Small Sailboat wrote:
The problem, as I see it, is that putting in a deck pumpout fitting
means another hole in the boat. And holes in boats are VERY BAD.

A deck pumpout fitting is just what the name implies--a DECK fitting.
It's not a thru-hull...it's WAY above the waterline. It doesn't rely on
a seacock, it has a threaded cap with a rubber o-ring under it that
seals it.

The deck core is exposed, the fitting needs to be sealed...

With a proper bedding compound.


,, and who knows what down the line.

An occasional rebedding. Which is nothing compared to maintaining toilet
and tank.


And for what? So that a few gallons of poop can be pumped out? To
where?

To a sewage treatment plant that MAY treat it before it goes into the
water...unless the plant has a spill.

One boat had a very nice bucket. The Capt told me he uses the bucket
and throws the poop overboard.

Ok at sea beyond the "3 mile limit," but just as illegal as flushing a
toilet directly overboard or dumping a tank inside it.

Don't complain to me about it...I didn't write the laws, I'm just the
messenger who can only tell you what's legal and what's not.

Peggie


"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
m...
Sailboat wrote:
I have an old sailboat. The head doesn't have a holding tank.
It discharges overboard. I wonder, can I get a holding tank but
not drill through the deck for a pump out?
It depends on where you are. If you're in coastal water that
provide immediate access to open sea at least 3 miles from the
nearest point on the whole US coastline, you can get away with only
an overboard discharge for the tank. But if you're on inland waters
or a large bay that would make it impractical to get far enough
offshore to dump a tank legally, you'll have to have a pumpout
fitting.

The alternative would be some kind of setup that would allow the
pumpout to be connected directly to the tank or into it through a
cleanout port...but pumpout hoses dribble. I wouldn't think you
want to bring one into the boat.

Several others have suggested replacing your toilet with a
portapotty. If you won't use it much, that may be the best way to
go. However, if you have to carry it off the boat to empty it, you
don't want a tank bigger than 2-3 gallons...'cuz waste and water
weigh 8.333 lbs/gal, which would make a 5-6 gallon tank weigh about
50 lbs...a LOT to carry off the boat and haul up a dock.

Otoh, I don't know what the big deal is about putting in a deck
pumpout fitting. That's what 99% of all older boat owners have had
to do.

Tell me about holding tanks with old heads.
For starters, heads do have a finite lifespan....they wear out,
break...mfrs discontinue offering ANY parts for 'em. So depending
upon the make/model/age of yours, you're prob'ly better off
replacing it and starting ov4er with complete new system--toilet,
tank, plumbing etc.

As for connecting a tank to an old toilet, that's no different from
connecting a tank to new toilet. -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of
Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources
of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304