After focusing so much attention on getting Wilparina spiffed up for last weekend's boat blessing, we're hit with the hard reality of knowing there are many more chores ahead. The boat is looking great, but there's more than meets the eye.

We added a couple of new things to the fix list: the refrigerator went out, and the sea cock on the direct overboard sewage line is stuck in the open position, and the lever is stripped. Crap!

I'm most concerned about the sea cock. I'm vulnerable now as should that sewage line spring a leak, I can't close the value. Plus, in the mean time, the head is inoperable, and illegal too. The irony of this is that just a few weeks ago I rebuilt the Jabsco toilet, a proud moment in new boat ownership I might add. But while I was doing this, I also turned the valves, including the sea cock. I didn't notice that when I moved the lever on the sea cock that it stuck in the open position.

In general, there's a lot of fuss about maintaining marine toilets: repairs, through-hull fittings, plumbing and pumps, pump-outs, smells. I've been reading more about the "Airhead" composting toilet. The reviews are in, and these work pretty well. So rather than try to maintain the current flushing system, I'm going to convert to composting.

The Airhead (pictured above) works because the liquids are kept separate from the solids. The urine goes into the container on the front, and the solids go down the trap door into a large canister that contains peat moss or shredded coconut husks. There's a crank that mixes up the solid "stuff" and it turns into "dirt." For a live-aboard couple, the canister only needs to be emptied every 4 to 6 weeks. The urine can go a couple days for two people. The urine collector has a handy handle that makes it easy to carry for disposal. The unit does use a little power. There is a tiny exhaust fan that runs continually, and this creates a negative pressure that keeps moisture and any smell internal.

Owners guarantee than when used properly, these toilets don't smell.