Double Doodie / Wag Bags

[CapnK]

My Porta Potti kinda went broke - the seal at the bottom of the bowl will slowly leak any leftover water down into the tank, which means that trouble is brewing if I keep on using it... ;)

I've heard people (including Tim) mention these products called 'Wag Bags" or "Double Doodie" bags, and have been meaning to try them out. I picked up a box (6 bags) this past week for 'testing'. So far, so good - except for the cost. The box states that you can get 3-4 uses per bag, and after 3-4 uses, I concur. ;) The 'product' ;D remained odor-free for the few days it took to use it completely.

They're basically 2 plastic bags, an interior one that is funnel shaped, and the exterior bag which has a double seal enclosure touted to be 'leakproof' (and you sure hope they're right!).

Inside the inner bag is a powder which soaks up moisture until it has expanded to ~several hundred times it's original size. I believe there are also some deodorants of some sort, and perhaps some enzymes to help break things down. Manufacturer claims that these will decompose in a matter of weeks or months once in a landfill.

Back to Price, though: using these works out to $2.00+ per bag, unless you buy over ~35-50 at a time, when the cost is still well north of a dollar. Of the two mentioned here, the "Double Doodie" brand is cheaper.

Looking at the things, I think that they can be made at home/boat for way less. I've found all the ingredients with the exception of the biodegradable bags (haven't looked for them yet, figuring they'll be fairly easy to find). Once I find those, I'll make up a batch and see how it works. Anyone else here tried the same, or know of any reports of anyone who has?

They do work well enough that if I can make them cheaply, I think I'll go this route for waste management when inshore. They are easier and less messy to deal with than a PortaPotti. Offshore, I'll just 'bucket and chuck it'.

[CharlieJ]

Interesting. We're using a Porta-potti and have been made to fell "second class" when inquiring about emptying. We've found ONE place on the entire trip that was set up for them- Houma La city docks. Otherwise you have to kinda sneak into bathrooms to dump- or sail offshore.

Florida is well set up for emptying holding tanks, many spots are free. But I haven't figured out yet how to use the pumpout to empty a porta tank. Other than dumping into a bucket,, then pumping the bucket.

So it's a problem. Of course from here on out we'll be close to offshore so it won't be as hard. I'll be very interesterd in what you find

[Tim]

One thing we found with them is if they have to be stored used onboard for any length of time you should a good air tight container for them. We found them be a bit odererrific in a small boat like the Potter. On the Ariel they would be stored in the laz or other separate storage area.

I am still considering a separate head (composting or otherwise) as it is not always con\venient to stop and set something up inside especially when in a crowded anchorage.

[CapnK]

CJ -

Here's a Google shopping link to the gel powder stuff from the manufacturer, so it already has enzymes and odor neutralizers, if you need it on the quick: http://tinyurl.com/yhakrzv

Still not super cheap just better. One of the places listed on that link has the 55 scoop container for $36 (1 scoop will hold 21 ozs liquid).

I've seen just the gel (no 'zymes, no odor reducer) that sells for as low as $6.95/lb (in a 10 lb quantity). Not sure if that's the 'green' stuff that biodegrades so quick.

Combine that with an enzyme/odor eater made for dog poo :) that costs $13.99 for a package they say will do a years worth of dog poo (about 12ozs), I think you'd have a lot of wag bags on the cheap...

Tim - I just did try/am in the process of using them, and the air is cooler now, but didn't notice much odor in the 3 days before I sealed the bag (I just folded over the top of the inner bag between uses, and didn't use it for just liquid output). That said, there's also been a fairly steady breeze here at the marina. ;D Q's: Was there a smell even after the outer bag is closed tight? How long did you store them? What were the ambient temps - summer hot?

I'm thinking I might make a permanent mounted box sized just-so for the bucket to reside in, complete with plushy soft toilet seat on top.

[Tim]

To be honest I didn't notice it much at all, but the first mate who has a much more sensitive nose :) did (of course just between you and us there could have been a psychological factor).
Also her daughter who is a guide on Mt. Ranier told her they use them up on top and it reeks, of course quality control of use may be a factor.

This was after the outer bag was closed and they were stored close to a week. I think we both felt that if kept in a better container that was air tight it would have been fine.

[Frank]

Holy poop. ;D....all this "ZIP LOC" talk at thanksgiving should be about sealing up left over turkey   :o ;D ::)

[Tim]

Hey, you don't get no turkey you already had your Thanksgiving.  :P

Besides you'll be having Conch   ;D

[CapnK]

LOL

[s/v Faith]

Finally found a use for all those Walmart bags.   ;D

[Captain Smollett]

But I haven't figured out yet how to use the pumpout to empty a porta tank. Other than dumping into a bucket,, then pumping the bucket.

Charlie, what brand porta potty do you have?

The Thetford MSD we have is an approved MSD and includes a fitting to rig for pump-out.  It is little more than a bit of pipe molded with threads to replace the normal holding tank cap.  There might be an intrinsic one-way vent as well...

So, I bet you could easily enough rig something to pump out that porta potty...at the very least, sell it and buy a Thetford.   ;D

[Greenman]

I wanted the best of all worlds (at least in my opinion), so I installed a Sealand MSD, it has a small holding tank, it can be pumped out, or overboard through a macerator, and it works great I think. Here it my set up. It would be very easy to add a secondary holding tank if I wanted, but this set up has worked very well for me so far.

[CharlieJ]

We have a Thetford. I will certainly investigate that while we are in Texas during Dec. Thanks for the lead.