Not every boat has a toilet. On small fishing boats, day boats, open boats and older sailboats, installing a marine toilet may be impractical or simply unnecessary.
But sooner or later, everyone onboard needs to go.
For short trips, fishing, overnight stays or emergencies, there are several simple toilet alternatives for boats without a fixed marine toilet. One of the smallest and easiest to store is a portable urinal bottle.
What are the toilet options for a small boat?
If your boat does not have a marine toilet, the most common alternatives are portable chemical toilets, bucket-style toilets, disposable toilet bags and portable urinal bottles.
A portable toilet can be a good solution when you need a complete toilet onboard, but it also takes up valuable storage space. For urination only, a reusable urinal bottle is considerably smaller and can be stored in a locker until needed.
This makes it particularly useful on small boats, fishing boats and day boats where space is limited.
Why use a portable urinal on a boat?
Going over the side may seem like the obvious solution, but standing near the rail is not always a good idea – particularly at night, in cold weather or when the boat is moving.
A portable urinal allows you to remain in a more secure position onboard.
It can also be useful when:
- the boat has no toilet
- the onboard toilet is difficult to reach
- fishing alone or at night
- conditions are rough
- someone has limited mobility
- you do not want to leave the cockpit unnecessarily
For many boat owners, it is simply another small piece of emergency equipment that stays onboard until needed.
Can women use a portable urinal bottle?
Yes – provided the urinal is designed for it or has a suitable female adapter.
The Hippo Marine Portable Urinal includes a female adapter, allowing the same bottle to be used by both men and women.
This can be particularly useful on a small family boat where storage space is limited and you do not want to carry separate solutions for different people onboard.
What should you look for in a boat urinal?
A urinal intended for use onboard should be compact, reusable and easy to clean. Capacity is also important, as is a secure closure to reduce the risk of spills during storage.
For marine use, we recommend looking for:
- sufficient capacity
- a secure screw cap
- a comfortable handle
- a wide opening
- compatibility with both men and women
- easy cleaning
- compact and discreet storage
The Hippo Marine Boat Urinal has a capacity of 1.2 liters and comes with a female adapter and a black mesh storage bag.
View the Hippo Marine Portable Urinal →
How do you prevent spills from a urinal bottle?
Choose a bottle with a secure closure and avoid filling it completely if it will need to be moved before it can be emptied.
After use, close the screw cap securely and keep the bottle upright whenever possible. Empty and rinse it as soon as practical rather than leaving it filled onboard.
A dedicated storage bag also makes it easier to keep the bottle and adapter together and prevents them from moving around loose in a locker.
How do you clean a reusable urinal bottle?
Empty the bottle after use and rinse it thoroughly with water. Clean it regularly with warm water and a suitable mild cleaning product.
Rinse again after cleaning and allow the bottle and adapter to dry before storing them.
Regular cleaning is especially important in the warm and confined environment found inside many boats.
Is a urinal bottle only useful on boats without toilets?
Not necessarily.
Even boats with a marine toilet can benefit from having a portable urinal onboard. It can be useful during the night, when sailing in rough conditions or if the main toilet is temporarily unavailable.
It is also small enough to keep onboard as a backup.
For anglers spending long days on the water, it can be particularly convenient because there is no need to interrupt fishing to find a toilet ashore.
A simple solution to a very basic problem
Not every piece of boating equipment needs to be complicated.
If your boat does not have a toilet, a portable urinal is one of the simplest ways to solve one of the most basic practical problems onboard. It takes up little space, requires no installation and can be ready whenever it is needed.
The Hippo Marine Portable Urinal 8360 holds 1.2 liters, includes a female adapter for use by men and women and comes with a discreet black mesh storage bag.
