No Pumpout Hull Through

[TightlyStrung]

Hi there.. First time poster... long time reader :dance:.

I bought a 79 Hunter 27 over the summer in pretty decent condition. The head is not quite up to snuff and the previous owner would use the head and simply use the overboard discharge to empty its contents.. Since that is something I do not want to do I would like to resolve this problem.

The boat is not equipped to be pumped out.

There is not much in the "holding tank" but I want to remove this thing with as little contents as possible.

With winter coming and the head having been previously used. What is the best way to empty its contents so I can remove this thing and put in a cassette type head?

Could the head be pumped out in theory through the bowl? Or do I have to do something unpleasant like disconnect the discharge hose and pump it into a bucket?

 

[kloudie1]

Need to know a little more about how the beast is plumbed in.. You cannot pump out through the head because of the joker valve at the head outlet and, the head discharge enters the top of the tank without a dip tube. (the discharge is not below the liquid level inside the tank)
You should have a pump out fitting on the tank, usually same size as the head discharge , 1.5". There should also be a vent fitting, usually 1/2" or 5/8" Make sure this is clear. .. The pump-out fitting will be either at the lowest point or it will be on top with a dip tube inside that would allow you to pump out the contents. This fitting should go to a deck fitting labeled "Waste" That is where the tank would be pumped. If it is not connected, you can rig a temporary hose to the pump out fitting on the tank and hook the pump out to the temp hose.. Have a fresh water hose handy and fill the tank by filling the toilet bowl with fresh water repeatedly and pumping to the holding tank.. then pumping the tank out through the temporary hose or the waste fitting.. ya may want to do that a couple of times to clear the head itself. Next Fill the tank through the waste fitting or the temporary hose and pump it out a couple more times.. Should be relatively clean but it will STINK !! remove hoses/plug all tank outlets so the little water inside does not get everywhere as you are carrying it away. Best of luck !

 

[TightlyStrung]

Thanks kloudie1.. I'll take a better look tonight and take some pictures.. It doesn't appear to have a vent fitting.. only the overboard discharge.. the head empties directly below into what appears to be a holding tank.. next to the head is a pump handle/plunger that has a hose to the side that goes directly overboard. Which is the only visible hose. There definitely isn't a deck fitting for waste. I've looked on both sides of the bulkheads as well as under cabin seating and the vberth for additional hoses or entry into the head but so far haven't found anything.

 

[svchickadee]

How about one dishonest pump overboard? Then get a really thick plastic garbage bag and slide it around the tank. Then remove the hoses and lift the tank out. You will need a really good pair of rubber gloves.

 

[kloudie1]

Check this out, Tight.. it shows what ya may be dealing with..
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...d=10001&page=Heads-Holding-Tanks#.UFODMrKPXhc
If the head goes directly overboard, then the tank should have nothing in it..?? and openings already plugged??

 

[TightlyStrung]

I've looked at that page before.. so take the picture and put the head directly on top of the tank with an overboard discharge from the tank.. I'll take a picture.. I haven't seen or found any literature on anything similar.. Its not a previous owner hack job either. This thing appears stock.

 

[kloudie1]

OOOHHHHHHHH.. My mistake !! Ya have a weird one !! (as Monica said to Bill)

I am out of my league on that one !! we need the Head Mistress for setting old ones like that straight.

 

[heritage]

Is the overboard discharge thru-hull below or above the water line? Does the head/holding tank setup have one or two manual pumps?

 

[Joe]

This does sound like Peggy problem..... you might try contacting her privately through the website.

 

[Stu Jackson]

She retired.

It really sounds strange to have a boat without a pumpout ability. Claude's right, we need more info.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Does it kinda look like this ? How far are you from the 3 mile limit ? Maybe just go out and make sure it's empty?

 

[TightlyStrung]

It looks very similar to the above picture.. The holding area may be a little larger to accomodate the pump which would be elevated behind the lever. It discharges above the water line. Sorry no photos yet.. I didn't make it down to the boat this weekend.

Unfortunately it would take me several days to hit the 3 mile limit. I'm thinking my only real option is to pump it into a bucket and dump it into the waste disposal station at the marina.

 

[heritage]

I've never heard of a holding tank with an overboard discharge thru-hull above the waterline. That sounds a little messy....

 

[Rick D]

Funny Story...

First. let me apologize for injecting some humor into a less-than-funny predicament.
So, a friend of mine who had a power boat invites everyone over for cocktails. About a half-dozen dinghies tie up and the party begins. Of course what goes in has to go out, so there was a lot of traffic to his head. Well, one of the guys with the brand new dinghy pulls his back to the swim step to find it with about five gallons of holding tank in it. Seems it was just below the vent and the tank was full. Since he had an electric head, no one noticed the resistance you would have felt on a manual.

 

[kloudie1]

Head outlet line above waterline was not too uncommon up until the 80's.. My friend's '78 H-33 was set up with no holding tank and head discharge hose directly overboard, about 3 inches above the waterline.

Ted, What brand/model is that you've pictured? I remember seeing these, but couldn't remember what they are..

 

[TightlyStrung]

Here are the photos of the looming job.











I have confirmed there are no other lines other than overboard.

I think this is going to stink. Bahahaha

 

[Calif. Ted]

I think it's a Sealand, but I recall seeing similar types with other brand names. It's about a 3 gallon tank I believe.

 

[kloudie1]

So ya have a toilet that drops stuff directly into a holding tank, just like a porta-pottie?? .. then the hand pump will pump whatever is in the tank overboard (once that tie wrap is cut off).. soooo.. you could treat the stuff in there with a bunch of bleech then fill the tank with a hose thru the bowl bottom opening.. Then pump overboard.. .. then refill with water a couple more times and pump overboard.. This may not be legal.. so don't do that if your area is very sensitive.. Another way that would be legal would be to unscrew the pump base .. Remove the hose from the thru-hull fitting and lift the pump so that the end of the hose on the inlet side of the pump (left hand side hose) is higher than the level in the tank.. carefully remove the hose from the pump.. nothing will come out if the end is above the level in the tank.. Then insert the dock side pump out suction into the hose and clear the tank.. rinse the tank with a hose and repeat.. STINKY JOB.. Make sure ya have enough hose slack before even starting.. Then you can pull the whole shooting match out and replace with what ya like.. That system can be made to be OK by putting a T in the hand pump suction line and running a hose from there to a deck pump out fitting .. That way you keep same toilet (don't know if that is good or not) and you can pump out at a regular pump station. The hand pump can remain if you re-tie wrap the handle.. Good Luck

 

[TightlyStrung]

Thanks for the advice guys.. I'll give it a try and let you know how it all comes out.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

She retired.

Yup...but I still answer emails from folks who ask me for help.