I have a Catalina 30' (my first larger boat with a holding tank). Tomorrow I will be heading to the pump out station. It'll be my first time pumping out. Is it just a matter of putting the pump out hose into the opening of the waste and letting it suck it out? Is there more to it than this? Any help...suggestions would be greatly appreciated to ensure a "clean" and successful pump-out. gc
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Takes two to . . .
pumpout at my marina. I go up to the pump switch while my wife makes certain the hose is secure in the waste port. There is a clear plexiglass section in the hose so that she can see when to signal me to shut off. Then I go below and flush a gallon of fresh water through the bowl to clean the hoses. The wet/dry lever is on DRY during all of this. One more time with the pumpout and we are done. Try to assure a clear vent before you begin.
pumpout at my marina. I go up to the pump switch while my wife makes certain the hose is secure in the waste port. There is a clear plexiglass section in the hose so that she can see when to signal me to shut off. Then I go below and flush a gallon of fresh water through the bowl to clean the hoses. The wet/dry lever is on DRY during all of this. One more time with the pumpout and we are done. Try to assure a clear vent before you begin.
Don't know about yours but....
some of the Catalina's do not have a traditional vent. They vent the tank through the stanchion. Since you have not pumped this tank before, I'd suggest that you pump the tank and then re-FILL the tank with fresh water and then pump it again. You should try to make sure that the vent is clear if possible. They can get plugged up either from bugs (spiders and mud daubers etc) or from over filling the tank. When you have a clean tank then be sure to use some good high quality chemicals. If your vent is in a stanchion then KO will not work(not enough fresh air), so I'd use Odorloss for now.
some of the Catalina's do not have a traditional vent. They vent the tank through the stanchion. Since you have not pumped this tank before, I'd suggest that you pump the tank and then re-FILL the tank with fresh water and then pump it again. You should try to make sure that the vent is clear if possible. They can get plugged up either from bugs (spiders and mud daubers etc) or from over filling the tank. When you have a clean tank then be sure to use some good high quality chemicals. If your vent is in a stanchion then KO will not work(not enough fresh air), so I'd use Odorloss for now.
That's about all there is to it...but--
Before pumping out, make sure your vent thru-hull is free of any blockage. The pumpout hose should have a sight glass just before the connection that attaches to your boat....watch it to make sure that waste is being sucked out--there should be a good flow for several minutes. If there isn't, stop pumping out immediately...'cuz it means you vent is blocked and continuing to try to pumpout against a vacuum can crack your tank. It's also a good idea to pump water into the tank from the toilet while you're pumping out...that helps to stir up any sludge and at least nominally rinse the tank. And about every third or fourth time, pump out the waste, then fill the tank again with clean fresh water--put a hose (but NOT the hose used to fill your fresh water tank!) down the pumpout fitting. Because that sends water into the bottom of the tank it really stirs up any sludge. Let the water run till it overflows out the vent and finally runs clear. Then pump out the water and add your tank treatment. For more answers to questions about head and tank maintenance, check out the articles in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the right side of the forum homepage).
Before pumping out, make sure your vent thru-hull is free of any blockage. The pumpout hose should have a sight glass just before the connection that attaches to your boat....watch it to make sure that waste is being sucked out--there should be a good flow for several minutes. If there isn't, stop pumping out immediately...'cuz it means you vent is blocked and continuing to try to pumpout against a vacuum can crack your tank. It's also a good idea to pump water into the tank from the toilet while you're pumping out...that helps to stir up any sludge and at least nominally rinse the tank. And about every third or fourth time, pump out the waste, then fill the tank again with clean fresh water--put a hose (but NOT the hose used to fill your fresh water tank!) down the pumpout fitting. Because that sends water into the bottom of the tank it really stirs up any sludge. Let the water run till it overflows out the vent and finally runs clear. Then pump out the water and add your tank treatment. For more answers to questions about head and tank maintenance, check out the articles in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the right side of the forum homepage).
Good comments, but. . . .
how do you justify tying up the pumpout station for all of that time? While I am pumping out there is always someone awaiting their turn. There is only one space at the dock and it's tight getting in and out. Plus I would have to use my onboard water to fill the 30 gallon tank. If I could only train the First Mate to wait until we get back to the marina.
how do you justify tying up the pumpout station for all of that time? While I am pumping out there is always someone awaiting their turn. There is only one space at the dock and it's tight getting in and out. Plus I would have to use my onboard water to fill the 30 gallon tank. If I could only train the First Mate to wait until we get back to the marina.
Gosh, Ed...I dunno...
Pick a less popular time to pump out? Stick a hose in the toilet bowl (put a nozzle on it, so you can control the flow). Pump out...move to flush out the tank with water, then come back to pump the water out? Where there's a will, there's a way. After all, you DID manage to install a vented loop that was supposed to be impossible to do....surely you can figure this one out!))))))
Pick a less popular time to pump out? Stick a hose in the toilet bowl (put a nozzle on it, so you can control the flow). Pump out...move to flush out the tank with water, then come back to pump the water out? Where there's a will, there's a way. After all, you DID manage to install a vented loop that was supposed to be impossible to do....surely you can figure this one out!
))))))good advice from Steve
Steve Dions advice is accurate. There exists another problem though (if people are waiting). If you do the proceedure expediently OR at a time when the pump atation is not busy, there should be no problem....good luck
Steve Dions advice is accurate. There exists another problem though (if people are waiting). If you do the proceedure expediently OR at a time when the pump atation is not busy, there should be no problem....good luck
Check for a valve
Check to make sure that there's not a valve that needs to be opened. On my '81 C-30, there's a gate valve in the discharge line in the bottom of the port lazerette that needs to be opened before pumping. This may have been added by a former owner so you should follow your line all the way from the tank to the pump-out fitting to make sure.
Check to make sure that there's not a valve that needs to be opened. On my '81 C-30, there's a gate valve in the discharge line in the bottom of the port lazerette that needs to be opened before pumping. This may have been added by a former owner so you should follow your line all the way from the tank to the pump-out fitting to make sure.
And whatever you do, DON'T...
One time at Elliot Bay Marina in Seattle, I was waiting my turn for the pumpout (happily a safe distance away). A boating instructor was teaching a couple how to use their brand new, very large powerboat, and this was the time for the pumpout instructions. I don't know why she did it, but while the pump was operating, the woman of the couple eased off the pressure of the pumpout hose from the deck fitting, and lifted it slightly, breaking the tight fit. The suction continued, spraying the dock, the woman, her husband, and the instuctor with large amounts of the contents of the holding tank. One of the worst things I've ever seen happen to anyone. Always close the valve on the pumpout hose before breaking the connection with the deck fitting. Gary Wyngarden s/v Shibumi H335
One time at Elliot Bay Marina in Seattle, I was waiting my turn for the pumpout (happily a safe distance away). A boating instructor was teaching a couple how to use their brand new, very large powerboat, and this was the time for the pumpout instructions. I don't know why she did it, but while the pump was operating, the woman of the couple eased off the pressure of the pumpout hose from the deck fitting, and lifted it slightly, breaking the tight fit. The suction continued, spraying the dock, the woman, her husband, and the instuctor with large amounts of the contents of the holding tank. One of the worst things I've ever seen happen to anyone. Always close the valve on the pumpout hose before breaking the connection with the deck fitting. Gary Wyngarden s/v Shibumi H335
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