Holding tank OB discharge - macerator or manual?

[Skipper]

For those who have used both for OB holding tank discharge: Which is preferred for reliability - an electric macerator or a manual diaphragm pump?

I've had the macerator on previous boat. It was good. However, on this boat I would like to be free of wiring during the installation, and would like to hear reliability reports for both, in addition to my own experience.

 

[thinwater]

I too am based in the central Chesapeake. Even during many extended Delmarva trips, I've never needed to pump-out on the ocean side, so I'm not sure it matters. I've tested my manual pump a few times--works fine--but I can't see adding either the complexity or the weight for something I will simply never need. Pump-out is readily available all along the coast. While there are some gaps in pump-out station coverage, it has never even been an inconvinience.

If I were going to use it frequently I would go electric; manual is a lot of pumping.

 

[dparilla]

I have had both, and liked using either one. Our macerator though finally quit on an offshore run last year, so we had to get to a pump out in order to evacuate the tank and change the macerator. When we had a manual pump on a previous boat, it never failed, and only took a few pumps to empty the tank. In the end though, we replaced the macerator with a raritan hold and treat (holding tank and electroscan combo). That way we usually treat and discharge almost right away unless we are staying in Herring Bay or in another NDZ. It is nice to only hit the pump out before winter layup. This summer we will be cruising LIS, so we will be using the holding tank / pump out combination while on the sound.

 

[BioAndy]

I like to keep things simple (inexpensive and reliable). I set up my waste holding tank with a manual Whale MarineToilet Waste/Bilge diaphram Pump model BP0527 for overboard discharge in addition to the deck pumpout. I only have 20 gal tank so not many pump strokes to empty when offshore. Had a macerator on a previous boat that I was never really comfortable with nor understood the need for. I'm not knocking macerators, just don't see the need for a complex system for my coastal cruising style.
Andy