Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

[livin4real]

Just picked up a Chaparral Sunesta with a regular porta-potti in it and have been debating whether to swap it out for a pump-out model and would like input from you guys. I know I'll have to add two thru-hull fittings for vent and waste, are there any other major issues with switching to a pump-out model? Do I have to add another water tank for it or do you fill the freshwater like a regular porta-potti? We spend every weekend on the lake and usually have 8-10 people onboard. We boat on Lake Monroe (10,000 acres) in Indiana with a free pump-out dock right by where we launch. Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

with that many pump out with big holding tank.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

Some more info to help out. We are only a family of four but usually have guests with us. We trailer home each day (25 minute drive) and don't overnight on the lake.

TD - Do pump-outs require a seperate freshwater tank? I'm leaning towards this thetford model if I go with a pump-out http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PRODUCTS/PortableToilets/PortaPotti365MSD/tabid/160/Default.aspx

 

[JoLin]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

Some more info to help out. We are only a family of four but usually have guests with us. We trailer home each day (25 minute drive) and don't overnight on the lake.

TD - Do pump-outs require a seperate freshwater tank? I'm leaning towards this thetford model if I go with a pump-out http://www.thetford.com/HOME/PRODUCTS/PortableToilets/PortaPotti365MSD/tabid/160/Default.aspx

No. The pump-out capability has nothing to do with having a fresh water supply. The Thetford you're looking at will OPERATE exactly like any other porta-potti. The fresh water supply for flushing is contained in the upper tank. The waste and flush water drop to the lower tank. The pump out hose and vent attach to the lower tank.

With a 5 gallon holding tank, and a big crowd, you'll probably need to pump out every day.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

The potti will be reserved for #2's 90% of the time and when the admiral doesn't feel like climbing in the water lol. I figured the 5g would easily last us a whole weekend?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

Hard to say if 5 gallons will be big enough. Wife and I have the set-up you're contemplating, but it's smaller, with a 2.6 gallon holding tank. We can't make it through a weekend with that one. I've been consdering the same one you're looking at because it would be a simple replacement, i.e., I won't need to run any addtional plumbing.

Next up the ladder is one like this:

http://www.dometic.com/enus/Americas/USA/Marine/Toilets/products/?productdataid=71991

It has a 10-gallon self-contained holding tank (so you don't need to add one), but it requires an on-demand fresh water supply. If you already have a fresh water tank you can plumb into that.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

I think we'll be good to go with the 5g, if nothing else I'll have to pump it out every day.

Where do your thru-hull fittings come out at? I've been trying to find pics of models with the pump-out so I know where I should put mine.

 

["G"]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

In the isles of sun and fun you never flush for #1 but yes please do; rinse and flush for #2.

A porta potti is good for any trip anywhere there is a toilet, where as; the pump out variety requires a pump out station. Not all marinas have them so think through that operation carefully if you like to cruise.

Hauling the porta potti tank out and dumping in any toilet facility is going to trump the obverse "hoping for a pump out" or not being able to use it at all.

My "Momma" said buy the porta potti when given that option.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

lol, good quote G.

And point taken on the pump-out. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it I guess) we spend 99.9% of our boating time on the same lake with a pump-out station but I do get your drift about not having it when you need it. I was really wanting to justify drilling holes in my boat but I'm realizing it is most likely not worth the trouble.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

In the isles of sun and fun you never flush for #1 but yes please do; rinse and flush for #2.

A porta potti is good for any trip anywhere there is a toilet, where as; the pump out variety requires a pump out station. Not all marinas have them so think through that operation carefully if you like to cruise.

Hauling the porta potti tank out and dumping in any toilet facility is going to trump the obverse "hoping for a pump out" or not being able to use it at all.

My "Momma" said buy the porta potti when given that option.

jill and i use the porta pot for this reason. as of late we have been on lakes with pump outs though
we bought two units that match, and carry the bottom of the second for longer stays. this doubles to 10 gal storage and porta pot are fairly cheap, so not big investment. works well for us, and we happen to have a handy place to carry the second tank. we are able to use lake water hose to refill top-flush tank and save on board system water for drinking and dishes ect

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

years ago, another house, i had a sewer outlet, put next to the driveway. would do my own pumpout.

 

[rbh]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

We have one, thank god the wife hates it and goes in the bush.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

years ago, another house, i had a sewer outlet, put next to the driveway. would do my own pumpout.

Now that's a dedicated boater, lol.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

jill and i use the porta pot for this reason. as of late we have been on lakes with pump outs though
we bought two units that match, and carry the bottom of the second for longer stays. this doubles to 10 gal storage and porta pot are fairly cheap, so not big investment. works well for us, and we happen to have a handy place to carry the second tank. we are able to use lake water hose to refill top-flush tank and save on board system water for drinking and dishes ect

Great idea on carrying the spare tank, I'll keep that in mind

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

My wife's one requirement before I am allowed to buy any boat is a full marine head. No porta potti.

the current throne.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

I do not know how it is in you state but in California a thru hull pump out must be sealed and have a tag wire on it inland. If caught without it sealed it is a big fine.

When 3 miles off shore then the rules change.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

I have a porta with pump out in the wellcraft and will be installing an actual electric head.... Just not a fan of having the raw sewage tank in the passenger compartment

 

[JoLin]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

I do not know how it is in you state but in California a thru hull pump out must be sealed and have a tag wire on it inland. If caught without it sealed it is a big fine.

When 3 miles off shore then the rules change.

Boatist, you're describing an overboard discharge, not a pump-out fitting. Different animal.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

My wife's one requirement before I am allowed to buy any boat is a full marine head. No porta potti.

the current throne.

I have a porta with pump out in the wellcraft and will be installing an actual electric head.... Just not a fan of having the raw sewage tank in the passenger compartment

If my boat was as big as your guy's I'd invest in a marine head too lol.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Opinions: Pump-out or Plain Porta-Potti?

Boatist, you're describing an overboard discharge, not a pump-out fitting. Different animal.

JoLin you are correct, My Bad.