Chaninging from Porta-Potti to pump out

cb32863 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010

I am wondering how difficult it is to make a boat with a porta-poti to have a pump out or even add a holding tank. Yes I realize the size of the boat and any extra space is a consideration. Again, I realize that, just looking for some information about the work. I just looked at a Hunter 25 online and it got me wondering. Are there kits you can ad to your porta-potti for a pump out?

Thanks in advance.

mitiempo · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010

I don't think there is a pump out kit for a porta-potti. It's not hard to install a conventional head with a holding tank and pumpout but with proper through hulls and hoses it can get expensive. here's a link to head options and installation. Installing a Head by Don Casey

cb32863 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010

Thanks for the info!

tommays · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010

We put the Sea-land 6 gallon porta-poti with the deck pump kit out on the 35'

Michael K · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010

There is at least one porta potti model that has the capability of being plumbed to a pump out and/or holding tank. It has a 1.5" hose connection built into it. In so doing I believe the head becomes a lot less portable though.

JimsCAL · #6 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010

Easiest would be to install a porta potti with pumpout capability like the Thetford 735. If you can find a spot for a holding tank, then a manual head can be installed. A lot more work, but probably worth it.

cruisingdream · #7 (**permalink**) 02-20-2010

depending where you sail a thru hull isn't necessary just a deck connection for pump out and tap the flush water from a sink drain .
don't put any more holes in your hull than you need.

knothead · #8 (**permalink**) 02-21-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimsCAL

Easiest would be to install a porta potti with pumpout capability like the Thetford 735. If you can find a spot for a holding tank, then a manual head can be installed. A lot more work, but probably worth it.

No easiest and cheapest would be installing a home made composting head.

c_witch · #9 (**permalink**) 8 Hours Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb32863

I am wondering how difficult it is to make a boat with a porta-poti to have a pump out or even add a holding tank. Yes I realize the size of the boat and any extra space is a consideration. Again, I realize that, just looking for some information about the work. I just looked at a Hunter 25 online and it got me wondering. Are there kits you can ad to your porta-potti for a pump out?

Thanks in advance.

We have a 22 foot cruiser. We installed a Dometic 764 MSD. It has been plumbed for both dock side pump out and seaside pump out. Originally it was only a dock side pump out. The holding capacity or these are small and we have the smallest so I wanted the seaside pump out option.

If you have a dockside pump out now then conversion is simple. Add a y diverter which will go to the dockside line and also feed to a macerator. From the macerator the line should run up to a vented loop and then to a seacock and thru hull. Pretty simple really.

c_witch

SlowButSteady · #10 (**permalink**) 7 Hours Ago

Installing a holding tank isn't all that hard. My boat came without a usable tank (the one it came with was only three gallons, with out a proper vent, and with sketchy fittings), so I installed a new one (13 gallons). The biggest hassle I found was finding a suitable location for the tank. I decided that I wanted the tank to stand upright. That allowed for the location of all the fittings on the top of the tank, thus minimizing the chance of a leaky fitting. But it also necessitated glassing/epoxying a firm base for the tank, and sacrificing most of a locker to the project.