What is a head on a boat?

Asked by: Marci Garcia

Head (ship’s toilet) The use of the term “head” to refer to a ship’s toilet dates to at least as early as 1708, when Woodes Rogers (English privateer and Governor of the Bahamas) used the word in his book, A Cruising Voyage Around the World.

Why is it called a head on a boat?

At the front of the ship was the figure head: a carved wooden figure or bust fitted on the bow of the ship. Since the wind was blowing from the rear to the front, the “head” (or front) of the ship was the best place for sailors to relieve themselves. So, when the shipmates went to the toilet, they went to the head.

What is the head of the boat called?

The head (pl. heads) is a ship’s toilet. The name derives from sailing ships in which the toilet area for the regular sailors was placed at the head or bow of the ship.

What does Heads mean for boats?

“The bathroom of a maritime vessel is known as the head because of its location aboard vessels in the bow or fore of the ship, as explained by the Naval Heritage and History Command.

Do I need a head on my boat?

You are not required to have a toilet/head on your boat. (In fact, many people choose a portable toilet on their boat.) However, if you do have an installed toilet on your boat, you must have a USCG certified MSD Type I, II, or III attached to that toilet.

What are the parts of a boat called?

Every boat operator should know the following terms and definitions.

• Bow : Front of a boat.
• Stern : Rear of a boat.
• Starboard : Right side of a boat.
• Port : Left side of a boat.
• Hull : Body of a boat.
• Gunwale : Upper edge of boat’s side (generally pronounced gunnel)
• Cleat : Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened.

Where is the head of a ship?

“Head” in a nautical sense referring to the bow or fore part of a ship dates to 1485. The ship’s toilet was typically placed at the head of the ship near the base of the bowsprit, where splashing water served to naturally clean the toilet area.

Can you add a head to a boat?

If your boat never leaves inland or coastal waters, connecting the head directly to the tank is your only legal option. The tank itself will require two additional connections, one to a pump-out fitting on deck and the other to an outside vent fitting to prevent a build-up of explosive gas inside the tank.

Do you flush toilet paper on a boat?

The only things that should go in your marine head are human waste and toilet paper. Illustration courtesy of Jabsco.

How do you install a boat head?

So there's going to be two two panels mounted here the first is going to be the actual flush control panel and it has four buttons on it has a regular flush a heavy-duty flush or water fill.

How do you install a marine head and holding tank?

So don't necessarily cop my erector set configuration here but if you're lucky enough you can put it right down flat on the deck but wherever you put it it needs to be well supported.

What is a electric head?

In the past, so-called electric heads were just manual heads that had been accessorized with a motor and seldom worked well. Unless conditions were just right, these heads could easily clog to epic proportions.