- or 'The DCA do it in Dinghies'

Over the years the DCA Bulletin has included articles about launching, reefing, centreboards, rudders, cooking, sleeping, tents, mizzens, capsizing, recovering (from capsizing as well as getting the boat back on the trailer) and practically every other aspect of dinghy cruising. But one subject has scarcely been discussed at all, except for a very occasional mention and a brief correspondence five years ago, but it is one that concerns all of us more often than almost any other - that of bodily functions in a cruising dinghy.

Perhaps one of the reasons that there are far more men than women dinghy cruising is that it is much easier for men in small open boats. There is a long tradition for men to pee over the side or stern of boats, even small open boats; but over the years quite a lot of them have fallen over the side while doing so, and several of them have drowned. It is better to kneel on the bottom boards and use the bailer, which can then be rinsed over the side. It is also a discreet position which can be used even when other boats are in the vicinity. To those who know all this, I apologise for stating the obvious, but relative new comers to cruising may appreciate some of what I write.

Waterproof clothing makes matter much more difficult. As most of us probably wear highwaisted trousers with braces, it means one has to take off the coat to lower the trousers. As conditions that require oilskins imply rough seas, one is severely handicapped both in trying to undress and in keeping one's balance in the boat thereafter. I have made myself a pair of highwaisted trousers with a zipped fly and Velcro storm flap, and it seems to be at least spray proof. I can't say it is easy to use but it is a great deal better than having to undress in the rain. When single handed it is necessary for the boat to lie to reasonably quietly while this is going on. I let the mainsail fly and leave the foresail pulling easily, and Dinah seems to be quite steady at that, and as one keeps one's weight low there seems little risk of upsetting.

Women have a similar problem all the time, and I can sympathise very readily with the strong preference that most of them have for a boat with a cabin, however small. In such boats a full sea heads may be fitted, but the plastic Porta Potti is an excellent piece of gear that also could find a place in an open boat of sufficient size. Otherwise a bucket is the usual extent of the equipment. A decorator's plastic paint kettle with a snap-on lid makes a more discreet receptacle in an open boat, or indeed elsewhere. But one's boat seldom seems to be in a private enough place to allow the necessary undressing in comfort. I know that an umbrella is useful in the desert to give some privacy, but how practical would it be in a small open boat? Some advice from DCA members would be helpful here.

When it comes to bowel movements we touch on the subject pollution, about which feelings are apt to run high. This was discussed in the Bulletin in 1992-3, and several suggestions were made then, some of which I repeat here as I have independently found them relevant or useful. Dinghy cruisers are few and it is easy to take the view that what we contribute is infinitesimal compared to the town's sewage outfall just out in the bay. But if we criticise that, as indeed we should, then we ought to do so from an unassailable position. I should add that good progress is apparently being made by the water companies to remedy this appalling anachronism.

Larger boats can, and perhaps should, carry a Porta Potti or similar chemical loo with a holding tank, which can be emptied ashore, although not of course into the sewer which discharges into the sea! These are quite reasonable things to live with, being of moderate size and almost odourless. Only the lower half, the tank, need be carried ashore for emptying. Incidentally it is helpful to put a couple of pieces of lavatory paper in the bottom of the pan before performing as it is then easier to flush.

Most DCA people seem to have a remarkably strong attraction to pubs. This allows useful access to lavatories, but alas tends to promote demand as well as relieving it. Public lavatories ashore are usually easy to get to, if you know where to find them, but unfortunately they may be locked in the evenings. Those who go to the wild places should carry a garden trowel so that they can go ashore and dig a little hole, and cover it up afterwards. One can use the hole directly, but it is not particularly comfortable; you may find it more so if you take a bucket with you, and empty it into the hole afterwards.

If your boat is so small that you have to use a bucket and chuck it, either on land or sea, it has been suggested that a piece of paper be placed in the bucket first; but a few inches of water is sufficient to make the bucket easily rinsed out afterwards, and keeps the bits of floating paper to a minimum. A thought should be given to the state of the tide at the time of the performance, an ebb tide would normally be preferable, although this is seldom important as the solids usually sink and the paper soon dissolves. A look in the baby and toddler section of shops like Boots might reveal a range of disposal goods that could be useful but I have not done any research into this.

I am not sure whether we are still actually allowed to use sea heads or the dinghy equivalent in inshore waters, but as we cannot guarantee that we can control our functions, there will inevitably be occasions when we will have to go, whatever the regulations might say. Having said that I feel sure we all appreciate the benefit of avoiding fouling the waters in which we sail.

I doubt if I have by any means comprehensively dealt with this subject, but I hope that it might now be brought into the mainstream of discussion among DCA members after being so long ignored.