We are in process of purchasing a 1998 H280. We now find out there is no macerator pump in this model! Several questions arise: 1) the dealer says about $1200 will get one put in as they are a real bear to work on. 2)is it possible to do this job yourself,say after having the dealer just install a thru hull and valve for now so the pump and hoses can be added later,while in the water? 3) who else has faced this dilemma? It will be no fun running with a full holding tank when a pumpout is not available,say 5 or 10 miles offshore!. Appreciate your input. Pete Hobe Sound, Florida
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Paul Akers
Gotta empty somehow
Just because there is no macerator pump doesn't mean that you can't pump out. Not all boats have them. Most likely there is a manual pump to empty the tank so your fear is dissolved. Check it out. There will also be a thru-hull for the manual pump.
Just because there is no macerator pump doesn't mean that you can't pump out. Not all boats have them. Most likely there is a manual pump to empty the tank so your fear is dissolved. Check it out. There will also be a thru-hull for the manual pump.
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J. Tesoriero
Do it yourself
Get a hold of a West Marine or Boat/US catalog and look at the diagrams for the different way to install a holding tank. You can use a macerator in place of the manual pumps in any of these systems. I use a macerator to electrically (at the push of a button) to empty the bowl on the head and then rinse with some water. The macerator fills the holding tank, which I then empty at a pump-out station. Alternately, you can empty the bowl with the hand pump on the head and (using a y-valve) pump your tank overboard when out at sea.
Get a hold of a West Marine or Boat/US catalog and look at the diagrams for the different way to install a holding tank. You can use a macerator in place of the manual pumps in any of these systems. I use a macerator to electrically (at the push of a button) to empty the bowl on the head and then rinse with some water. The macerator fills the holding tank, which I then empty at a pump-out station. Alternately, you can empty the bowl with the hand pump on the head and (using a y-valve) pump your tank overboard when out at sea.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
$1200 sounds a little steep...
Have the dealer install the thru-hull & seacock--and make sure it goes where it will be easily accessible...because it should ALWAYS remain closed except when you're actually dumping the tank. Do the rest yourself for about $300 in materials. I wouldn't install an impeller macerator...I'd go with a diaphragm pump. About $100 more, but diaphragm pumps can run dry without harm...and so can be mounted further from the tank, even above it...making it possible to put it in location that's a lot more convenient, both to install and to operate. Once the thru-hull is in, you'll need the pump, a y-valve, a vented loop, some hose and hose clamps.
Have the dealer install the thru-hull & seacock--and make sure it goes where it will be easily accessible...because it should ALWAYS remain closed except when you're actually dumping the tank. Do the rest yourself for about $300 in materials. I wouldn't install an impeller macerator...I'd go with a diaphragm pump. About $100 more, but diaphragm pumps can run dry without harm...and so can be mounted further from the tank, even above it...making it possible to put it in location that's a lot more convenient, both to install and to operate. Once the thru-hull is in, you'll need the pump, a y-valve, a vented loop, some hose and hose clamps.
I'm with Paul
Pete: I'm with Paul on this. You probably have a holding tank on this boat and you also probably have a thru hull for overboard discharge too. NO ONE NEEDS a macerator. If you holding tank hold 12-15 gals that should hold a crew for 2-3 days at sea (you can alway pee overboard, if you have "outboard plumbing". The manual pump should empty this size tank with about 20-30 pumps and you are done. Have the broker or the surveyor check this out for you before you spend any money on something you may not NEED.
Pete: I'm with Paul on this. You probably have a holding tank on this boat and you also probably have a thru hull for overboard discharge too. NO ONE NEEDS a macerator. If you holding tank hold 12-15 gals that should hold a crew for 2-3 days at sea (you can alway pee overboard, if you have "outboard plumbing". The manual pump should empty this size tank with about 20-30 pumps and you are done. Have the broker or the surveyor check this out for you before you spend any money on something you may not NEED.
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Pete
Thanks for the input.
Appreciate the response on this. Per the dealer,the boat does not come with the manual pump out installed. At least as far as we know. They also said I would need a thru hull. Bottom line is: I will have them do the thru hull and valve then put in the pump later at my convenience,with my buddies help and guidance. The holding tank is 20 gals by the way.
Appreciate the response on this. Per the dealer,the boat does not come with the manual pump out installed. At least as far as we know. They also said I would need a thru hull. Bottom line is: I will have them do the thru hull and valve then put in the pump later at my convenience,with my buddies help and guidance. The holding tank is 20 gals by the way.
If that is the case.
Pete: I suppose that if this is the case you may as well get the entire thing taken care of with the purchase. If you are going as far as having the thru hull done. You are looking at $10 a foot for the hose and about $150 for a manual pump, $50-60 for a 'Y' valve and probably 5-6 hrs to install. Don't forget you will need clamps and probably a vented loop too.
Pete: I suppose that if this is the case you may as well get the entire thing taken care of with the purchase. If you are going as far as having the thru hull done. You are looking at $10 a foot for the hose and about $150 for a manual pump, $50-60 for a 'Y' valve and probably 5-6 hrs to install. Don't forget you will need clamps and probably a vented loop too.
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