Holding tank cleanout.

A

Admiral

.
Feb 25, 2014
95
Catalina 30 Grand Lake. Wyandotte, Ok.
I have a Catalina 30. I only use the head for #1. I used to use the dump station at the Marina I had the boat slipped at. I now have the boat at my own dock 37 miles away.

What are others using to pump out the holding tank on your own? I would like to know suggestions for tools, pumps etc. as well as techniques.
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,131
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
He's on a lake!

Most likely any macerator pump or overboard discharge methods have been removed. Just guessin' here, but...

To the OP: if you're still only doing #1, figure out some simple transfer method. IIRC, they make pumpouts on wheels, plastic tanks, for you to get the waste to a dump station of some sort, like your own home bathroom. Even if you do #2 on your boat, it's 80% or more water and will break down into liquid very soon.

You could also look into more sophisticated pumps that would hook up to the pump out fitting on your deck.

ITWMB, I'd figure out a way to add a simple additional small fitting on the tank and connect it to a pump on your dock with a long hose.

Good luck.
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,193
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Cart? There is a portable pump out cart from Todd but it's $600. I'd bet you could take an RV cart ($180) and use a reducer, a whale manual pump and hose, and make your own for maybe $350. Of course, you'd have to figure out how to dump it, but I'd bet you could get something tied into your sewage system. Heck, it's just money ;-)
 
A

Admiral

.
Feb 25, 2014
95
Catalina 30 Grand Lake. Wyandotte, Ok.
Stu and Rick. You both are on track with my thoughts. I really do not want to spend too much on it. Here is more info. Can't dump in lake. I have a septic system with clean outs for the house. I could utilize that for dumping. Electric on dock so that is not a problem. So my thoughts are:

How to pump out the tank with a hose or something? Where would be a good access point? Through the deck fitting or somewhere else like in line? I have not gotten to deep to investigate the "in line" idea yet. I have a 25 gallon barrel and dolly so that option is there. I also have a 12volt sureflow pump. That would work for liquids but probably not for particles. What about macerator pumps? Would an inexpensive one work?

Now I am looking for ease of use. Not too messy. If that is possible. And utilizing some things I already have or can get without too great of a cost.

Or if there is a better solution without spending upwards of $500 I would like to hear about it. I have looked at some units as mentioned above, however I am not into the price. Also looking for what everyone else does to get a better idea of options.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
RV

Only suggestion but look into a RV site,have seen in some RV sites that I get
emailed to me.
Some new sanitation systems that use smaller hoses like garden hose type
but a macerator is used first and than pump into a portable tank on wheels or not or into home system.
Nick
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
how about getting a 25 gallon shop vac and put a fitting on the suck hose that will go into the deck pump out
 
C

cest ah

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Jun 19, 2004
8
Hunter 23.5 Milford Lake Kansas
Re: RV

get large plastic barrel on a dolly. Needs 2 widely separated holes or ports..Rig 1 hose from 1 port to head access port, hook shopvac that don't love to other, maybe put a little Clorox in barrel and shopvac tank, pump to hearts content,wheel tank to septic access and dump. Have pumped a full use head with this,n.o problem
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Suction

The RV type pump does it with out sucking and just uses the down ward flow
and grinding into small hose but don't know how much pressure to up ward.
The pump out boats and marines use a really powerful pump to such out from
the top of holding tank and some macerators on sailboats pump from bottom of holding tank down over board.
Nick
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,193
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Well, I had a manual whale pump on my 32 that was way up high from a holding tank that was at nearly the water line. So, I would not doubt it would provide plenty of suction. I'd just get flexible 1 1/2 hose and a waste tank cuff for the hose and pump it out the deck fitting. Of course, you'll want to vent the tank you're pumping into.

BTW, look what I found!: http://nsgl.gso.uri.edu/ncu/ncug82002.pdf

Here's the manual pump:
http://www.whalepumps.com/Marine/pr..._ID=10028&FriendlyID=Manual-Black-Waste-pumps
 
Alec

Alec

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Sep 23, 2005
79
Catalina 28mkII Bohemia River, MD
It might be worth looking into whether a "Porta Potty" setup with a removable tank that you carry off the boat would fit. It should be pretty inexpensive and adequate for your light use.
 
R

rfrye1

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Jun 15, 2004
589
Hunter H376 San Diego
Well he didn't mention he was on a lake! ........
I agree with Rick. Buy your own portable pump out. Other wise he'll be using porta potty or manually pumping into bucket.
 
finding41

finding41

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Nov 23, 2011
2,023
MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada
I'm with the ShopVac crowd. You can set up a bucket in between the ShopVac and the boat. It will catch the stuff and the ShopVac stays clean. (As long as you don't fill the middle bucket...)
Look here: http://50.115.35.242/steliart/blog/21217
I use this type of set up in the shop for catching wood dust and shavings. I do it so the dust collector doesn't loose it's suction power by getting clogged with small particles. Some dust does get into the collector. Not much though. It all goes in the easy to empty bucket.
 
BobT

BobT

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Sep 29, 2008
239
Gulfstar 37 North East River, Chesapeake Bay
A porta pot will be the least expensive option and you can get rid of all the hoses and tank related junk that will stink in the near future if it does't already. FWIW, we use a C-head and carry off a gallon jug or two of piddle at the end of the weekend to dump and rinse in the yard at home. Easy enough to dump in a toilet at a marina if out cruising. Solids are no big deal either. A month of weekend use or a week of cruising for two go in a small trash bag and into the dumpster. A little bleach in the bag is recommended for civic duty.
 
A

Admiral

.
Feb 25, 2014
95
Catalina 30 Grand Lake. Wyandotte, Ok.
You all have great input and thanks for the links.

I did the porta pottie for years. It is easy but has to be done each trip out and will not hold enough for 6 adults drinking beer all day and night. You all know the chief wants it taken care of without handling the mess. Selling point as to why we needed a bigger boat.

I like the shop vac idea. Simple but may be harder to set up the tank to dump easy. The tank with the hand pump seems like a great idea. Now I know why I liked the Marina.
 
wonkodsane

wonkodsane

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Jul 25, 2009
270
Catalina 1989 C30 Mk II Herrington Harbour South, MD
Your marina (or one of the local marinas near you) doesn't have someone with a pump out boat, does it?

As an aside, I've been trying for a couple of years to empty my holding tank (it is never used) and the mobile pumpout folks have been by to do it twice. I realized what was wrong Saturday when I noticed that the waste outlet cap and fuel outlet cap were on the wrong outlets. They've been pumping trying to pump out the diesel tank :eek: and sucking air through the vent...fortunately I always knew the fuel filler was the aftmost outlet, I just hadn't ever paid attention to the writing on the caps. :doh:
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,131
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Porta potty is a splendid idea., Plus you can leave all the plumbing and the holding tank, just remove the head itself. KISS.
 
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