Head holding tank pump out

[SkaterRace]

This will be my first ever year with a boat that has a head onboard. I don't expect it to be used much and was wondering about the process of pumping it out. I will be trailering it and keeping it likely at a yacht club near the ramp I will go to if the one at the club doesn't work for me. Which sounds like it might not. The best I can find is it might have a 2-2.5 gallon tank which to me seems tiny and near useless. I don't want to pump it out weekly since that is expensive and a royal pain - the closest is 40 km/25 miles away by water and costs I think $60 - so I am wondering how long I can go between pump outs assuming it rarely gets used. I'd like to encourage people to not use it unless they have to. A friend has a portable head on his boat and just never lets his family use it at all. The longest they are out is 4-6 hours where I might be 8-10 on a few occasions.

Can I leave it for say a month at a time and only pump out 2-3 times a summer? Also is there a normal way of telling when the tank is full? For reference, the boat is a 2019 Blackfin 212CC.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Sure, as long as it’s not full. In the past, I’ve gone the whole season without pumping out.
My boat has a black water tank gauge; I’m guessing yours dees not?

 

[SkaterRace]

Sure, as long as it’s not full. In the past, I’ve gone the whole season without pumping out.
My boat has a black water tank gauge; I’m guessing yours dees not?

Good to know I can go that long and I have no clue if it does, this is the first time I have ever had a boat with a head and I didn't know what to look for. I pick it up April 11 so will check shortly after that I guess

 

[alldodge]

The solids will be the main issue. Can put chemicals in to reduce the smell. If it stays with mainly liquid (paper in a trash bag) you can pump it out your self with a shop vac. Then pour it down your toilet at home

 

[Earl Cordova]

I use a Todd Waste Caddy that holds 29 gallons.
However I purchased it in 2005 and they have gone up in price a lot since then.

 

[flashback]

I've had porta pottys with more capacity than you claim. Might last the weekend. The shop vac is a good idea...

 

[SkaterRace]

I've had porta pottys with more capacity than you claim. Might last the weekend. The shop vac is a good idea...

Yeah it is kinda sad what I read but I have not found anything official on it yet and the sales guy said he is unsure too. The 212CC is not made anymore but the sales guy said the 222CC is a rename of the 212CC so I think that if I can find official specs on it then I am good but the Blackfin site says "NA" for waste tank capacity.

 

[SkaterRace]

I use a Todd Waste Caddy that holds 29 gallons.
However I purchased it in 2005 and they have gone up in price a lot since then.

Just looked at them and seem cool but for $1200 USD compared to $60 each time that would take a while to pay off and justify. Might go a bit and see how often I need to empty it then see if they pay off might be worth it.

 

[garbageguy]

"- the closest is 40 km/25 miles away by water and costs I think $60...is there a normal way of telling when the tank is full?..."

Wow, 25 miles away and $60, hopefully you can find cheaper and closer pump-out.

If you don't know capacity and there's no gauge or high-level light, you could get it empty and fill it with water one measured gallon at a time til full, and pump that out. You'll get it flushed-out and have an idea on capacity

 

[SkaterRace]

Wow, 25 miles away and $60, hopefully you can find cheaper and closer pump-out.

If you don't know capacity and there's no gauge or high-level light, you could get it empty and fill it with water one measured gallon at a time til full, and pump that out. You'll get it flushed-out and have an idea on capacity

That is the closest and cheapest I can find. There is a marina 100ft from where I launch but to get fuel or pump out you must have a slip. The next closest marina in the direction I will be headed 90% of the time is the 25 miles away.

 

[JimS123]

Been there done that. Whatever you do you need to add black tank chemical to make it store longer.

Using a shopvac has to be the most disgusting thing ever. I allow #1 in my potty, but after having done a few cleanouts #2 is verboten.

 

[Earl Cordova]

Just looked at them and seem cool but for $1200 USD compared to $60 each time that would take a while to pay off and justify. Might go a bit and see how often I need to empty it then see if they pay off might be worth it.

Another thing to consider is the time savings.
I pump mine out and dump it down a sewer cleanout in the alley behind the house.
As a side note I would never even consider using a shop vac.

 

[SkaterRace]

Been there done that. Whatever you do you need to add black tank chemical to make it store longer.

Using a shopvac has to be the most disgusting thing ever. I allow #1 in my potty, but after having done a few cleanouts #2 is verboten.

Shopvac sounds super gross and not something I have any interest in. Rather just never use the head than use a shopvac.

 

[SkaterRace]

Another thing to consider is the time savings.
I pump mine out and dump it down a sewer cleanout in the alley behind the house.
As a side note I would never even consider using a shop vac.

Time savings might be a good point there, trip to bring it down the way to the marina would be a while and gas costs too but then again if I just make it a stop when I am out on a day trip maybe not so bad. I will have to check with the yacht club if those caddy things are allowed or not. They have some interesting rules that I will have to follow if I want their dry storage.

 

[flashback]

I wouldn't use the shop vac directly, but I can see rigging up a 5 gal paint bucket as the primary collector.

 

[Horigan]

I went through this on my 21' cuddy and just replaced the john with a porta potty. Super easy to remove and pour down a toilet. How much capacity do you really need for a day trip or three?

 

[SkaterRace]

I went through this on my 21' cuddy and just replaced the john with a porta potty. Super easy to remove and pour down a toilet. How much capacity do you really need for a day trip or three?

I like the idea of a built-in one as dumping it out sounds kinda gross to me. Not sure how much I need, most I could see on the boat is 5 people and even assuming everyone uses it once in a day then that is probably less than 2.5 gallons I figure the holding tank is. I am just hoping I can hold off for pumping it out since that is a pain and expensive. I have gone 13 years without a head on a boat without an issue.

 

[alldodge]

Don't know about your area but inland lakes here have pump outs at most all marinas and only cost $10, free id you buy gas

 

[SkaterRace]

Don't know about your area but inland lakes here have pump outs at most all marinas and only cost $10, free id you buy gas

I'm on the St Lawerence and just where I am there are a couple marinas close but I have heard don't service transient traffic. Also will likely never buy gas at a marina when a gas station on the way to the launch is so much cheaper.

 

[JimS123]

Look around...
No boats nearby...
Take off your pants...
Jump in the water...
Do your bizness...
Climb back in...
Put your pants back on...
Problem solved.

(just thought I would add a little levity here)