Can a manual head do the job?

[sailaway78]

Tim R your technically correct

Your correct on the lack of need for the valve, by using the seal on the pump out fitting and the shut off on the thru hull. But I don't think the coasties or the epa'ers will buy it. It is my understanding that in some states/places they not only demand that you have the valve, but that it be tied off to the pump out position or locked that way. I have also heard that what they are doing in some places is put a packet of die in the commode and flush it. If any die shows up in the water, your in the dog house. Peggy is probably waaaaaaaaay ahead of me on knowledge of the regs, but it varies so much from state to state and place to place, I would certainly make sure before I eliminated the valve. Of course you know that common sense has no place in any gummit regulations.

 

[sailingdog]

The USCG, at least where I am, has asked that I "lock" the valve.

 

[Tim R.]

I believe the Y-valve being locked only applies to heads that pump directly overboard through that valve.

The inspections around here look for the seacock to be locked if your head pumps only to a holding tank according to some friends in the USCGA. If you put dye in my head and pump it, there is no possible way for it to get into the water even if the seacock is open and there is a y-valve(in either position so locking it does nothing).

I could be wrong so I will defer to Peggy's knowledge on this.

 

[sailingdog]

Tim-

On my boat, the head can't discharge overboard directly. It no longer has the capability to do that. However, there is a diverter valve in the pumpout fitting line for the holding tank which would allow me to pump the entire holding tank overboard. The local USCG prefers that I lock the diverter valve in the deck fitting position.

 

[Ross]

I have an Edson 30 pump and hose and fittings that will allow me to do my pump out anywhere, anytime from the deck fitting. The pump also serve as an emergency bilge pump. One gallon per stroke.

 

[sailingdog]

Ross-

If I'm five miles out...I'd rather not be mucking about on deck to try and pump out the holding tank... that's asking to get covered with stuff you'd rather not be wearing... much simpler to be able to pump out the holding tank from inside the head... far less messy too.