When to pump out?

[FabioC]

This may be a stupid question, but I would like to know what "pump out strategy" people follow.

On our boat, we try our best to use the head as little as possible. So, the last thing the all crew does before leaving the dock and the first thing we do when getting back to the dock is to use the facilities at the marina. In this way, and due to the fact that we primarily go out sailing for a few hours at the time and more often than not is only two of us aboard, we do not fill our tank very quickly.

What do people do in this situation? Do you still pump out whatever little waste you have fairly frequently or do you just pump out once every two or three months, or whenever it fills?

Thank you!

[Sailmonkey]

We pump out when our tank is full.....If we had a pump out station in our marina instead of the one next door I'd pump out more often though.

[peghall]

Install a tank level indicator --this is the best one Profile Tank Monitors and pump out when the tank is 3/4 full. If you wait till it's full, you have no "running room" to use the toilet if it's raining or someone has to go while you're out.

[sailorboy1]

I pump out whenever the opportunity is there. If off shore I do it plus an extra flushing before coming back in.

[a64pilot]

I used to pump out weekly as it was only $5 to have the pump out boat, pump you out. Now I'm trying to see if we can go two weeks

[Calif.Ted]

About weekly and anytime we are leaving the boat for a few days, we are almost always in a discharge zone and I don't see any reason to let it "stew" in our warm climate any longer than necessary. Also I think more macerator pumps freeze up from non-use than have ever "worn out".

[Suijin]

I don't have a tank level indicator and as a result err on the side of caution as the consequence of not doing so is unpleasant. I have a pretty good feel for when it needs to be pumped out and go by that.

As for letting it sit...have never done that (as I live on the boat) but I imagine that some settling could occur and make flushing less complete. Every few pumpouts I add a capful of Calgon, a water softener that helps make sure everything comes out. If I were to let it sit I would definitely add some.

[ranger58sb]

We have a tank level sensor, and I begin scheduling our next pump out when the gauge shows half full. That may mean I get to it right away, or several days may pass and we often end up actually pumping at about the 3/4 full mark.

Duration varies, though, depending on how often we're on the boat during a given period. We can get through about 5-7 days if we're onboard all week. If we're only onboard a few days here and there, it could be a few weeks before we start scheduling.

-Chris

[rickdamico]

The pumpout station in our marina is conveniently located on the way out, so we always stop first, pump out and then go out. The manufacturer of our boat Beneteau, recommends to pump out every time we use the boat.

[Ivansgarage]

"When to pump out?"

When the sh*t is running over the gunnel, It's time.

[robbievardon]

What if anything do you put in your loo after pump out? Apart from more of the same!!!

[boeing1]

never let it get even close to full

[macman4190]

The chemical you put in the tank has a useful life given in the instructions. I limit my time to 3-4 weeks.

[Scorpius]

I LOVE my composting toilet!

[Mike OReilly]

On the first basic keel boat course I ever took I had a captain who’s favourite saying was: “Never pass up a beer store, and NEVER pass up a pump out!” Now that I think of it, the two are probably related .

Scorpius99eh …