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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Pump-a-head?

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Scotd
Navigator

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USA
136 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/04/2004 : 22:13:39

What have you used to clean out holding tank when you don't have a pump-a-head at the marina?

Scot Dannenbring
"Getaway"
#3376 1982 SK/SR
Rapid City, SD
http://rap.midco.net/scotd6/

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2004 : 22:23:52

A straw?

Seriously, you can buy either a manual or an electric waste pump to empty your holding tank into a container for you to haul away.

Edited by - dlucier on 01/04/2004 22:33:40

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 01/04/2004 : 22:41:28

"... when you don't have a pump-a-head at the marina?... "

Er.. pump it out at midnight into that drag-boat that was blasting through the anchorage?
(heh.... only kidding)...

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/05/2004 : 08:06:15

Scot, IMHO the approach would depend upon how often and what degree of ease is wanted or needed.

My approach (for a trailer sailor who cruises sometimes three weeks at a time on the Great Lakes) was to put the pump onboard as my alternate discharge method is into the clean out near my driveway. A fitting is screwed into the deck plate and an old garden hose is attached. This of course also allows dumping at any RV station, or the standard pump out at an equipped marina.

It would also of course provide pumping ability into a jerry can and thats about like dealing with a porti potty. It does require a bit of a plumbing tree within the boat to make it work. The pic details the plumbing at the rear of the c250 wet locker where it really doesn't compromise the space... two sets of foulies plus jackets will still hang there and the valve required for self discharging is easy to access.

A slipped boat is another story however, and I think an external pump is simpler and makes more sense. The marina either ought to provide a portable system for your use, or at the minimum provide access to a clean out for discharge. This might mean that if the marina or yacht club doesn't provide a portable system, a few boat neighbors should combine efforts to build one.

If the marina has no clean out... or as very often is the case... a discharge point is well away from the water front making it difficult, a contract with a porti john company might work to collect weekly the contents of the portable tank.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 01/05/2004 08:21:06

Scotd
Navigator

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USA
136 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2004 : 00:09:02

Wow those are some great Ideas. The lake we sail has a pump-a-head that does not work. I do like the idea for the electric pump so I can clean it out where ever we sail. I was looking at West Marine and I guess was surprized by the prices of the pumps... WOW, Maybe I will buy a wet/dry shop vac.... LOL

Now remember this is South Dakota, some places still use the out houses.

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2004 : 13:10:58

Dont be single minded, you can get the same parts at often cheaper prices from a local RV store.

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 01/06/2004 : 14:43:17

I got one of these http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001& langId=-1& catalogId=10001& productId=14951
kind of pricy, but it works great.

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capn rick
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 01/07/2004 : 10:11:48

My '81 has a thru hull bypass to the holding tank with a screw type brass valve (like a garden hose tap) The fitting to the holding tank has been unscrewed since I bought the boat in 98.
I know I know-illegal on inland waters...but I've decided I'll outrun the Coast Guard if they ever attempt a boarding inspection. :)
Capn Rick
s/v "Cavale" incognito, for now...

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2004 : 20:08:45

I know you are laughing about the wet dry vac, but with a few mods that's how I empty my holding tank should I get stranded. The vac sets up the vacuum and the "stuff" goes into a 5 gal paint bucket to be disposed of somewhere else.

BTW This may seem a bit odd for a topic but having been pumped out in so many places and manners I have begun to compare and rate pumpouts. The worst was at Richard's Landing Ont. (an otherwise lovely town and marina) performed by a manual pump with a sloshy tank on a cart. The best at the new marina in Sault St. Marie MI. complete pumpout with good pressure, and two complete fresh water flushes and re-pumps.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.