Among the four flushing portable toilets that PS tested, were two from Thetford, including the 155, above, which we deemed the best value.

Aboard boats, head is indeed a four-letter word. Nothing good about 'em. They stink, leak, clog and break down. Not at all like your residential toilet that just seems to keep flushing as reliably and tirelessly as the Energizer bunny bangs his drum. But, of course, you have to have a head…or do you?

We'll explore that question vis a vis several products that aren't much more than buckets—or bags—with lids. First, however, we'll examine four popular portable toilets, whose low cost and utter simplicity might make you think twice about your "real" marine head, with pumps, hoses, springs, valves, through-hulls and myriad other failure-prone parts. …