Why a macerator?

[ereiss]

I am having a new holding tank put in my Freedom 38. The yard asked if I wanted to consider having a macerator installed at this time also. Since all of our current sailing is coastal and the Admiral shows no inclination to heading offshore I can't figure out a reason to have it and several not to 1) it cost $, 2) something else to break.

Any advice?

Thanks

Ed Reiss
Being There
Freedom 38 #154
out of Jamestown, RI

[JimsCAL]

I guess the easy answer is that it gives you another option to empty the tank when you are cruising. You only need to be outside the 3-mile limit for this to be legal.

[DwayneSpeer]

If you ever get caught with a full holding tank and no pump out within miles you will wish you had spent the money for the macerator.

[jorgenl]

Get it installed. You will eventually figure out why

[poopdeckpappy]

NO!! do not waste your money, You are a responsible sailboat owner who not only uses a pumpout service or station, but also monitors his tankage and plans his coastal trips accordingly, you would'nt think for a second of dumping ( along with 1000's of others ) in a relatively small area some 30-40 gals of raw sewage in our coastal waters.

[GilStump]

We just got a composting head. Looks like it will take a lot to break it. Kinda tall though.

[labatt]

Ditto the others - if you don't install it, you'll have no way of pumping out your holding tank other than using a pump-out facility. I remember, this past December, looking for a pumpout in Annapolis since we had a full holding tank. Every place was shut down due to the freeze. We'll just leave it at that.

[artbyjody]

Just get - DIY if you have to, trust me nothing more romantic than someone going down below, few pumps and ewwww and the **** hits the vent while sailing (within legal discharge zones). Having the option is priceless.

[jrd22]

I believe you can also use a manual diaphragm pump instead of the macerator, no electricity and very simple.

[sailingdog]

Even coastal cruising, you can still be out past the three-mile limit. As JRD said, you can use a diaphragm pump, like a Henderson/Whale Mk V instead... and save electricity and complexity. I have and use one.