My H26 waterballast boat came equipped with a 2.5 gallon holding tank on a portapottie. I replaced that holding tank with a 5 gallon tank. This holding tank is still not giving me enough freedom away from the dock. What are some reasonably priced, easy to do, projects to expand or increase the holding tank. Terry
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Additional tank
I carry an extra tank for the San-i-pottie along with me. They seal up well, so when one is full, I just swap it out. Michael
I carry an extra tank for the San-i-pottie along with me. They seal up well, so when one is full, I just swap it out. Michael
Plan B...
Assuming that your 5.6 gal portapotty has been permanently installed and fitted for pumpout (I can't imagine anyone willingly carrying a tank that weighs 50 lbs on and off the boat): Find a good location for a 10-12 gal holding tank. Reroute the pumpout hose from the portapotty tank to it, with a macerator or manual pump inline to transfer the waste. Run the pumpout line from the second tank to the deck pumpout fitting. The second tank will also have to be vented, which will require putting another vent thru-hull in (no...you can't tie it into the portapotty tank vent), but that's the only major part of the job. Any other solution will require a new toilet AND a tank, and a below-waterline thru-hull and seacock for flush water supply...and you'd need at least a 20 gallon tank to have any noticeable improvement in the number of flushes compared to what your portapotty tank holds.
Assuming that your 5.6 gal portapotty has been permanently installed and fitted for pumpout (I can't imagine anyone willingly carrying a tank that weighs 50 lbs on and off the boat): Find a good location for a 10-12 gal holding tank. Reroute the pumpout hose from the portapotty tank to it, with a macerator or manual pump inline to transfer the waste. Run the pumpout line from the second tank to the deck pumpout fitting. The second tank will also have to be vented, which will require putting another vent thru-hull in (no...you can't tie it into the portapotty tank vent), but that's the only major part of the job. Any other solution will require a new toilet AND a tank, and a below-waterline thru-hull and seacock for flush water supply...and you'd need at least a 20 gallon tank to have any noticeable improvement in the number of flushes compared to what your portapotty tank holds.
Hello Peggy
Just wanted to know how you have been. Just opened another office on the coast with the big boats. Take care girl
Just wanted to know how you have been. Just opened another office on the coast with the big boats. Take care girl
Hi Peggy
Wish you were in my neck of the woods. We would get my wife and the three of us would go sailing. If you do come to my turf, we do have a couple of the larger Hunters in the water for you to go out on at any time my friend. Ok let me run. I have to go 4 hours to take care of a boat today but that trip I am looking for. I get to tour a submarine which I am looking for.
Wish you were in my neck of the woods. We would get my wife and the three of us would go sailing. If you do come to my turf, we do have a couple of the larger Hunters in the water for you to go out on at any time my friend. Ok let me run. I have to go 4 hours to take care of a boat today but that trip I am looking for. I get to tour a submarine which I am looking for.
thanks Mike and Peggy
to Mike -- that is an obvious and good solution. Where in the world are you storing the extra full holding tank? to Peggy -- how does your proposal work? Does one wait until the original 5 gallon holding tank fills and then somehow pump the waste over to the other holding tank? Please help me understand this. I would assume I cut a hole in the original holding tank near the bottom and then run the hose to the top of the added tank. What size hose are we talking about and what sort of pump -- can you give me a model # at West Marine? I think I could put the additional tank in the lower part of the H26 head clothes closet. I think both of the solutions above are within my ability and neither require a hole in the bottom of the boat. thanks folks
to Mike -- that is an obvious and good solution. Where in the world are you storing the extra full holding tank? to Peggy -- how does your proposal work? Does one wait until the original 5 gallon holding tank fills and then somehow pump the waste over to the other holding tank? Please help me understand this. I would assume I cut a hole in the original holding tank near the bottom and then run the hose to the top of the added tank. What size hose are we talking about and what sort of pump -- can you give me a model # at West Marine? I think I could put the additional tank in the lower part of the H26 head clothes closet. I think both of the solutions above are within my ability and neither require a hole in the bottom of the boat. thanks folks
Carefull Terry,
Peggy frowns on the spare porta-pot tank idea. If you go that way, probabley best to store it flat in case of seal failure and well secured, maybe in the storage area behind the stern berths. Personally, I think it's a good low-tech, low-cost and non-labor intensive solution. Still, dumping the tank is, well, gross. There are porta-pot models that have an option to plumb their tanks (usually the ones with the 5 gal+ tanks) to a deck pump-out or into another holding tank via a macerator/pump. You would then attach the newer standard holding tank to a pump-out fitting on deck. Depending on the model porta-pot you have now, you may need to purchase a few screw-on parts to convert it to the pump-out version. Essentially the one I know of (if I recall) replaces the waste cap, with a cap that has a vent and sewage fiting on the outside and has a tube on the other side dipping into the lowest part of the tank. Of course you would then have to do the rest of the plumbing. The last time this discussion came up, Peggy and others were trying to sell me on a Lectra-San type one treatment unit. This may also be a solution for you. Also, look at the SeaLand Marine Traeler Head. I'm thinking of both. alan
Peggy frowns on the spare porta-pot tank idea. If you go that way, probabley best to store it flat in case of seal failure and well secured, maybe in the storage area behind the stern berths. Personally, I think it's a good low-tech, low-cost and non-labor intensive solution. Still, dumping the tank is, well, gross. There are porta-pot models that have an option to plumb their tanks (usually the ones with the 5 gal+ tanks) to a deck pump-out or into another holding tank via a macerator/pump. You would then attach the newer standard holding tank to a pump-out fitting on deck. Depending on the model porta-pot you have now, you may need to purchase a few screw-on parts to convert it to the pump-out version. Essentially the one I know of (if I recall) replaces the waste cap, with a cap that has a vent and sewage fiting on the outside and has a tube on the other side dipping into the lowest part of the tank. Of course you would then have to do the rest of the plumbing. The last time this discussion came up, Peggy and others were trying to sell me on a Lectra-San type one treatment unit. This may also be a solution for you. Also, look at the SeaLand Marine Traeler Head. I'm thinking of both. alan
He can't use a Lectra/San on Lake Erie, Alan
Unfortunately, all the Great Lakes are "no discharge"...holding tanks only, pumpout only. I don't "frown on" spare portapotty tanks...they make me nervous. The potential for spilling or leaking...finding a place to store it...and just carrying one 5+ gallon tank that weighs about 50 lbs off the boat to dump it is hard enough...but two?? Too much potential for disaster IMO. Replacing the whole thing with a SeaLand 711-M28 Marine Traveler MIGHT be a solution...it depends on whether there's enough room in the head for the tank footprint (approx 20" x 20")...and whether his boat carries enough fresh water...it uses pressurized flush water--something you need to consider if you're thinking about a Lectra/San, 'cuz it needs salt water. Terry, as Alan said, portpotties are available in two models--portable only (which is what you apparently have) and "MSD" models that have pumpout and vent fittings so that they can be permanently installed. You COULD convert yours by cutting a hole for the vent fitting (use a bulkhead fitting) and replacing the cap on the tank with a thread-barb hose fitting and a section of PVC pipe...create a pickup tube by cementing the pipe to the inside of the fitting. It might be easier to watch eBay for a good buy on a new portapotty that's already fitted for pumpout. Then, as Allen said, run the hose to the second tank with either a manual diaphragm pump or a macerator inline to move the waste from the portapotty tank to the second larger tank.
Unfortunately, all the Great Lakes are "no discharge"...holding tanks only, pumpout only. I don't "frown on" spare portapotty tanks...they make me nervous. The potential for spilling or leaking...finding a place to store it...and just carrying one 5+ gallon tank that weighs about 50 lbs off the boat to dump it is hard enough...but two?? Too much potential for disaster IMO. Replacing the whole thing with a SeaLand 711-M28 Marine Traveler MIGHT be a solution...it depends on whether there's enough room in the head for the tank footprint (approx 20" x 20")...and whether his boat carries enough fresh water...it uses pressurized flush water--something you need to consider if you're thinking about a Lectra/San, 'cuz it needs salt water. Terry, as Alan said, portpotties are available in two models--portable only (which is what you apparently have) and "MSD" models that have pumpout and vent fittings so that they can be permanently installed. You COULD convert yours by cutting a hole for the vent fitting (use a bulkhead fitting) and replacing the cap on the tank with a thread-barb hose fitting and a section of PVC pipe...create a pickup tube by cementing the pipe to the inside of the fitting. It might be easier to watch eBay for a good buy on a new portapotty that's already fitted for pumpout. Then, as Allen said, run the hose to the second tank with either a manual diaphragm pump or a macerator inline to move the waste from the portapotty tank to the second larger tank.
Load distribution
I've learned, having delt with back problems over the years, that carringing 50# in each arm is easier on the back than 50# in one arm only. If that's too much, empty before they are full, and carring 30#-40# in each arm. Keeping the loads symmetrical is the key. Having a second tank, shouldn't be any more to worry about than the 1st, as long as it is properly secured, after being filled.
I've learned, having delt with back problems over the years, that carringing 50# in each arm is easier on the back than 50# in one arm only. If that's too much, empty before they are full, and carring 30#-40# in each arm. Keeping the loads symmetrical is the key. Having a second tank, shouldn't be any more to worry about than the 1st, as long as it is properly secured, after being filled.
aware of the restrictions
No need to remind me of the dumping restrictions which I fully support. I have my present 5 gal potti bolted to the floor and with a pumpout in the lazarette. The system has worked well. However, I do need more holding tank space. I might go with Peggy's idea. I need to have 1)a back up holding tank that fits in the available space 2)a suitable way to pump from the potti to the tank 3)a holding tank well built so that pump out really cleans it all out. I think that even a built in backup of only 10 gal would give me tripple the holding tank volume I now have, so I don't need to go too big. Thanks for everyone's input.
No need to remind me of the dumping restrictions which I fully support. I have my present 5 gal potti bolted to the floor and with a pumpout in the lazarette. The system has worked well. However, I do need more holding tank space. I might go with Peggy's idea. I need to have 1)a back up holding tank that fits in the available space 2)a suitable way to pump from the potti to the tank 3)a holding tank well built so that pump out really cleans it all out. I think that even a built in backup of only 10 gal would give me tripple the holding tank volume I now have, so I don't need to go too big. Thanks for everyone's input.
Size of the second tank
You need to go with a tank that holds a multiple of the volume of your portapotty tank...iow, if the portapotty holds 5.6 gallons, the second tank should be 11.5-12 gallons. Reason: it's just about impossible to guess exactly how much is in the portapotty tank...a macerator moves 12 gal/minute, manual diaphragm pump about 3 gallons/stroke. So if the second tank only holds 10 gallons you can overflow the tank very quickly if you underestimate how much is in the portapotty. But if the tank holds at least twice as much as the portapotty holds, you don't have to worry about it...you know that you can empty the portapotty into it twice. You don't want it to be much more than 1/2 gallon bigger, though...that would result in wasted capacity, or, you risk overflowing it if you try to maximize it.
You need to go with a tank that holds a multiple of the volume of your portapotty tank...iow, if the portapotty holds 5.6 gallons, the second tank should be 11.5-12 gallons. Reason: it's just about impossible to guess exactly how much is in the portapotty tank...a macerator moves 12 gal/minute, manual diaphragm pump about 3 gallons/stroke. So if the second tank only holds 10 gallons you can overflow the tank very quickly if you underestimate how much is in the portapotty. But if the tank holds at least twice as much as the portapotty holds, you don't have to worry about it...you know that you can empty the portapotty into it twice. You don't want it to be much more than 1/2 gallon bigger, though...that would result in wasted capacity, or, you risk overflowing it if you try to maximize it.
peggy, another question
I like the system you suggest and will go that route. Your comment about being a little more than double the size of the original tank is a good observation. Could you steer me to the web site, West Marine model #s, or such of the two pumps and tanks that you keep referring to so that I can see exactly what you are talking about? Thanks! Terry
I like the system you suggest and will go that route. Your comment about being a little more than double the size of the original tank is a good observation. Could you steer me to the web site, West Marine model #s, or such of the two pumps and tanks that you keep referring to so that I can see exactly what you are talking about? Thanks! Terry
Best tank source is Ronco Plastics
They build top quality thickwalled tanks for a very reasonable price and have more than 400 shapes and sizes to choose from, including over 100 that are non-rectangular: http://www.ronco-plastics.com Search the West Marine, BOAT/US and Defender catalogs for Jabsco macerator pumps and Whale manual diaphragm pumps.
They build top quality thickwalled tanks for a very reasonable price and have more than 400 shapes and sizes to choose from, including over 100 that are non-rectangular: http://www.ronco-plastics.com Search the West Marine, BOAT/US and Defender catalogs for Jabsco macerator pumps and Whale manual diaphragm pumps.
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