tired pumpouts?

[deniseO30]

Over the past few years I've had the de"stink" pleasure of having the holding tank pumped out at various places from here (Bristol PA) to Annapolis even. most were tired sounding pumps sounding like "kersploook....kersploook...kersploook.....pause... sigh.... gurgle".... I've just assumed that's the way they work.. slow and slower, tired sounding even. Today I went to one that amazed me. SQOOOSH! the tank was empty in a new york minute! The air was actually rushing through the head. I've never used a pump out that did that so well before. eh.. ok little things impress me Ten bucks.. not cheap but it's not like there are allot of pump out facilities on the tidal Delaware. Location is D&S on tullytown cove tullytown pa. warning! go in at high tide! keep to the right going in.. left going out. Call in advance until season opens may 15th.
fair winds all

[JohnRPollard]

Yep, that's how they're supposed to work.

In my experience, the cheap/free ones tend to work the poorest if at all. Not always, but often.

Over in St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore, there are some "subsidized" pump-outs that frequently are inoperable. But the $15 pump out at the private marina (the one that caters to "upscale" boats) always works flawlessly. I like to kid the dock attendants about their price by complaining: "But the other broken pump-outs are free!"

An empty holding tank: Priceless.

[rayncyn51]

We had our first experience with a maritime pooper-scooper a few weeks ago. Definately "kersploook...kersploook.....pause... sigh.... gurgle". I can see where this is going to be one of the finer aspects of the crusing life.

[scottyt]

the one at BMC by the inner harbor is pretty good, unless your tank has more solid then liquid, i have had to put a few gallons of water to get the last of it, but i only have to pump every month or 2, as i use fresh water from jugs to flush.

yes using 2 liters filled with water to flush is more of a pain but what i do is bring 5 2 liters to the boat frozen for the ice box then use the last weeks thawed ones to flush, so no carrying 10 liters of water home. just pour enough water in the toilet before use

[sailingdog]

Yup... that's how they area supposed to work....

Of course, having the ability to pumpout your own holding tank is priceless...especially when sailing in remote areas with no pumpout facilities and easy access to the three-mile limit.

[Tetra]

Originally Posted by deniseO30

Location is D&S on tullytown cove tullytown pa. warning! go in at high tide! keep to the right going in.. left going out. Call in advance until season opens may 15th.

That wasn't a pump out vac. You found the bank's night deposit tube system.

[Pamlicotraveler]

Originally Posted by Tetra

That wasn't a pump out vac. You found the bank's night deposit tube system.

That was the marina's vacuum cleaner system. Now your gonna have to pay for it.

[JohnRPollard]

I should have added:

Many pump-out hoses have a neoprene/rubber end on the hose, that pushes down into the deck fitting for the holding tank. The seal is made by applying downward pressure on the hose, and in theory the neoprene form fits to any opening. It's an imperfect system at best, often allowing air to enter the pump system.

A very beneficial addition we made to our pump out repertoire was a Pump-Out Adapter like this.

It screws down into the threads for the deck fitting. Then the pump out hose clamps around it (after removing the universal neoprene adapter). It's gasketed and makes a completely airtight seal, and greatly improves the suction of any pump. If you don't have one yet, I strongly recommend that you get one.

Check the size of your deck fitting before ordering.

[mwrohde2]

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

An empty holding tank: Priceless.

That's how I feel about it. I try to get my crew and guests to pump as little water as possible because I have to pay to pump it back out . . . but out it has to go. I'll pay the freight.

[genieskip]

[QUOTE

An empty holding tank: Priceless.[/QUOTE]

No holding tank at all - even better, just dump the compost once a year. Use a composting toilet!