Family Four facilities

Thoughts, Ideas and General Questions
Post Reply
Clive
Posts: 548
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2019 9:41 am

Family Four facilities

Post by Clive »

Just saw an ad on Boatshed for a Family Four which for me has a great design feature and a great design flaw! Made me remember why we struck it off our list of potential boats when we were looking to buy.
I love the al fresco kitchen area - as a fair weather sailor this really opens up the boat, but…
The head in the cabin in a box?! Lift the lid and there’s a chemical loo. So where do other passengers go when the loo is used, especially if food is being prepared. There’s no privacy is there? And chemical loos smell so doesn’t that smell in the cabin? Have to be good pals to use in the night 😆 💩
What do owners think? Just my opinion.
4+2 (1988) 35hp Honda outboard, currently in a field outside Horsham.
dellquay13
Posts: 556
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:45 am
Location: Pequod, F4 mk4, Milford Haven Marina

Re: Family Four facilities

Post by dellquay13 »

wat400a_-_thebigloo_l1.jpg
I don't have a portapotti on my F4 because there is no chemisan disposal at my marina.
The marina is in a harbour with lock gates to control the 7m tidal range, so you can't use sea toilets unless you have a holding tank (big boat needed) so everyone uses shoreside.
I do have a big bucket with a seat lid though, bought at a camping shop, which works at sea, where you can easily empty and swill it out over the side.
I'm not shy, i send the first mate into the cabin while i P** over the side, and i stand at the back of the boat whistling when she takes the bucket into the cabin.
Luckily when you're miles out to sea you're not overlooked by many people, like you would be at Teddington...
Now that I've progressed on to a yacht though, we have a heads with a brand new sea toilet, which gives you muscles like Popeye with the pumping to flush it.
You must be a paid member to view and download attachments.
I have now sold my 1989 F4 mk4, 2015 70hp 4str Yamaha. Milford Haven. I proudly owned it for over 20 years, before changing to sailpower and a yacht...
Clive
Posts: 548
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2019 9:41 am

Re: Family Four facilities

Post by Clive »

Blimey - that is one big bucket - get a lot of dysentery out at sea do you :lol: :lol:

Haha - definitely not the thing at Teddington! We've got a Jabsco sea toilet and it's ok to pump. Maybe you need some lube (for the pump of course ;) )
4+2 (1988) 35hp Honda outboard, currently in a field outside Horsham.
dellquay13
Posts: 556
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:45 am
Location: Pequod, F4 mk4, Milford Haven Marina

Re: Family Four facilities

Post by dellquay13 »

It's not the capacity, it's the seated height and stability, tipping over wouldn't be good

We've got a jabsco too, but straight out of the seacock to keep the Mackerel fed
I have now sold my 1989 F4 mk4, 2015 70hp 4str Yamaha. Milford Haven. I proudly owned it for over 20 years, before changing to sailpower and a yacht...
Clive
Posts: 548
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2019 9:41 am

Re: Family Four facilities

Post by Clive »

What, ground bait?!!
4+2 (1988) 35hp Honda outboard, currently in a field outside Horsham.
dellquay13
Posts: 556
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 7:45 am
Location: Pequod, F4 mk4, Milford Haven Marina

Re: Family Four facilities

Post by dellquay13 »

Chumming up.
You've seen Richard dreyfuss in jaws with the bucket haven't you, just before he says the needing a bigger boat line?

I think salt water is hard on the jabsco seals, and we have to pump inlet and outlets uphill quite a bit, to get over the antisyphon valves fitted at least 8" above the waterline at 30deg of heeling.
I have now sold my 1989 F4 mk4, 2015 70hp 4str Yamaha. Milford Haven. I proudly owned it for over 20 years, before changing to sailpower and a yacht...
mabbs
Posts: 25
Joined: Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:36 am

Re: Family Four facilities

Post by mabbs »

The fun of small boating! Get on well with the crew! We had a 535 for years, loads of fun.
Post Reply