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SV_Windshift · 05-05-2011, 09:36

This is my first post so I hope I'm doing things correctly

I have what I think is an unusual condition on my 1973 30' Scampi sloop.

The macerator pump appears to be connected to a deck fitting right next to the dockside suction fitting. in other words, the deck plate has 2 discharge outlets. The first is for a 1.5" line coming from the holding tank. the other is approximately 1" coming from the macerator pump. there is no through hull for the toilet waste system. Does anyone have an idea of what this may be and how it works?

Bash · 05-05-2011, 09:40

that sounds truly bizarre. Is there a hose connection of some sort on the 1" fitting?

Blue Stocking · 05-05-2011, 09:44

It would appear that you have the standard shore-based pumpout fitting, plus the ability to pumpout from on-board.
It would also allow you to flush out the tank, using your on-board pump.

**James S** · 05-05-2011, 09:46

If a hose can be connected to the 1" fitting and dropped over the side it make sence on some level...you'd never worry about any of the usual concerns with a thru-hull.

Blue Stocking · 05-05-2011, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by James S

If a hose can be connected to the 1" fitting and dropped over the side it make sence on some level...you'd never worry about any of the usual concerns with a thru-hull.

Hmmm, Interesting!!
How does this fit with the "locked Y-valve" requirement?

peghall · 05-05-2011, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by James S

If a hose can be connected to the 1" fitting and dropped over the side it make sence on some level...you'd never worry about any of the usual concerns with a thru-hull.

That's what it is, James...I've seen it before, although with a manual diaphragm pump and a y-valve instead of a second dedicated hose, macerator and deck fitting. It's a horrible arrangement, 'cuz it requires storing about 6' of nasty stinking dripping hose aboard. If the idea is to avoid a below-waterline thru-hull, it would have made a lot more sense to connect the macerator output to an ABOVE-waterline thru-hull. Yucky...but not nearly as yucky as that 6' of hose. Which, btw has to be long enough to put dangled end under water, or you'll have waste stains all over the side of the boat.

If you remove the macerator and just have a hose going into the tank from that deck fitting, you'll have a great way to flush out the tank while you're pumping out. If you want to be able to dump the tank at sea, you can always put a y-valve in the pumpout line and run another line to a below waterline thru-hull/seacock.

peghall · 05-05-2011, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

Hmmm, Interesting!!
How does this fit with the "locked Y-valve" requirement?

There's no requirement to HAVE a y-valve, only a requirement to "secure" it if you do. You'd be surprised how many boats don't....instead, they have a tee fitting in the pumpout line and the thru-hull is above the waterline. No y-valve, no seacock. Legal requirement to "secure" the system is met by having a keyed macerator switch...key must be kept in the captain's possession or in a locked locker to which only the captain has a key.

Whee.

Blue Stocking · 05-05-2011, 10:23

Thanks for the explanation Peg. I was just being devil's advocate, remembering a recent extensive discussion about the pros and cons of the various state laws.
Here in Bermuda, I kinda fence sit on the issue, as we have no pumpout regs, or facilities to do so, for that matter.

**James S** · 05-05-2011, 10:30

Yeah...I don't have a Y-valve...I wasent aware of the keyed macerator switch..that should be an easy thing to change....thanks Peggie.

peghall · 05-05-2011, 17:15

Unless you plan to reroute the macerator output to a thru-hull, you don't even have to change out the switch, 'cuz as long as there's no hose dangling over the side, your system is already "secure." Actually, neither a keyed macerator switch nor the absence of any dangling hose are among the acceptable means of securing a system that are set forth in the CFR...it's just one of the rare times that common sense prevails. You don't need a keyed switch 'cuz even Barney Fife wouldn't reckon that anyone would shoot poop geyser out a deck fitting...especially if the fitting happens be on the windward side of the boat at the time!

**James S** · 05-05-2011, 22:16

My macerator output is to a thru-hull, about 6" above the waterline (boat at rest)
I'm planning a trip to Turkey this Aug, I know they're really cracking down on over board discharge...Since all my waste water goes directly into tanks I have no Y-valves.
Im assuming/hoping the authorities will monitor my discharge with die.

SV_Windshift · 05-05-2011, 23:51

As my kids would say...

"Wow! Really ? .............. Wow"

A poop hose over the side!?. when I go to the boat tomorrow I'll try to take off the smaller deck fitting cap and see what the thread pattern is. Perhaps a standard garden hose? This type of system must not have been in use for years. I found nothing else on the Internet about it. And yet the deck fitting looks to have been massed produced. It certainly is not custom

Peghal, thank you for the information and insight

SV_Windshift · 05-05-2011, 23:58

By the way, there is no Y valve. Just a T connector.

This is truly a strange boat. It has a 2 cylinder diesel in the bow under the V berth which runs a hydraulic drive to turn the prop which is on the keel.

Weird swedish boat builders