Pump Out Problem

[Michael Clark]

I have an 83 Hunter 31 and I've encountered a problem towards the latter part of the Summer when it came to waste pump out. The pump out station at the marina next to mine (which is where I pump out) no longer has a suitable (adaptor fitting) to enable me to pump out my holding tank. They use to have a cone-like fitting made of plyable rubber that would screw onto the pump hose and then would be inserted into the neck of the hose (about 2 or 3 inches) on my boat. This would create a tight enough seal to allow for extraction of the waste in the tank. The marina no longer has that fitting & any of their other fittings only seem to be made for "newer" boats where the fitting can screw down onto the cap of the boat. So, because of this I haven't been able to pump out my holding tank since. Luckily, there is very little waste in my holding tank. Wondering if anyone else out there with an early 80's era Hunter has run into the same problem trying to pump out. And what was your solution? Is there a special fitting I can find at West Marine or buy directly from Hunter Marine?

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Describe your deck pumpout fitting for me...

Does it have a threaded cap? Do you even have a deck pumpout fitting? 'Cuz your description of the rubber adapter that could be inserted 2-3" into the hose doesn't sound like your boat has one.However, to answer your question...yes, you can buy a neoprene "universal" pumpout fitting of the type your marina previously used. SeaLand makes 'em...West Marine carries 'em. You can also buy threaded adapters. Measure the diameter of the threaded pumpout fitting...it will be either 1.5" or most likely 1.25". The threads will be either 11 or 16 per inch. If your marina's fitting won't fit, I'm guessing 16, which was common through the early '80s...today, most are 11. If the WM catalog doesn't show one that will fit, you can buy direct from SeaLand...give 'em a call at 800-321-9886. It may be necessary to buy a coupler as well. If your boat doesn't have a proper deck pumpout fitting, the best solution would be to install one.

 

[Don]

my former '84 31'...

had the pumpout on the starboard aft quarter. It is a threaded deck plate with a screw in cap. Like Peggy, I don't follow your description of your current/previous setup, but I think the idea was a fitting on the pumpout hose that had a rubber cone that fit into your deck plate. I think what you will need is your own screw in adapter (my description) say 2" tall, that allows you to clamp the hose directly onto it. It will esstentially replace the rubber cone fitting and you previously used. You screw it in, then clamp the hose onto it. It works great in that it locks on and you don't have to hold it in place. If you travel much, you really otta have one of these fittings as that's the way some marinas operate.First time I encountered this setup I was stumped for a few minutes. (Maybe it had been a long day.) But it really works nice, almost better than the rubber cone type.

 

[Michael Clark]

Peggie,Yes, the cap is threaded. But,the marina pump out station doesn't have an adaptor that is of the same size/diameter of my boat's cap... plus the cap is connected by a chain and secured inside of the neck of the hose..which of course I can remove. It seems my problem is that the marinas don't have an adaptor (with the thread size) of my deck cap. Maybe my best solution is to buy a neoprene universal fitting as you suggested.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Remove the chain

Pumpout deck fittings should not have a chain...It prevents the pumpout hose connection from sealing tightly...and without a tight seal, suction is poor, making it difficult--if not impossible--to pumpout the tank...the pumpout is never able to prime. In fact,the chain may be the reason why the marina's threaded fitting won't work on your boat.If it were my boat, I'd go with a threaded adapter. The neoprene adapter must be manually held to keep it in the fitting...a threaded adapter, once connected, is hands-free.

 

[Ron Mills]

Look at WM catalog "Plumbing"

They sell an adapter for most of the deck fittings that work great. I purchased one for mine, now I have an excellent air tight connection, and the vacuum works like it has never worked before. They are about $15.00 and well worth it. They screw into your deck fitting so that regardless of the marina pump out hose there is a good connection(Disclaimer:in most situations).