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black water disposal
rasbury
Member Posts: 8,238 ✭✭✭✭✭
Well, have been really wondering about the water systems on these types of boats...assume we have "black water" tank only and it's about the same capacity as the fresh water tank. I don't think Rinker took beer into account when they came up with the figures. Anyway, other than when its full, how often to you pump it out? I was reading an earlier post by Tiki on a filter he came up with...had not given all this stuff much thought! Pump it every time you go out and the can is used? clean out the tank? What the heck do I do with all this crap! I don't want to dump it...are all the 270's standard with necessary tanks/valves for pump out? Does the gray water also go to the same tank or just out the boat as I have read some boats do? What about the fresh water? How long do you leave it in there? Assume you don't really want to drink it but just for washing etc?
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PC BYC, Holland, MI
Ras, there are usually pump out stations at the local marina fuel docks. I do highly suggest either buying or making your own filter. Otherwise you will be pumping every time you use it. As far as when to pump, many opinions here, but for sure by 2/3rd full or so. If you trailer and take it home, well I do know people have concocted hoses from wet vacs to pull it and then dump into their septic.
As said, other "grey" water goes overboard. The more you use the boat, the more you will use the sink(s)/shower(s). & the more you use that water, the cleaner it will stay. I do empty my water tank at the end of every weekend. & yes, I do drink that water and my ice maker uses it too. (I've done this process on my 310 & 240 as well over the years)
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Like any good navigator planning a route for your trip, part of your weekend float plan needs to include/end with where to pump out and making a call ahead to confirm cost and that eqt is working. Only once did I run into 2 marinas in a row that had eqt failures on the same day which propmted me to try the wet vac idea after trailering home. My big vac was an absolute tempest of HORRID green fumes and sloshing hazardous waste. OMG NEVER again. :-& My vac actually died from the abuse shortly afterward, R.I.P. It was a hideous death.
Ahh the subtle joy of the unspoken chore.
The "filter" we keep mentioning is solely to filter the black water tank VENT fumes from gassing your guests every time waste is pumped INTO the tank displacing the air. Suffice to say that it ain't pretty w/o a simple carbon filter on the vent hose. DIY filters are easily found on the net and easily built ($20), or just search for one called a "big orange Filter" and shell out one boat unit ($100+)
Another filter might/should be on the fresh water supply tank. Also, regularly treating your fresh water supply is a necessity and volumes have been written on how to keep Montezuma's Revenge from afflicting your crew because you let crud grow in your fresh water. It's perfectly safe to use for just about anything if maintained correctly. Lots to learn I guess most of us take these things for granted. Good luck. Mike
Black water is usually for just the head. A pumpout really isn't a big deal and a problem free head is really convenient after a night of rum and Burritos.....hence the carbon vent filter.
PC BYC, Holland, MI
Ras, by the sound of it, this could be the first of many cruisers for you!
Once you can handle the Sh*t, you can handle anything! & when you start spending 10 nights at a time on it (we began that 2 times a year on a 24' with two small kids - actually in diapers), you will be making good use of that black tank.
Can't wait to hear about your good times, which you will have plenty!
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Pumped, flushed with fresh water, re-pumped, then treated with fresh tank treatment keeps ours nice enough to stick your nose right on the vent....... although that hasn't happened, but I keep asking my crew to check it and they refuse. Go figure.
Pump out usually happens twice a season
Go Steelers!!!
Wow! I could never imagine no #2. That would mean you aren't boating more than a couple hours at a time (or holding it often), especially with a family of 4. Only rule I have, if you didn't eat it, it doesn't go down. No exceptions! Yes, we use the nice soft TP. Love it, and it goes in the trash can in the head. When do we pump out, well, either when we are out of fuel (get free ones, if you can call it that, with my fuel bill), when we go past a free city one, or if it is 2/3rd full. With a 45 gal tank, it has been up to 2 months before. But as others mentioned, I have my homemade filter and no stinking...just drinking!
Oh, and just to add, this was our rule in previous smaller boats too (24' and 31'), but we pumped in the smaller one at the end of the weekend (was a porta pot).
Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express
Yeah..no #2 means you are in slip all the time and can can make the walk (run). lol If it didn't come out of you or off the marine TP roll, it does not go in. My slip mate had the handy chore of unclogging his system from tampons..
I pump out every ~2 weeks or so, always when refueling ('free' at my home port) or after long weekends.
PC BYC, Holland, MI
Go Steelers!!!
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I think my son intentionally does not poop a couple days before the boat just so he can clog it and laugh at dear old dad gagging while I operate on the head.. Its impressively disgusting what my 5 year old puts in that thing. I now have arm length gloves, goggles, and a skinny wire fish to get that thing back up and running quickly. In the same token I'm equally impressed what doesn't clog the vacuflush system I have.
We are at our boat a lot and #2 is inevitable. We have a 2 week trip coming up where we will be under anchor or on a mooring most of it. I don't think the fam, or surrounding boats, would like the hang it off the swim platform rule.
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