HOW TO...Pump out waste 1986 31'

[Night Wind]

With out sounding to ingnorant, I just purchased this boat about four months ago and to be completely honest I have never pumpedout the waste yet. Obviously I know where the cap is on the fwd starboard side of the deck and the tank is under the V-berth, However there is a valve by the tank. Should I open this valve then suck out or....? My marina has a pump out station that I plan on trying today. I have my manual and I am not completely stupid, but I just don't want to have an accident with waste on by boat.

 

[petersea]

Nighwind, you are on the right path just need to fine tune it a little. The pump will suck it out at the deck pump out. The valve you are talking about will depend on how you system is set it, not sure if this is a shut off valve or a "Y" valve that will direct waste overboard or to the pump out deck. You need to do a little research and figure out what is going on, you will want to have the overboard thru hull closed (if you even have one) and the tank valve open (if that is what you have) or the Y valve should be open to the deck pump out. Depending on how the system was set up will determine what you need to do Some boats have overboard discharge and some only have pump out discharge. Maybe you could ask a dock mate or the pump out operator (marina employee) to help you the first time. This is not a difficult operation but I do understand your apprehension. Ask for some help most people will be more then happy to assists.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

To simplify what petersea said...

If there's a Y-valve in the pumpout line, you only need to make sure that it's open in the direction of the deck pumpout...the handle on it lines up in the direction of flow. The dock pumpout will suck the waste out of the tank.

It's much more important to make sure the tank vent isn't blocked, which is likely if the boat has sat for a while...'cuz if the vent is blocked, the pumpout suction will pull a vacuum that will prevent anything from being pumped out and COULD implode the tank. So trace the vent line to the vent thru-hull...then from the outside, poke a screwdriver blade or anything that'll go into it in it and scrape out anything you find. If there's a screen on the thru-hull, knock it out...it's not serving any useful purpose.

Do not turn the pumpout over to a dock hand and walk away...stand there and watch the site glass in the pumpout line to make sure waste IS being pumped out. If you know the tank has more in it that comes out, stop pumping out till you know what's preventing it and have fixed it.

Since this is your first pumpout, you should also thoroughly rinse out the tank after all the waste has been pumped out. To do that, put a couple of gallons of clean water into the tank via the deck pumpout fitting--'cuz that sends the water into the tank at the bottom to stir up any sludge...pump that out. Repeat...repeat...till you're pumping out only clean water. This should be done at least 2-3x/season and especially in preparation for winter layup.

You might want to check out the link in my signature...it goes to a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual that will help you learn how to maintain your system to prevent problems instead of fixing 'em...prevention is always cheaper and easier than cure.