JimH wrote:
"Duke" wrote in message
news:RXEhg.11340$9c7.6821@trnddc06...

"DSK" wrote in message
t...

Duke wrote:

Thanks. Being new to this arena, where would one find an approved
holding tank ? Is this something that would only be available at a
marina ? Would it be possible to just dump it into your homes waste
system. I have a clean out trap at home with a 4inch pipe as the
opening. Seems like I could just unsrew and dump into there. Or would
that make no sense ?


We used a porta-potty for years on a small cruising boat and poured it
out into the toilet at home; we're hooked up to city sewer and it's no
problem.

Don't dump it into a system that flushes into a septic tank, though.
Unless you add a bacterial treatment to the porta-potty tank, rather than
sterilizing chemical mixed with perfume (which is what most people do
because it's cheaper), the stuff in your porta-potty will kill your
septic system DOA.

Jim is right about using marine or camping toilet paper. It will break
down much better. And make sure that it doesn't get caught in the flush
valve, since that ruins the seal.

Many people complain that the porta-potty always stinks, but this is
because of a problem with the way they are using it. Ours (a Thetford
135) was a well made little unit and even after a couple of days use,
gave off no odor at all.

Hope this helps
Doug King


Thank you both for the comments. I am hoping to buy a boat either at the
end of this year or beginning of next. One of my wife's requirements is
that there be a bathroom on board.



Duke



They are easy to maintain and clean.

My wife insisted on one when we bought our 21 foot runabout. I would have
bought one anyway. It is mainly used for #1, but for #2 in the event of an
emergency.

I cannot imagine having a boat without a head accommodation, even a modest
one like a porta potty when taking your wife or daughter out on the boat.

Some guys in this NG recently posted that they are silly and unsanitary.
They make the women on their boat "hold it" when the urge comes while they
travel 1/2 hour back to the dock for a bathroom.

Some really thoughtful guys here. ;-)

You are doing the right thing Duke.



Here's a picture of my 'VISA' MSD.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/Hpim0171.jpg

wrote:
Duke wrote:

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
...

"Duke" wrote in message
news:8uEhg.5868$td6.4388@trnddc02...

Hi all,

How do the heads work on smaller boats such as the Maxum 2100SC and other
similar craft ? Do they flush overboard or must you remove the head and
dispose of the waste manually ?

Thanks,

Duke


It will not flush overboard. Depending on the type of head (fixed or
portable) it will either flush into a holding tank that must occasionally
be pumped out or flush into a small holding tank at the bottom of the
(portable) unit that has to be pumped out or manually dumped into an
approved holding tank.


Hi Jim,

Thanks. Being new to this arena, where would one find an approved holding
tank ? Is this something that would only be available at a marina ? Would
it be possible to just dump it into your homes waste system. I have a clean
out trap at home with a 4inch pipe as the opening. Seems like I could just
unsrew and dump into there. Or would that make no sense ?

Thanks again,

Duke


Small boats seem to stop for fuel every couple of days- just enough
time for the porta-pottie to become full or the small holding tank
typically found on most small boats to reach capacity. Pump or dump at
the fuel dock. No reason to haul a bucket of sh** all the way home in
your car.

Depending upon where you boat, you may indeed be able to pump
overboard. The crux of the regulation is that you shall not dump
*untreated* sewage into the water in any inland waters or les than
three miles offshore. It's perfectly legal to dump sewage that has been
treated to standards of fecal coliform count and doesn't contain
"floating solids" less than three miles from shore and in inland
waters, but the smaller boats typically do not have the
appropriate systems that will treat the sewage to meet the standards.
(When you pump out,
the contents of your holding tank get treated, and then dumped right
back into the same waters you've been boating in- same as with onboard
treatment).

If you boat in waters where the legality of discharge varies, you will
need a "Y" valve to divert waste to your holding tank when you are in a
no-discharge area. If you are boarded by the Coast Guard, they will
want to see this Y valve secured in the "holding tank" position (a zip
tie is OK) if you are less than three miles from shore or in inland
waters.

With the continuing increase in "no discharge" zones, (places where
local regulations are stricter than federal regulations and it is
illegal to discharge even properly treated waste), I would probably not
bother with rigging for overboard discharge on a small boat.

Where are you allowed to dump sewage, sterilized and ground up, in
inland waters? I am pretty sure that Minnesota is not one of those
places. It certainly wouldn't do the lake or river much good.

--
Del Cecchi
"This post is my own and doesn’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions,
strategies or opinions.”

"Del Cecchi" wrote in message
...
wrote:
Duke wrote:

" JimH" jimhUNDERSCOREosudad@yahooDOTcom wrote in message
...

"Duke" wrote in message
news:8uEhg.5868$td6.4388@trnddc02...

Hi all,

How do the heads work on smaller boats such as the Maxum 2100SC and
other
similar craft ? Do they flush overboard or must you remove the head
and
dispose of the waste manually ?

Thanks,

Duke


It will not flush overboard. Depending on the type of head (fixed or
portable) it will either flush into a holding tank that must
occasionally
be pumped out or flush into a small holding tank at the bottom of the
(portable) unit that has to be pumped out or manually dumped into an
approved holding tank.


Hi Jim,

Thanks. Being new to this arena, where would one find an approved
holding
tank ? Is this something that would only be available at a marina ?
Would
it be possible to just dump it into your homes waste system. I have a
clean
out trap at home with a 4inch pipe as the opening. Seems like I could
just
unsrew and dump into there. Or would that make no sense ?

Thanks again,

Duke


Small boats seem to stop for fuel every couple of days- just enough
time for the porta-pottie to become full or the small holding tank
typically found on most small boats to reach capacity. Pump or dump at
the fuel dock. No reason to haul a bucket of sh** all the way home in
your car.

Depending upon where you boat, you may indeed be able to pump
overboard. The crux of the regulation is that you shall not dump
*untreated* sewage into the water in any inland waters or les than
three miles offshore. It's perfectly legal to dump sewage that has been
treated to standards of fecal coliform count and doesn't contain
"floating solids" less than three miles from shore and in inland
waters, but the smaller boats typically do not have the
appropriate systems that will treat the sewage to meet the standards.
(When you pump out,
the contents of your holding tank get treated, and then dumped right
back into the same waters you've been boating in- same as with onboard
treatment).

If you boat in waters where the legality of discharge varies, you will
need a "Y" valve to divert waste to your holding tank when you are in a
no-discharge area. If you are boarded by the Coast Guard, they will
want to see this Y valve secured in the "holding tank" position (a zip
tie is OK) if you are less than three miles from shore or in inland
waters.

With the continuing increase in "no discharge" zones, (places where
local regulations are stricter than federal regulations and it is
illegal to discharge even properly treated waste), I would probably not
bother with rigging for overboard discharge on a small boat.

Where are you allowed to dump sewage, sterilized and ground up, in inland
waters? I am pretty sure that Minnesota is not one of those places. It
certainly wouldn't do the lake or river much good.

--
Del Cecchi
"This post is my own and doesn’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions,
strategies or opinions.”


You can't.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/R...ect/info4c.htm

DSK wrote:

Duke wrote:

Thanks. Being new to this arena, where would one find an approved
holding tank ? Is this something that would only be available at a
marina ? Would it be possible to just dump it into your homes waste
system. I have a clean out trap at home with a 4inch pipe as the
opening. Seems like I could just unsrew and dump into there. Or
would that make no sense ?


We used a porta-potty for years on a small cruising boat and poured it
out into the toilet at home; we're hooked up to city sewer and it's no
problem.

Don't dump it into a system that flushes into a septic tank, though.
Unless you add a bacterial treatment to the porta-potty tank, rather
than sterilizing chemical mixed with perfume (which is what most people
do because it's cheaper), the stuff in your porta-potty will kill your
septic system DOA.

Thanks for mentioning that, Doug. It never
would've occurred to me.

DT

"dt" wrote in message
...
DSK wrote:

Duke wrote:

Thanks. Being new to this arena, where would one find an approved
holding tank ? Is this something that would only be available at a
marina ? Would it be possible to just dump it into your homes waste
system. I have a clean out trap at home with a 4inch pipe as the
opening. Seems like I could just unsrew and dump into there. Or would
that make no sense ?


We used a porta-potty for years on a small cruising boat and poured it
out into the toilet at home; we're hooked up to city sewer and it's no
problem.

Don't dump it into a system that flushes into a septic tank, though.
Unless you add a bacterial treatment to the porta-potty tank, rather than
sterilizing chemical mixed with perfume (which is what most people do
because it's cheaper), the stuff in your porta-potty will kill your
septic system DOA.

Thanks for mentioning that, Doug. It never would've occurred to me.

DT

After reading some of Peggie Hall's (the "Head Mistress") posts and her
articles a few years ago I switched from the chemical (formaldehyde) type
holding tank treatments to Raritan's bio type "K.O." and will never go back
to the smelly blue stuff. Used correctly, it keeps the tank odorless and
naturally breaks down solids and paper. I started using it in the RV as
well with great results.

RCE

"Don White" wrote in message
...
JimH wrote:
"Duke" wrote in message
news:RXEhg.11340$9c7.6821@trnddc06...

"DSK" wrote in message
et...

Duke wrote:

Thanks. Being new to this arena, where would one find an approved
holding tank ? Is this something that would only be available at a
marina ? Would it be possible to just dump it into your homes waste
system. I have a clean out trap at home with a 4inch pipe as the
opening. Seems like I could just unsrew and dump into there. Or would
that make no sense ?


We used a porta-potty for years on a small cruising boat and poured it
out into the toilet at home; we're hooked up to city sewer and it's no
problem.

Don't dump it into a system that flushes into a septic tank, though.
Unless you add a bacterial treatment to the porta-potty tank, rather
than sterilizing chemical mixed with perfume (which is what most people
do because it's cheaper), the stuff in your porta-potty will kill your
septic system DOA.

Jim is right about using marine or camping toilet paper. It will break
down much better. And make sure that it doesn't get caught in the flush
valve, since that ruins the seal.

Many people complain that the porta-potty always stinks, but this is
because of a problem with the way they are using it. Ours (a Thetford
135) was a well made little unit and even after a couple of days use,
gave off no odor at all.

Hope this helps
Doug King


Thank you both for the comments. I am hoping to buy a boat either at the
end of this year or beginning of next. One of my wife's requirements is
that there be a bathroom on board.



Duke



They are easy to maintain and clean.

My wife insisted on one when we bought our 21 foot runabout. I would
have bought one anyway. It is mainly used for #1, but for #2 in the
event of an emergency.

I cannot imagine having a boat without a head accommodation, even a
modest one like a porta potty when taking your wife or daughter out on
the boat.

Some guys in this NG recently posted that they are silly and unsanitary.
They make the women on their boat "hold it" when the urge comes while
they travel 1/2 hour back to the dock for a bathroom.

Some really thoughtful guys here. ;-)

You are doing the right thing Duke.



Here's a picture of my 'VISA' MSD.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/Hpim0171.jpg


Same set up as on our boat. It is there if anyone needs it, especially the
ladies. The cuddy door closes for perfect privacy. ;-)

Del Cecchi wrote:


Where are you allowed to dump sewage, sterilized and ground up, in
inland waters? I am pretty sure that Minnesota is not one of those
places. It certainly wouldn't do the lake or river much good.

--
Del Cecchi
"This post is my own and doesn't necessarily represent IBM's positions,
strategies or opinions."

Go thou and read the regulations. You may not dump *untreated* sewage
in inland waters, or less than 3 miles offshore. You may not dump even
treated sewage in a "no-discharge" zone, but absent a local
no-discharge law law federal regulations allow you to dump *properly
treated* sewage anywhere.

Read the law he

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/h...2----000-.html


Nothing prevents Minnesota from declaring any or all of its waters a
no-discharge zone. Unless Minnesota has done so or elects to do so, it
is legal to discharge sewage treated to specific standards of fecal
coliform content, etc, into the waters of that state.

JimH wrote:


You can't.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/R...ect/info4c.htm


Jim, you just posted a link to a site that *contradicts* your point!

Direct quote from your link:

Type One MSDs are treatment systems that reduce bacteria and discharge
no visible floating solids.

(Not legal in some state boating areas as well. Check local laws before
installing. Type One MSD systems, such as a head coupled with a
Lectra-San, are legal on vessels less than 65 feet that boat in an area
not declared a Federal No-Discharge Zone.


The fact is that *properly treated* waste can be discharged in any
waters not designated a no-discharge zone.

You are correct regarding untreated waste. It cannot be discharged in
inland waters or less than three miles offshore.

wrote in message
ups.com...

JimH wrote:


You can't.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/R...ect/info4c.htm


Jim, you just posted a link to a site that *contradicts* your point!

Direct quote from your link:

Type One MSDs are treatment systems that reduce bacteria and discharge
no visible floating solids.

(Not legal in some state boating areas as well. Check local laws before
installing. Type One MSD systems, such as a head coupled with a
Lectra-San, are legal on vessels less than 65 feet that boat in an area
not declared a Federal No-Discharge Zone.


The fact is that *properly treated* waste can be discharged in any
waters not designated a no-discharge zone.

You are correct regarding untreated waste. It cannot be discharged in
inland waters or less than three miles offshore.


Sorry if I misinterpreted it. I read the table under Sewage System Options
to say that it was illegal for Type I or II to discharge even treated waste
in inland lakes.

Perhaps I need a lesson from Peggy on the fine art and operation of Type I
and II systems. I have always had either Type III or portable systems.

I have never discharged my waste water tank in the past regardless of how
many miles off shore I was.

Regardless, I would not think it would ever be advisable to dump treated or
untreated waste into the water systems in inland lakes.

JimH wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...

JimH wrote:


You can't.

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/R...ect/info4c.htm


Jim, you just posted a link to a site that *contradicts* your point!

Direct quote from your link:

Type One MSDs are treatment systems that reduce bacteria and discharge
no visible floating solids.

(Not legal in some state boating areas as well. Check local laws before
installing. Type One MSD systems, such as a head coupled with a
Lectra-San, are legal on vessels less than 65 feet that boat in an area
not declared a Federal No-Discharge Zone.


The fact is that *properly treated* waste can be discharged in any
waters not designated a no-discharge zone.

You are correct regarding untreated waste. It cannot be discharged in
inland waters or less than three miles offshore.


Sorry if I misinterpreted it. I read the table under Sewage System Options
to say that it was illegal for Type I or II to discharge even treated waste
in inland lakes.

Perhaps I need a lesson from Peggy on the fine art and operation of Type I
and II systems. I have always had either Type III or portable systems.

I have never discharged my waste water tank in the past regardless of how
many miles off shore I was.

Regardless, I would not think it would ever be advisable to dump treated or
untreated waste into the water systems in inland lakes.


Part of that depends, I think, on the inland lake in question. If
you're going to create a brown haze with even a legal discharge in a
1-acre duck pond, I'd personally recommend not. Same with dockside in a
marina, regardless of the body of water in question. But Lake Superior?
Maybe a different matter.

Riddle me this, (since you live back there in lake country). When the
local sewage utility collects and treats flush water from houses (and
boats) in your community, what does it do with the liquid volume
following treatment? If you don't know, you might want to look into it.
I'd personally be very surprised if your sewage treatment plant doesn't
drain right back into the same body of water upon which a lot of people
boat. (Sometimes back into a stream of water from which people
downstream actually drink!) The only difference between waste that is
properly treated on board to meet the federal standards and then dumped
back into the waterway and waste that is pumped out, directed to the
municipal sewage plant, treated to meet the federal standards and then
dumped back into the waterway is where it's treated- not whether.