| How About some pottie talk. What
and where to “go” when nature calls is
a problem faced by all boaters who spend more than
a few hours on the water. This is especially true
if you have women and children on board. The choice
is almost always- go over the side, or go into shore
where there are “facilities” available.
You may be comfortable going over the side, but I
don’t think Mamma or aunt Jane are going to
think that’s an option. The days of “bucket
and chuck it” are gone from most lakes and rivers.
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What and where
to “go” when nature calls is a problem
faced by all boaters who spend more than a few
hours on the water.
click image to enlarge |
Hopefully the comfort station seat can solve this
universal boating problem. The comfort station is
designed to be installed between the seats on a john
boat, or to replace one of the existing seats on a
pontoon boat. For john boat use, the comfort station
can be installed fore and aft between the existing
seats. The unit’s dimensions can be adjusted
to fit your particular boat. Once installed, the unit
can be used as a seat until needed as a toilet or
cool down shower.
It should take less than 2-3 minutes to open the
unit and snap on the privacy curtain. Once opened,
the comfort station can be left in the open position
if you are anchored or slow motoring your boat.
The porta-pot used can be anything you want. There
are a number of very affordable units available on
the internet, or at your local boating supply store.
For those wanting to make a buck from your boating
activity, extra income can be earned by making and
installing the comfort stations on boats in your market
area. The main fabricated metal component kits can
be purchased from OneUglyBoat. The wood working required
can be done in your home shop.
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The comfort
station is designed to be installed between
the seats on a john boat, or to replace one
of the existing seats on a pontoon boat. |
The comfort station can be left in the semi-up position
while underway by using it as a shaded seat for comfort
from the sun or rain. When the need to use the Porta-Pot
arises, the main upper riser frame and enclosure can
be raised. The seat cushions can include special marine
foam that will not retain water in the event they
get wet from rain or spray.
The plans for the comfort station include instructions
on how to make the privacy curtain and the 3”
foam seat cushion. We can provide these items if you
don’t want to tackle the sewing and fabrication.
However, anyone with a home sewing machine can easily
handle both items. If you make your cushion covers
we can provide the special marine foam for the cushions.
If you are building the comfort station from a set
of plans, you can purchase the comfort station components
that are not easily made in your shop from UglyBoat.
These items include the aluminum square and round
pipe components, and the hardware for the canopy pipes.
Building the comfort station for your boat should
be doable over a couple of weekends without much strain
by any experienced amateur wood worker.
We can give you a complete kit package that includes
all the components and hardware needed to assemble
the comfort station. All you need to do is bolt it
together. However, the cost of this complete kit reflects
labor and profit to fabricate and ship the parts.
You can save this shop cost by purchasing and cutting
the wood components yourself. The cost of the complete
kit will be computed based on your individual requirements.
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The plans for
the comfort station include instructions on
how to make the privacy curtain and the 3”
foam seat cushion. |
The overall size of the comfort station can be adjusted
to fit either the space in which the comfort station
will sit, or to the size of the “sit”
that will be using the unit. We can custom make the
riser frame and end frame to fit your personal bottom
line requirements. On boats where space is a problem,
it can be made to exactly fit your foot- print. My
suggestion is to make the comfort station “comfortable”
A standard size takes an overall foot print of 30”
x 42” with the canopy opened for use. These
dimensions can be adjusted if you need a smaller unit.
If you want to install a marine head with a holding
tank for waste, there will be little adjustment to
the comfort station.
The complete unit can be folded for transport or
for placement of your current boat cover. The folded
down unit requires a forward space of 38” from
the back of the unit to the forward most part.
The hardware including the frames for the enclosure
canopy is included with the comfort station kit. The
only items you will need to purchase will be the wood
for the base box, and the fabric for the privacy curtain
and cushions.
The wood can be ½” plywood for the box,
and ¾” plywood for the lid. You may choose
to cover the base box with fabric to match your current
seats. We can assist with this purchase through our
current fabric vendors.
 |
A standard size
takes an overall foot print of 30” x 42”
with the canopy opened for use. These dimensions
can be adjusted if you need a smaller unit. |
Construction of the base box should take about 6-8
man hours for an experienced wood worker. The corner
construction can be fiberglass tape for a water tight
joint, or standard corner blocks with glued joints.
Consideration should be given to the possibility of
spillage in the box, and clean up of that spillage.
If the box is not water tight, the spillage could
seep into the area under the box creating a sanitation
problem. This potential sanitation problem should
also be considered before you cover the box with fabric.
The box can be fastened to the railing of a pontoon
boat instead of through the bottom for easy removal
for cleaning.
There should be enough room inside for some storage
in addition to the Porta-Pot. If you want to include
a shower pump for the comfort station, this pump cam
be located in the base box.
For added information contact Harold at oneuglyboat@hotmail.com
or go to the website.
Plans for the Comfort station cost $38 using paypal
or $36 using your check.
Lets talk- Harold
About Harold Duffield: - age
67 - grew up on the Mississippi River - was whats
known as a "river rat". He has been messing
about and building boats for over 50 yrs. Now he
is offering plans and kits for fishing boats, shantys,
house boats and even sailboats in aluminum as well
as finished boats. https://www.oneuglyboat.com/
Other articles by Harold Duffield:
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