Electric Toilet vs. Composting Toilet: Truth About Marine Toilets | Great Loop Boat (Ep67)

In today’s episode, I’m diving into the marine plumbing system on my 1986 Albin 27 Family Cruiser as I rebuild the head (bathroom) on my pocket trawler. If you're restoring a classic boat, upgrading your liveaboard systems, or curious about how boat plumbing, through-hulls, freshwater tanks, gray water systems, and electric marine toilets work, this video is packed with valuable info.
I walk through the basics of a modern boat freshwater system, including pumps, accumulator tanks, hot water heaters, and PEX vs. hose plumbing. We’ll look at how sinks and showers drain, why shower sumps often fail, and why I’m installing a diaphragm pump instead. I also compare composting toilets vs. electric toilets on boats, explaining why I’m choosing an electric macerating toilet connected to a holding tank for reliable long-term cruising.
Topics Covered:
🚤 Albin 27 restoration and upgrades
🛠️ Marine plumbing system basics
💧 Freshwater pumps & accumulator tanks
🔥 10-gallon hot water heater + engine heat exchanger
🔧 Through-hulls & seacocks explained
🚿 Shower drain solutions & gray water pumps
🚽 Composting toilet vs. electric toilet on a boat
🛢️ Freshwater and holding tank capacity for cruising
Whether you're planning long-range cruising, rebuilding a head, adding more tankage, or simply learning how a marine plumbing system works, this episode will help you understand the components, layout, and real-world challenges of small-boat living.

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