On Wed, 17 Aug 2005 10:01:14 GMT, ahoy wrote:


So, the tank empties out by siphoning after I'm done pumping it out?
Does the boat have to be moving? I end up with an empty tank and a
clean toilet ideally, correct? I've never used one.

No - you have to pump the stuff out - it does not siphon out
automagically - that would defeat the whole purpose.

The whole point of having the holding tank is to retain the material
on-board until it can be discharged in an acceptable location. In
most areas of the US, I understand that this means you take the boat
to a marina or other facility that has a pump-out station. The
pump-out station will suck the goop out of your tank, and deliver it
to the municipal sewage system.

Here in coastal British Columbia, we are permitted to discharge
overboard into the sea in most areas, but require holding tanks in
certain popular harbours and anchorages. My holding tank system has a
discharge pump to dump the stuff overboard - I do that while running
in open water. (pump-out stations are quite rare around here, as many
marinas don't have access to a municipal sewage system.)

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
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