Do Pontoon Boats Have Toilets?

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Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Do Pontoon Boats Have Toilets?

Pontoon boats, known for their spacious decks and versatile usage, often raise the question: do pontoon boats have toilets? This inclusion reflects a growing trend in making pontoon boats more accommodating for various recreational activities, ensuring that onboard amenities meet the needs of all users.

Standard-sized pontoon boats for the leisure market don’t have toilets built-in, but many will have space beneath the Bimini to erect a changing curtain behind which a porta-potty can be placed.

Bigger pontoon boats, such as Party Huts and Party Cruisers, will have built-in heads to which portable toilets can be added.

Smallest Boats with Bathrooms

When considering the smallest boats equipped with a bathroom, the aim is to balance comfort with compactness. The need for a bathroom, or a “head” in nautical terms, becomes crucial for extended trips, providing essential convenience and privacy.

Types of Boats with Bathrooms

1. Day Cruisers
   • Size Range: 20-25 feet
   • Features: Day cruisers are designed for short trips and often include basic amenities like a small cabin, galley (kitchen), and a head. Examples include the Bayliner VR5 Cuddy and Regal 26 Express.
   • Bathroom Details: These boats typically have a compact, enclosed head with a portable toilet and sometimes a small sink.
2. Cuddy Cabins
   • Size Range: 18-25 feet
   • Features: Cuddy cabin boats have a small enclosed cabin for overnight stays, making them suitable for short cruising trips. Notable models include the Four Winns H210 and Stingray 225CR.
   • Bathroom Details: Bathrooms in cuddy cabins are small but functional, often equipped with a portable or marine toilet and a simple sink.
3. Center Consoles
   • Size Range: 20-28 feet
   • Features: Center console boats are popular for fishing and have a central helm with open deck space. Some models, like the Boston Whaler 230 Outrage and Grady-White 257, include a head compartment.
   • Bathroom Details: Bathrooms in center consoles are typically located within the console and feature a portable toilet and minimal plumbing.
4. Pocket Cruisers
   • Size Range: 22-26 feet
   • Features: Pocket cruisers are small sailboats or motorboats designed for comfortable overnighting and cruising. Examples include the Ranger Tugs R-23 and the Cutwater C-24.
   • Bathroom Details: Pocket cruisers often have a more elaborate bathroom setup with a marine toilet, a holding tank, and sometimes a shower.

Critical Considerations for Small Boats with Bathrooms

1. Space Utilization
   • Small boats must maximize every inch of available space. Bathrooms are usually compact, prioritizing essential features like a toilet and sink. Owners should be prepared for tight quarters and minimal storage.
2. Toilet Types
   • Portable Toilets: These are common in smaller boats and are simple to install and use. They require manual emptying at a designated facility.
   • Marine Toilets: These are found in slightly larger boats and connect to a holding tank that can be pumped out at a marina. They offer more convenience but require more maintenance.
3. Plumbing and Maintenance
   • Bathrooms on small boats need efficient plumbing systems to handle limited space. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent odors and plumbing issues. Boat owners should familiarize themselves with their boat’s plumbing system and maintenance needs.
4. Privacy and Comfort
   • While small boat bathrooms offer basic privacy, they lack the space and amenities of larger vessels. It’s essential to set realistic expectations regarding comfort and convenience.

Examples of Small Boats with Bathrooms

• Bayliner VR5 Cuddy: At 20 feet, it’s one of the smallest cuddy cabins, with an enclosed bathroom featuring a portable toilet.
• Ranger Tugs R-23: This 23-foot pocket cruiser offers a marine toilet, a holding tank, and a small shower area.
• Boston Whaler 230 Outrage: This is a 23-foot center console boat with a head compartment, suitable for day trips and light cruising.

Popular Pontoon Boat Toilet Brands

Thetford

Thetford is a well-known brand in the marine and RV industries. It offers a range of portable and cassette toilets. Its products are known for their reliability, ease of use, and durability.

Thetford toilets are popular among pontoon boat owners looking for a trusted and proven solution.

Dometic

Dometic is another leading brand that offers a variety of marine toilets, including portable, cassette, and pump-out models.

Dometic toilets are known for their high quality, innovative features, and user-friendly design. Boaters looking for advanced and convenient toilet solutions often turn to Dometic.

Nature’s Head

Nature’s Head specializes in composting toilets, providing eco-friendly solutions for marine and RV applications. Their toilets are designed for easy use, minimal maintenance, and sustainability.

Nature’s Head composting toilets are a top choice for environmentally conscious boaters seeking a green alternative.

SeaLand

SeaLand, a division of Dometic, offers a range of pump-out toilets and sanitation systems for marine use. Their products are known for their performance, reliability, and ease of maintenance.

SeaLand pump-out toilets are popular for pontoon boat owners who prioritize convenience and comfort.

Maintaining a Pontoon Boat Toilet

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Regular cleaning and sanitizing are essential for maintaining a pontoon boat toilet. Use appropriate cleaning products and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to keep the toilet clean and odor-free.

Regularly empty and sanitize waste tanks or cassettes to prevent buildup and odors.

Routine Maintenance

Routine maintenance includes checking for leaks, ensuring proper ventilation, and inspecting seals and gaskets for wear and tear. Regularly inspect and maintain the toilet’s components to ensure they function correctly and prevent potential issues.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Leaks, clogs, and odors are common issues with pontoon boat toilets. Regular maintenance can help prevent these problems, but it’s essential to know how to troubleshoot and resolve them when they occur.

Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and seek professional help if needed.

Most Common Questions

Can pontoon boats have bathrooms?

Bigger pontoon boats, such as Party Huts and Party Cruisers, will have built-in heads to which portable toilets can be added.

Some large commercial pontoon boats you can book vacation trips on might have bathrooms, but you must check with the tour operator.

Are there pontoon boats with heads?

It depends. Large pontoon boats come with heads, such as the Party Hut and Party Cruiser. In this small room, you simply pull down the privacy curtain and need a portable toilet.

You can see examples of those two pontoon boats that have the potential for bathrooms in the images below.

Can you put a toilet on a pontoon boat?

This is how pontoon boat owners overcome the issue of not having a toilet or dedicated bathroom. The majority of pontoon boats you see out on the lake have large decks but no room for a holding tank.

What type of boat is best for a bathroom?

A pontoon is one of the most popular boat types with a bathroom. Its size and layout allow for a built-in private head.

Pontoon boats are also great for adding bathrooms. An inexpensive onboard bathroom can be created with a curtain and a portable toilet.

Do fishing boats have toilets?

Portable toilets can often be stored under the cushions, and the cabin offers the privacy needed to use them. Center console fishing boats also offer cabins with plenty of living space, including onboard bathrooms.

These boats are small, but they use their space wisely and practically.

How do toilets work on small boats?

Traditionally, boat toilets flush waste into a holding tank to be emptied onshore. Fortunately, cheaper and less intrusive means of storage and disposal are now available.

What are the rules? Retaining sewage in an onboard holding tank for pumping out to onshore facilities.

Do center console boats have bathrooms?

You can find center console boats with cabins that have beds, private bathrooms, lounging areas, and even televisions. These amenities provide excellent comfort while on the water and create a world-class boating experience.

Is it worth buying a pontoon boat?

When it comes to vehicles, both on land and on water, it’s generally accepted that their monetary value will depreciate shortly after purchase. Thus, a good investment requires getting a quality, reliable vehicle you can enjoy for years. That perfectly describes a pontoon boat investment.

Can I install a toilet on a small pontoon boat?

Yes, you can install a toilet on a small pontoon boat. Portable and cassette toilets are ideal for smaller boats due to their compact size and easy installation. Ensure you have enough space and secure the toilet properly to prevent movement while on the water.

How do people use the bathroom on boats?

The main feature of a boat’s toilet is its direct connection to the surrounding water body. Positioned below the waterline, these toilets have a specialized mechanism that allows waste to be expelled through a hole in the hull.

This setup necessitates a pumping system to efficiently remove the toilet’s contents to the exterior of the boat.

This process ensures that waste disposal does not interfere with the onboard experience while adhering to environmental regulations concerning waste management in marine environments.

Final Thoughts

In addressing the query, “Do Pontoon Boats Have Toilets?” it is essential to recognize that the inclusion of toilet facilities in pontoon boats largely depends on the size and model of the vessel.

Larger pontoon boats are more likely to be equipped with built-in toilet facilities, commonly called heads, which provide both privacy and convenience for passengers.

These built-in heads are characteristic of luxury models, which often integrate comprehensive toilet facilities as part of their design to enhance onboard comfort and convenience.

Portable toilets present a practical solution for smaller pontoon boats, where space constraints might limit the feasibility of installing permanent toilets.

These portable options offer design flexibility and ensure that passengers’ comfort and needs are adequately addressed, even in compact vessels.

The availability of toilets on board extends the time passengers can comfortably spend on the water, significantly enhancing the boating experience.

Thus, while not all pontoon boats come equipped with toilets, a range of options is available to meet the needs of vessels of different sizes and types.

Whether through built-in heads in larger luxury models or the adaptability of portable toilets for smaller boats, access to toilet facilities on pontoon boats greatly contributes to passengers’ comfort and enjoyment during their aquatic adventures.

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