I'm converting from an old Lectra/San to a holding tank. My tank will be located well above the water line. I plan on plumbing directly into the holding tank then going to a Y valve that will allow directing to the pump out deck fitting or the thru-hull for overboard discharge when well offshore. Is it OK to put the discharge fitting on the very bottom of the tank to assist draining the tank? With the tank well above the water line and gravity helping, can I do without the macerator pump?
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Why not just replace the Lectra/San??
Or better yet, just have it refurbished by Raritan...which will prob'ly cost you about the same as replacing it with a tank and all the related plumbing. I dunno why anyone would opt to store waste aboard when it can be treated and discharged legally and--unlike a tankful of waste, even well offshore--without ANY harm to the environment. And--also unlike a holding tank--the Lectra/San is virtually maintenance free...just clean it (which doesn't even require opening it, just a solution of muriatic acid down the toilet according to directions) occasionally--since you're in warm waters, that would be 3-4 x a year. But if you insist on doing it anyway...yes, you can put the discharge port on the bottom of a tank that will drain overboard via gravity, but I'd recommend that you go with two separate discharge ports instead of just one with a y-valve and strongly recommend that you also install a shutoff valve at the tank in the line to the thru-hull to prevent waste from sitting in that hose to permeate it.
Or better yet, just have it refurbished by Raritan...which will prob'ly cost you about the same as replacing it with a tank and all the related plumbing. I dunno why anyone would opt to store waste aboard when it can be treated and discharged legally and--unlike a tankful of waste, even well offshore--without ANY harm to the environment. And--also unlike a holding tank--the Lectra/San is virtually maintenance free...just clean it (which doesn't even require opening it, just a solution of muriatic acid down the toilet according to directions) occasionally--since you're in warm waters, that would be 3-4 x a year. But if you insist on doing it anyway...yes, you can put the discharge port on the bottom of a tank that will drain overboard via gravity, but I'd recommend that you go with two separate discharge ports instead of just one with a y-valve and strongly recommend that you also install a shutoff valve at the tank in the line to the thru-hull to prevent waste from sitting in that hose to permeate it.
Thanks Peggy. I really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. My concern with keeping the Lectra/San is that I don't think I can use it in the Keys. If I need a holding tank in addition to the E/S I might as well elliminate the power usage the Electra/San has and just go with the holding tank.
Unless you plan to spend a lot of time in the Keys
you'd need a much smaller tank--one you'd only use while you're there--in addition to the L/S than you'd need for full time use...'cuz the Keys and Destin Harbor are the only "no discharge" waters in the whole Gulf. Something else to consider that you may not be aware of: the "3 mile limit" doesn't apply on the west coast of FL south of Tampa Bay...in those waters, you must go at least 9 miles offshore to dump a tank legally--a long way to go if you have to up anchor because the tank is full. As for the power consumption from the L/S, actual average daily consumption by two people is only 17 AH/day...barely noticeable on the boat the size of yours. But it's your decision...just some things for you to consider before you do anything irrevocable.
you'd need a much smaller tank--one you'd only use while you're there--in addition to the L/S than you'd need for full time use...'cuz the Keys and Destin Harbor are the only "no discharge" waters in the whole Gulf. Something else to consider that you may not be aware of: the "3 mile limit" doesn't apply on the west coast of FL south of Tampa Bay...in those waters, you must go at least 9 miles offshore to dump a tank legally--a long way to go if you have to up anchor because the tank is full. As for the power consumption from the L/S, actual average daily consumption by two people is only 17 AH/day...barely noticeable on the boat the size of yours. But it's your decision...just some things for you to consider before you do anything irrevocable.
Thanks again for you thoughts Peggy. You make some good points. It sounds like some combination of the two solutions would be the more prudent way to go for the waters where I cruise.
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