Doing your business on the water (#1 and #2...)

[DaubsNU1]

@Tackleholic topic got me thinking...

 

How do you handle needing to go the bathroom when you are on the boat?

 

Back in the mid 1990's we fished Lake Fork in Texas with a bunch of buddies and friends. One of the friends was very environmental friendly guy from Seattle. He refused to pee in the lake, and demanded we take him to shore every time. Happy to accommodate his request. And the rest of us continued to pee over the side.

 

My 83 year old Dad was having trouble with #1 over side of the boat (balance, and stream). My brother purchased a long automotive funnel, and added a length of plastic hose to the end. Pretty much solved the problem.

 

I have had a few emergency #2's while on the water...thankfully I keep a stash of Mendards plastic bags in the boat, along with some wet-wipes. (Note: menards bags are considerable larger and more durable vs. a standard wal-mart bag...trust me on this one).

[Susky River Rat]

I try to go #1 with no one around just over the side. My theory is if you can see “it” you are looking way to hard. I do however make sure there is not a little kid or woman in sight. Not to worried about another grown man. We have all done it.

 

i have only ever had to do an emergency #2 once while on the water. I always carry toilet paper. I went to an island and did work.

[A-Jay]

I whizz over the side or if conditions don't allow, I keep a large laundry soap bottle with the top cut off.  Doubles as an emergency solid waste collector.  Dude wipes are a standard item.

I wiil say that I am very good at managing my intestinal requirements while on the water.  Timing is everything. A healthy diet and lifestyle helps. 

A-Jay

[nso123]

I grab the side of the engine with one hand and pee over the side. As for a number 2, I haven’t had any emergencies with that, but I was with a saltwater guide who had one. He stripped down and jumped in the water to do his business. I suppose it just became shrimp food. 

[Tackleholic]

36 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I whizz over the side or if conditions don't allow, I keep a large laundry soap bottle with the top cut off.  Doubles as an emergency solid waste collector.  Dude wipes are a standard item.

I wiil say that I am very good at managing my intestinal requirements while on the water.  Timing is everything. A healthy diet and lifestyle helps. 

A-Jay

An empty protein powder container does the job for me.

[casts_by_fly]

A kayak is a little tougher than a boat but mine is super stable so I stand with a foot on the side and go.

 

ive only had one #2 emergency and the lake had a portapotty by the ramp. I won’t get rich ice cream before fishing again…

[Bird]

Getting a good night's rest and allowing plenty of time in the morning has eliminated any urge for #2 on the water, have never had an emergency thankfully.

 

Never thought twice about peeing off the bow.

[airshot]

I have always carried a urinal bottle, can be used by male of female, cost less the 6 dollars, if you have been in a hospital in the past decade, all rooms have one, you can keep it.  Have never had a #2 issue but do carry a couple heavy bags ( yes Menards) and a pkg of wet wipes just in case !

[Woody B]

I pee off the side all the time.  I am respectful in the sense that I make sure I don't flash anyone.   I've dropped a deuce on an island once or twice but the lake I fish has several public restrooms as well as a few on the water restaurants.  I also have several friends and relatives who live on the lake I fish most of the time.   Over the years I've visited them for a restroom, as well as to take shelter from quickly approaching bad weather.   

 

Added:  I'm pretty "regular" and don't normally have a sudden urge for #2.   However,  I'm an Eagle Scout so I'm prepared.   There's always a roll in my truck as well as my boat.   

[gim]

[looking45]

The lake I fish has several floating toilets scattered around the lake. It takes 10-15 minutes to get to one. The fine for peeing in the lake is $500

[Scott F]

In Canada, it’s been said that the number 1 cause of drowning is guys falling overboard while peeing over the side of the boat. I can see how that might be an issue so I bought a “Johnny bottle”. It’s handy and the red color makes it hard to mistake it and use it for any other purpose. 

[Choporoz]

Empty Gatorade bottle in the boat and in kayak crate.  Never had to worry about the other....mainly because I wake at least an hour before I ever go anywhere and make sure I'm good to go...so to speak

[slonezp]

#2...

3 gallon bucket, lined with a garbage bag, with a pool noodle around the rim of the bucket.

[Glenn]

This Rubbermaid container does the trick, then I pour it overboard.  And yes, I'm from Seattle too!

 

[volzfan59]

I always just pee over the side. My late father in law had a good idea. He purchased a long funnel like you would use for transmission fluid. As he aged and the "water pressure" wasn't as great, he'd just use the funnel to get it over the side then rinse the funnel in the lake. Now that I'm older, I'm going to get one. As far as #2, I just find a secluded spot, beach the boat and do it like I learned in the Army. Thankfully that's only happened a couple of times.

[GrumpyOlPhartte]

A tie-wrap and a cork?

[TnRiver46]

@DaubsNU1, I wonder where your buddy thinks the pee goes when he pees on the side of the lake 😂 

 

I’ve never heard such Tom foolery 

[airshot]

4 hours ago, Scott F said:

In Canada, it’s been said that the number 1 cause of drowning is guys falling overboard while peeing over the side of the boat. I can see how that might be an issue so I bought a “Johnny bottle”. It’s handy and the red color makes it hard to mistake it and use it for any other purpose. 

Our DNR folks claim the same thing about falling in when taking a pee.  Being a lone fisherman, I don't take the chance, those portable urinals are very easy to use and you don't need to tell folks what they are for...they already know !!

[Bazoo]

Interesting and informative conversation, thanks all for sharing.

[Functional]

13 hours ago, looking45 said:

The lake I fish has several floating toilets scattered around the lake. It takes 10-15 minutes to get to one. The fine for peeing in the lake is $500

I gotta say this is pretty funny considering the state of some parts of CA with no consequences. 

 

I've never heard of these floating toilets before, sounds like a good use of funding if they are maintained decently. 

 

Empty gatorade bottle in the boat for #1, although I never thought to liberate one of the urinal bottles form the hospital. My wife has access to them for kids to play with (she does speech therapy at a hospital) and I may have to see if she has a spare. #2 I've never had an issue yet, but I have lost a few socks in my youth hiking/motorcycles/hunting. I now carry some TP and bag just in case, just never needed it now that I'm prepared. 

[Fishingmickey]

For the Deuce, I carry emergency paper for those infrequent moments. I'm in a kayak so it is hit the shore and dig a cat hole. Numero uno is over the side discretely.

FM

[Vilas15]

18 hours ago, Bird said:

Getting a good night's rest and allowing plenty of time in the morning has eliminated any urge for #2 on the water, have never had an emergency thankfully.

 

Never thought twice about peeing off the bow.

Only had to learn this lesson 3 times. Now I'm a little more intentional with my morning routine before going out on the boat. Worth getting on the water a few minutes later instead of getting a bait in the water only to put the rods away and run back to the dock or nearest undeveloped shoreline.

[Bankc]

#1 goes over the side.  Sometimes I'll pull into a cove for some cover.  Worst case scenario, I'll run aground and find a bush or something. 

 

For #2, I'd probably find a portapotty.  I usually scout them out ahead of time, just in case.  But I try to make sure I've solved that issue before I launch. 

[gim]

I assume most of you indicating that you'd head to shore are going to public land?  Heading to the nearest shore wouldn't really work here.  Its almost exclusively private land.  And entering private land without permission is trespassing.  I'd hate to think what a landowner would do if they caught you squatting on their lawn.  I know what I'd do.