In article TOiSg.1207$8U2.964@trndny08, says...


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? The thought of drilling through my old
deck for a pump out that I will hardly ever use is crazy. But, I would put
a holding tank in to be legal.

Tell me about holding tanks with old heads.

You can buy for about $100 a five-gallon holding tank that fits around the
toilet. I think Raritan makes it. We had one on our old 1976 Dawson 26
completely plumbed for overbaord or pumpout. Small boat, very compact
solution. We now have one in the forward head on our 37 but we never got
around to connecting it and that head still pumps overboard. Looks like it's
connected but it's not. This tank can be plumbed like a port-a-potty so that
you can disconnect it and take it ashore to empty. I'll plumb it one of these
days. Our aft head has a Lectrosan on it. So we have, you might say, a number
one head and a number two head.

My current boat has the holding
tank in a deck locker so there are no through deck fittings...
================================================== ==================================

Let me see if I have this right ...

if one has the head, and the head doesn't have a holding tank ,,, there is a
way to put some type of holding tank in that can be emptied but not through
the deck.

Like a holding tank for a potto potty? This sounds easy,, it it?


00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000

wrote in message
oups.com...
... When far offshore, no sane person uses the toilet anyway so
it's a day sailing issue only.

That's a pretty ambitious statment. When the deck is being swept by
waves and it is dark, rainy and windy I think it is wise to use the
heads below rather than hanging my ass over the rail or trying to cart
a bucket of ofal to the lee side. Still, I spend a great deal of time
offshore in small boats so I suppose my sanity is open to question.

More to the point, I agree that the porta-potty is the easiest,
cheapest and likely best solution. I did the same thing to a CAL 36
that I owend years ago and it worked well for camping. If I were going
to live with the thing I think it might be worth checking to see if you
can go with a type III MSD. You'll have to check out the power, space
and legal problems before you even get to the cost... If you are up
for a bit of mad scientist action you might look into modifying a
composting tiolet to meet your needs. My current boat has the holding
tank in a deck locker so there are no through deck fittings...

-- Tom.

Paul Cassel wrote:
When far offshore, no sane person uses the toilet anyway so
it's a day sailing issue only.

Well.............. sorta.

On the west coast the rumor is most commercial fisherman who fell over
board and drowned typically had their zipper open. Lesson learned: when
unfurling your short arm don't yard it over the side. So what I do
when sailing solo is zip and hose down the cockpit. Typically there is
enough sea water or rain entering the cockpit for ample flushing
action.

However, for other personal discharge functions I prefer my PH II.

From what I have seen along the side of every interstate freeway the
truckers have an effective method.

Bath & Bed Bob

Gogarty wrote:
In article TOiSg.1207$8U2.964@trndny08, says...

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? The thought of drilling through my old
deck for a pump out that I will hardly ever use is crazy. But, I would put
a holding tank in to be legal.

Tell me about holding tanks with old heads.

You can buy for about $100 a five-gallon holding tank that fits around the
toilet. I think Raritan makes it. We had one on our old 1976 Dawson 26
completely plumbed for overbaord or pumpout. Small boat, very compact
solution. We now have one in the forward head on our 37 but we never got
around to connecting it and that head still pumps overboard. Looks like it's
connected but it's not. This tank can be plumbed like a port-a-potty so that
you can disconnect it and take it ashore to empty. I'll plumb it one of these
days. Our aft head has a Lectrosan on it. So we have, you might say, a number
one head and a number two head.


If you have room for a small holding
tank, say in a locker in the head or in
the v-berth area, you may be able to
drop the pumpout hose through a hatch or
light for the occasional pumpout. Not a
solution for daily pumpouts, obviously.
But there is no compelling reason the
pumpout fitting has to be on the deck.

Should be 100% legal, too.

Chuck

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Well, we had a Catalina 27 that had a holding tank but no deck fitting. We
brought the pumpout hose down below when we went to the pump out station. It
worked, but I wouldn't recommend it.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Small Sailboat" wrote in message
news:BVwSg.1510$0Y2.90@trndny09...
My current boat has the holding
tank in a deck locker so there are no through deck fittings...
================================================== ==================================

Let me see if I have this right ...

if one has the head, and the head doesn't have a holding tank ,,, there is
a way to put some type of holding tank in that can be emptied but not
through the deck.

Like a holding tank for a potto potty? This sounds easy,, it it?


00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000

wrote in message
oups.com...
... When far offshore, no sane person uses the toilet anyway so
it's a day sailing issue only.

That's a pretty ambitious statment. When the deck is being swept by
waves and it is dark, rainy and windy I think it is wise to use the
heads below rather than hanging my ass over the rail or trying to cart
a bucket of ofal to the lee side. Still, I spend a great deal of time
offshore in small boats so I suppose my sanity is open to question.

More to the point, I agree that the porta-potty is the easiest,
cheapest and likely best solution. I did the same thing to a CAL 36
that I owend years ago and it worked well for camping. If I were going
to live with the thing I think it might be worth checking to see if you
can go with a type III MSD. You'll have to check out the power, space
and legal problems before you even get to the cost... If you are up
for a bit of mad scientist action you might look into modifying a
composting tiolet to meet your needs. My current boat has the holding
tank in a deck locker so there are no through deck fittings...

-- Tom.

"Bob" wrote in message
ups.com...

Paul Cassel wrote:
When far offshore, no sane person uses the toilet anyway so
it's a day sailing issue only.

Well.............. sorta.

On the west coast the rumor is most commercial fisherman who fell over
board and drowned typically had their zipper open. Lesson learned: when
unfurling your short arm don't yard it over the side. So what I do
when sailing solo is zip and hose down the cockpit. Typically there is
enough sea water or rain entering the cockpit for ample flushing
action.

However, for other personal discharge functions I prefer my PH II.

From what I have seen along the side of every interstate freeway the
truckers have an effective method.

Bath & Bed Bob

Geez... remind me not to get on your boat until after it's been washed...
how about using one of those portable units instead.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Capt. JG wrote:
Well, we had a Catalina 27 that had a holding tank but no deck fitting. We
brought the pumpout hose down below when we went to the pump out station. It
worked, but I wouldn't recommend it.


Please elaborate, Cap'n. What problems
did it pose?

Chuck

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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

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.

The deck core is exposed, the fitting needs to be sealed ,, and who knows
what down the line.

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

One Whale Turd is more poop than I have ever pooped. Do Whales have a pump
out fitting? Yes,,, their asshole.

I was on/in a whole bunch of boats this past summer. They all had pumpout
fittings. But, the Capts all told me that they just pump overboard. The
tank is just to meet the legal deal.

One boat had a very nice bucket. The Capt told me he uses the bucket and
throws the poop overboard. His head was used as a storage area.

================


"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

wrote:
... When far offshore, no sane person uses the toilet anyway so
it's a day sailing issue only.

That's a pretty ambitious statment. When the deck is being swept by
waves and it is dark, rainy and windy I think it is wise to use the
heads below rather than hanging my ass over the rail or trying to cart
a bucket of ofal to the lee side. Still, I spend a great deal of time
offshore in small boats so I suppose my sanity is open to question.

More to the point, I agree that the porta-potty is the easiest,
cheapest and likely best solution. I did the same thing to a CAL 36
that I owend years ago and it worked well for camping. If I were going
to live with the thing I think it might be worth checking to see if you
can go with a type III MSD. You'll have to check out the power, space
and legal problems before you even get to the cost... If you are up
for a bit of mad scientist action you might look into modifying a
composting tiolet to meet your needs. My current boat has the holding
tank in a deck locker so there are no through deck fittings...

-- Tom.

Well, my reply was hyperbolic and I assumed all would take is as such.
Of course, if you are offshore and in heavy weather you'd use the
toilet, but in this case, the OP would have the PortaPottie along anyway.