DIY head pumpout

[jcrumpley]

I thought I'd share what I just did for the benefit of others with a head on their boat but no easy accessible pump out station. I was surprised this worked but it did. I bought a Home Depot bucket head wet vac. I bought two buckets with lids with rubber seals. This thing pulled 4 gallons out of the head on my 2006 HUNTER 25 in about five minutes. Once that one stopped, I just move the vac to the second bucket and pulled the rest out. I then put the lids on the sealed buckets and carried them to my pickup. I have an Free RV dump station nearby to empty them.

All in all, pumping out this way was easier and no dirtier than using a pump out station. The price of the equipment can't be beat at about 40 dollars.

My head typically is only used for liquid waste with marine toilet paper. Your results may vary.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I would suggest that you clean the buckets after each use with a little chlorox. You have a simple solution and are most fortunate you have a place to dump. You are correct about what goes in. I am not sure what style head either the marine head style or the porta poti head style with a pump out on the deck. If you have the marine head style, suggest a little white vinegar to be thrown into the head and allowed to remain in the line going to the holding tank as it is a great deorderizer and will save you in the future on replacing smelly lines.

Crazy Dave Condon

 

[Hugh Straub]

I read with interest about the bucket head wet vac approach to a thoroughly unpleasant task. After years of repeated rebuilding of unreliable manual heads and the equally miserable task of emptying of porta pottie tanks, I finally took the hint from the many dog owners in my neighborhood. Perhaps you've seen them too, the ones carrying small plastics bags full of dog dirt.

I went to the camping section of Academy Sporting goods and bought an inexpensive three legged folding camp "throne". (made by Reliance I think) Then off to Walmart for heavy duty trash compacter plastic bags. I have read that for liquid waste, putting a scoop of kitty litter in the bag is useful. As I'm a guy, liquid waste has not been not a concern. The folded throne stows neatly in the compartment under my V berth, freeing up the deck space which otherwise would be occupied by a port a pottie. Used bags are stowed in one of the cockpit lockers until taken ashore. Simple, no stink, and no worse than walking a dog.

This is not a perfect solution, but for me its the best alternative considering the limited space a small boat affords and the yuck factor of the other options.

Kind regards

Hugh