Thanks for all the replys.
All the boats I am looking at come standard with the porta pottie in the
cuddie. The thing I'm contemplating is to get the pump out option or not.
Its me, my wife and 3 kids total.
I'd expect outings to be several hours at a time, not necessarily all day.
I'd expect that If I do an all day trip, there would be some stops along the
way to some dock side restaurants or something.

One question, is do all marinas have a place to pump out?
Where are they usually located? near the fuel point?
I don't mind spending money for convenience, after all boating is not a low
$$$ hobbie now is it?
If they charge for it, how much is it?

David


"David Ditch" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
I am looking at various 23' cuddies.
I have a family of 5 including 3 kids ages 5,3,and 1
I have the option of a pump out or no pump out head.
What is invoved in pumping out? Where?
If not pumped out, what is involved in dumping the wast in the little
tank?
I live in the Baltimore/Annapolis are of the Chesapeake.

David

My marina charges CAN $20 for transient pumpouts.

I don't have a lot of experience but I've always seen the pumpout at or near
the gas dock.

"David Ditch" wrote in message
...
Thanks for all the replys.
All the boats I am looking at come standard with the porta pottie in the
cuddie. The thing I'm contemplating is to get the pump out option or not.
Its me, my wife and 3 kids total.
I'd expect outings to be several hours at a time, not necessarily all day.
I'd expect that If I do an all day trip, there would be some stops along
the
way to some dock side restaurants or something.

One question, is do all marinas have a place to pump out?
Where are they usually located? near the fuel point?
I don't mind spending money for convenience, after all boating is not a
low
$$$ hobbie now is it?
If they charge for it, how much is it?

David


"David Ditch" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
I am looking at various 23' cuddies.
I have a family of 5 including 3 kids ages 5,3,and 1
I have the option of a pump out or no pump out head.
What is invoved in pumping out? Where?
If not pumped out, what is involved in dumping the wast in the little
tank?
I live in the Baltimore/Annapolis are of the Chesapeake.

David

Paul wrote:

My marina charges CAN $20 for transient pumpouts.

I don't have a lot of experience but I've always seen the pumpout at or near
the gas dock.


In Friday Harbor, WA, the pump out was (is?) located right next to the
floating seafood shop, smack in the middle of the marina. Appetizing!

IIRC, it was something like a buck or two in quarters to pump out.

--
~/Garth

David Ditch wrote:
Thanks for all the replys.
All the boats I am looking at come standard with the porta pottie in the
cuddie. The thing I'm contemplating is to get the pump out option or not.
Its me, my wife and 3 kids total.

That's all? )

I'd expect outings to be several hours at a time, not necessarily all day.
I'd expect that If I do an all day trip, there would be some stops along the
way to some dock side restaurants or something.

I think you'd better spend some time browsing the guides to the
Bay...'cuz once you get out of Annapolis Harbor, it's quite a distance
to the next stop. And the going won't be much fun in a boat that small
if there's any chop...which there often is on the Bay.

One question, is do all marinas have a place to pump out?

Most do, but not all. And they're not always open at the ones that do.


Where are they usually located? near the fuel point?

Some are, some aren't.

I don't mind spending money for convenience, after all boating is not a low
$$$ hobbie now is it?
If they charge for it, how much is it?

I think we covered that already. Some are free, most charge only $5...a
few are higher.

If I were you, I'd be looking for 25-27' cruiser. If you rent a 22-23'
cuddy for a day, I think you'll understand why.

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/detai...=400&group=327

http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

From your description, I'd say you're really using the head for emergencies,
probably not most of the time you're out. In that case, pretty much any
porta-potti ought to do fine. My advice would be to either skip the
"cuddy-cabin" and either go to a real cruiser, or an open boat. The cuddy
is likely to become an overgrown glovebox.

To answer your questions, I think most marinas have a pumpout, but not all.
There's not a standard place where they're located, and it's not generally
expensive. I think in my area (southern Maryland) it's about $5 at private
marinas, and free at the state pumpout. What's involved is the pumpout is a
glorified wet-vac that hooks up to a port on the outside of a
pumpout-equipped boat, and sucks the waste out.

Good luck.

"David Ditch" wrote in message
...
Thanks for all the replys.
All the boats I am looking at come standard with the porta pottie in the
cuddie. The thing I'm contemplating is to get the pump out option or not.
Its me, my wife and 3 kids total.
I'd expect outings to be several hours at a time, not necessarily all day.
I'd expect that If I do an all day trip, there would be some stops along
the
way to some dock side restaurants or something.

One question, is do all marinas have a place to pump out?
Where are they usually located? near the fuel point?
I don't mind spending money for convenience, after all boating is not a
low
$$$ hobbie now is it?
If they charge for it, how much is it?

David


"David Ditch" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
I am looking at various 23' cuddies.
I have a family of 5 including 3 kids ages 5,3,and 1
I have the option of a pump out or no pump out head.
What is invoved in pumping out? Where?
If not pumped out, what is involved in dumping the wast in the little
tank?
I live in the Baltimore/Annapolis are of the Chesapeake.

David

Thats correct, I'd expect the porta pottie would be used for emergencies.
I'd like to be doing water sports so I don't want a cruiser.

David

"DaveH" wrote in message
...
From your description, I'd say you're really using the head for
emergencies,
probably not most of the time you're out. In that case, pretty much any
porta-potti ought to do fine. My advice would be to either skip the
"cuddy-cabin" and either go to a real cruiser, or an open boat. The cuddy
is likely to become an overgrown glovebox.

To answer your questions, I think most marinas have a pumpout, but not
all.
There's not a standard place where they're located, and it's not generally
expensive. I think in my area (southern Maryland) it's about $5 at
private
marinas, and free at the state pumpout. What's involved is the pumpout is
a
glorified wet-vac that hooks up to a port on the outside of a
pumpout-equipped boat, and sucks the waste out.

Good luck.

"David Ditch" wrote in message
...
Thanks for all the replys.
All the boats I am looking at come standard with the porta pottie in the
cuddie. The thing I'm contemplating is to get the pump out option or
not.
Its me, my wife and 3 kids total.
I'd expect outings to be several hours at a time, not necessarily all
day.
I'd expect that If I do an all day trip, there would be some stops along
the
way to some dock side restaurants or something.

One question, is do all marinas have a place to pump out?
Where are they usually located? near the fuel point?
I don't mind spending money for convenience, after all boating is not a
low
$$$ hobbie now is it?
If they charge for it, how much is it?

David


"David Ditch" wrote in message
...
Hi all,
I am looking at various 23' cuddies.
I have a family of 5 including 3 kids ages 5,3,and 1
I have the option of a pump out or no pump out head.
What is invoved in pumping out? Where?
If not pumped out, what is involved in dumping the wast in the little
tank?
I live in the Baltimore/Annapolis are of the Chesapeake.

David

David Ditch wrote:
I'd like to be doing water sports so I don't want a cruiser.

With 3 small children aboard??? Mom will be driving the boat...you'll be
in the water...who'll be watching them? It's too hot in the summer to
just stuff 'em all into the cuddy, especially wearing life jackets.

The water is a very dangerous place for small children unless at least
one parent has a close eye on 'em every second...'cuz toddlers are the
only creatures on earth that can move faster than the speed of
light--one second they're where you put 'em, the next they're out of
sight. Have you really thought this through? More and more, I'm
convinced you ought to rent a boat for a day to see what it's like
before buying anything. And take a CG Aux or US Power Squadron boating
safety course before you take your brood out on the Bay!

Just my $.02 worth...and btw...A small cruiser (24-26') is just as
capable of pulling a skier or a tube as a cuddy.

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://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

MD requires a spotter over 12, so I'll only be in the water skiing if my
friends are with me.
Thanks for the advice.

David

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
...
David Ditch wrote:
I'd like to be doing water sports so I don't want a cruiser.

With 3 small children aboard??? Mom will be driving the boat...you'll be
in the water...who'll be watching them? It's too hot in the summer to
just stuff 'em all into the cuddy, especially wearing life jackets.

The water is a very dangerous place for small children unless at least
one parent has a close eye on 'em every second...'cuz toddlers are the
only creatures on earth that can move faster than the speed of
light--one second they're where you put 'em, the next they're out of
sight. Have you really thought this through? More and more, I'm
convinced you ought to rent a boat for a day to see what it's like
before buying anything. And take a CG Aux or US Power Squadron boating
safety course before you take your brood out on the Bay!

Just my $.02 worth...and btw...A small cruiser (24-26') is just as
capable of pulling a skier or a tube as a cuddy.

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://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html

On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 19:43:52 +0000, David Ditch wrote:

Thanks for all the replys.
All the boats I am looking at come standard with the porta pottie in the
cuddie. The thing I'm contemplating is to get the pump out option or not.
Its me, my wife and 3 kids total.
I'd expect outings to be several hours at a time, not necessarily all day.
I'd expect that If I do an all day trip, there would be some stops along the
way to some dock side restaurants or something.


I'm confused about all the replies that say a 23ft cuddy is too small for
this application. Hell, I see families of 5 or more out for the afternoon
in 18-ft runabouts all the time. I also think a small cuddy for pottie and
changing into/out of swimsuits would be handy.

As long as you're not doing overnights, a 20-23 ft cuddy would be fine. A
bigger boat means: More initial cost, more moorage costs (even the temp
ones at restaurants, etc), more operating costs (read: FUEL! See the
thread on "Energy Independance"), and if you're towing it, bigger tow
vehicle (again, read more fuel consumption!) and so on.

Same for the portable vs pumpout: The portable is simpler and cheaper.
WHEN the head starts to smell, if it's a portapottie you can just chuck
it, but a built-in has hoses going in inaccessable places, thru-hulls...

I say, keep it simple!

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12
Previously:
"Valkyrie" Campion 18
"Starsend" Cal 25
"Determination" Venture 22

Lloyd Sumpter wrote:
On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 19:43:52 +0000, David Ditch wrote:


Thanks for all the replys.
All the boats I am looking at come standard with the porta pottie in the
cuddie. The thing I'm contemplating is to get the pump out option or not.
Its me, my wife and 3 kids total.
I'd expect outings to be several hours at a time, not necessarily all day.
I'd expect that If I do an all day trip, there would be some stops along the
way to some dock side restaurants or something.



I'm confused about all the replies that say a 23ft cuddy is too small for
this application. Hell, I see families of 5 or more out for the afternoon
in 18-ft runabouts all the time. I also think a small cuddy for pottie and
changing into/out of swimsuits would be handy.

As long as you're not doing overnights, a 20-23 ft cuddy would be fine. A
bigger boat means: More initial cost, more moorage costs (even the temp
ones at restaurants, etc), more operating costs (read: FUEL! See the
thread on "Energy Independance"), and if you're towing it, bigger tow
vehicle (again, read more fuel consumption!) and so on.

Same for the portable vs pumpout: The portable is simpler and cheaper.
WHEN the head starts to smell, if it's a portapottie you can just chuck
it, but a built-in has hoses going in inaccessable places, thru-hulls...

I say, keep it simple!

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36
"The Tin Boat" Mirrocraft 12
Previously:
"Valkyrie" Campion 18
"Starsend" Cal 25
"Determination" Venture 22


It works for my family of four on day trips. (since 1996) The 21ft
Crownline we have has a small v8 (305) which is does the job, And for
day trips is perfect as noted above w/porta pottie.

I think It just depends on his application. If he is looking at doing
more than day tripping he might want somthing else. But I like the fuel
consumption of the 305 as compaired to larger engines. I don't want to
maintain a enclosed head system etc.

From his discription I know my choice. He will have to make up his own.
But I am with you on this one Lloyd

Capt Jack R..