I seldom see my own face.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Thanks

[@SVHummingbird2]

great information and a simple explanation of what is actually happening. I have watched a couple of other channels deal with this very issue the hard way, beating the hose on the dock...so glad to know a safe and clean way around the problem.

[@gefginn3699]

Great post Clark. I appreciate all the information you are sharing here. Stay free, happy and healthy ✨️ 🌞🌴⛵

[@Str4ng3F0lk]

You guys are rockstars - thank you!

[@tavpierce1880]

We used to clean the water distiller on the submarine with cool aid packets minus the sugar. It worked well and was readily available.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

That's us military spending for you. Why use 2 cents worth of HCl when you can use the most expensive form of citric acid you could possibly buy.

[@DirkJacobsz]

Clark -thanks for this I learned heaps - i used 80 grit sandpaper to clean my porcelain bowl before i watched this. Got all the Ca Co3 off like new.. I have a friend that suggested I use Muriatic Acid into my heat exchanger..says they come up sparkling.. just add toengine side of sea strainer and let sit then flush....What are your thoughts?

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Occasionally it's required. I usually take the intake and outlet water hoses from the engine to a bucket. That way I'm not wasting acid and I can see the "rocks" that come off. This is important as this process takes a while. The heat exchanger needs to heat up first. Also for safety and ease on your engine you might want to use citric acid or white vinegar.

[@DirkJacobsz]

@@Clarks-Adventure You are a champ - love your work.. Thanks

[@MiQBohlin]

Vinegar is excellent for - dissolve corroded electrical sockets, leads, relays etc. - dissolve corrosion on rigging - dissolve calcium carbonate in clogged toilets - cleaning away mildew - making tasty table water to double for vine (1tbsp/pint) - saving funky drinking water - for soothing pain after jellyfish or insect stings (spray it on) - soothing sunburn - soothing itching after fibreglass work - making your own mayonnaise! - for perfecting fish ‘n chips (malt vinegar)

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Cleaning up resin.

[@MiQBohlin]

Right! I also use it for getting a nice rusty patina on steel works for props/requisites 😉

[@braithmiller]

So the only thing funnier would have been the shave after cutting away from the beach. I converted to 5gal composters with gama lids not the best though deals with the no discharge Western basically everywhere. To few know the management. Good information.

[@Burvedys]

Sorry, couldn't resists with a joke. :) The sewage system was clogged so the master plumber and his apprentice arrive on scene. The master takes a deep breath and dips in. Then he reappears and asks his apprentice for a tool number 13. Dips in again. Then surfaces and asks for another tool and dips back into it. After some time the problem is fixed and he proudly declares, "Learn this, son, or you will be giving tools all the time!"

[@jansmit4628]

Quite a change to Clark_2.0 with glasses and shaved smooth, looking 20 years younger. Was also a big getting used to for Emily I assume.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

It was at her request. She had the idea she wanted to see my face last month but we had to wait until the A/C videos were done. Also my Mom will be happy. She says she is too young to have a sin that old.

[@alanduffy7993]

As always, a helpful informative video. Will add the vinegar treatment to my maintenance list. Such a simple preventative trick that stops a messy situation.

[@IcyMidnight]

No need to apologize for the rain. It happens everywhere 😝

[@Jacoblejd]

First of all, great thumbnail. Really appreciate these videos, they add value to the audience and fill a void no one else is catering to.

[@SturgisTrey]

Thanks for the info!

[@bill2292]

You didn't mention the obvious Clark: Switch to fresh water toilets.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Got to make all that water. But it would work.

[@PyeGuySailing]

I went to natures head composting toilet 6 years ago and ill never go back. Holding tanks overflowing into the bilge because a failed alarm or clogs, faulty joker valves and the general smell inside the boat..no thank you lol. Composting is for me. However I didn't know about the calcium carbonate. Great episode and full of useful information!

[@Clarks-Adventure]

We have a composter in the aft head. We have yet to use it. It came out of Emily's tiny house. An air head.

[@PyeGuySailing]

@@Clarks-Adventure perfect compromise

[@Clarks-Adventure]

I figure we have it for a place where the port Captain's son in law just bought a pump out boat. It happens.

[@PyeGuySailing]

@@Clarks-Adventure lol!

[@relaxingmeditationmusic7777]

Great video as always. Just getting use to the "New Clark". Also, how's the air conditioner on SV Blue Moon? Friend of mine is wanting to buy one and we can't wait to hear more from David and Kendra.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

They have sailed on. Last we talked they were in Puerto Rico. David put some comments in stating his power consumption. They seem happy. Theirs uses less power then mine but its not really hot yet.

[@captainandthelady]

Don't forget to heat up your vinegar before using it. Heated vinegar will speed up the chemical reaction.

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Especially if you aren't in the tropics. I forgot that I sometimes did this in Seattle's 50f water. Reading your comment brought a strong memory of hot vinegar to my "nose"

[@Flembgemb]

Excellent content as always! Is a fresh water flush not allowed or just not practical for most people?

[@Clarks-Adventure]

Not practical. Once the carbonate is formed fresh water alone won't remove it. And to always flush with fresh water on a cruising boat would consume a lot of that precious resources.

[@braithmiller]

So this is what you do with dock water and no discharge areas.