Houseboat magazine generally attracts three types of readers: those who own a houseboat, those who are looking to purchase their first one and those who love to dream of the experience of owning one some day.
Appropriately though, the main focus seems to be on the big picture: owning a houseboat of your own. Once you take ownership though, the picture changes at that point.
The accessories that you purchase are a big factor in determining how much you’ll enjoy the ownership of your new home on the water. The small things can make a big difference.
This roundup takes a look at some accessories we love that you can add to your new or existing houseboat. While are not able to cover every product that is available, the next few pages will give you a great starting point.
Marine Sanitation
In a houseboat, there are not that many parts that receive less attention but are more important than the sanitation system. Proper care and maintenance of your boat’s sanitation system can help ensure that your houseboat experience is a legal and sanitary one. Several products from toilets to holding tank treatments are available to help with this.
We are big fans of the BacTANK T3 line of cleaning products. Created by a long-time boater to combat the lack of effective products, its holding tank treatment shows how pro-biotics can not only be good for your body, but also for your boat. The pro-biotics assist in the degradation of waste and helps reduce waste, clogs and buildups in holding tanks, lines and drains. The BacTANK T3 product line has several other products that help address sanitation issues such as a grease trap treatment that reduces buildup caused by fats, oils and greases.
Also for eliminating odors, we are fans of Healthy Boater’s holding tank treatment. The product works in the same way as a bioactive treatment, but is anhydrous, meaning that it’s a dry treatment. Once it has been mixed with water, the formula is activated, decomposition is accelerated and odor is eliminated by the good bacteria. They keep working so you don’t have to keep adding more. It is also economical too as one ounce of the product will treat a 30 gallon holding tank, making treatment about 50 cents per instance.
For those in the market for a self-contained toilet, Nature’s Head is a brand that we like. Manufactured in the United States, the toilet is easily installed, compact and requires no holding tank. They are also approved by the United States Coast Guard, so you know that it is built and proven to be durable, rugged and trouble-free. The portable toilet also has a urine-separating design that helps eliminate odor. As an added bonus, the units are backed by a 5-year warranty.
Ahead Sanitation Systems
337-237-5011
www.aheadtank.com
BacTANK T3
877-BIO-LABS
www.nolanbiolabs.com
Dometic Sanitation Systems
800-321-9886
www.dometic.com
Environmental Marine, Inc.
866-237-5428
www.themsd.com
General Ecology
800-441-8166
www.generalecology.com
Happy Bowl
www.happybowl.com
Headhunter, Inc.
800-662-8557
www.headhunterinc.com
Inca Gold Products
310-808-9359
www.incagoldonline.com
Jabsco
www.xylemflowcontrol.com
Keco, Inc.
619-298-3800
www.pumpahead.com
Life Industries
843-566-1225
My Healthy Boater
www.myhealthyboater.com
NASSEF Engineering
850-484-2700
Nature’s Head
251-295-3043
www.natureshead.net
Odorlos
www.odorlos.com
Owens Mfg. & Specialty Co., Inc.
800-639-2744
www.owenskleentank.com
Peal Products
770-551-0911
Quantum Pure Aire Corporation
800-290-9577
www.quantumpureair.com
Raritan Engineering Co.
856-825-4900
Research Products
800-527-5551
www.incinolet.com
SeaLand Technology
800-321-9886
www.sealandtechnology.com
Survivor Associates/ Continental Technologies
888-922-1231
www.y2kpreparations.com
Thetford Corp.
734-769-9747
www.thetford.com
Vetus—Den Ouden, Inc.
800-GO-VETUS
www.vetus.com
Walex Products Co.
800-338-3155
The most important part of owning a houseboat is getting out on the water and having a great time surrounded by family and friends. With the addition of these great products to your houseboat, and many others that we didn’t have the space to list, you can ensure that the time you spend on the water is full of great memories instead of worrying about the small stuff.