Pumpout - how often ?
- Thread starter Jeanie P
- Start date
Captains Cat
New member
Obviously depends on the size of the holding tank. Curiously, the CD25 Specs on the factory site list the capacities of the water heater and the water tank but not the holding tank. I would guess it's about 12 gallons or so and would last two normal output :cry adults about a week if you don't use excessive flushing water. An alternative is an AIRHEAD which is a composting toilet that several folks have put on their CD25's. Pat Anderson loves his and it will last you nearly a whole season. Read about it at the AirHead website which is referenced in the thread above. there are several different brands, do a search on "composting toilets" or things like that either on Google or on this website.
It would be simpler to install if you ordered a new CD25 without the marine head/holding tank which is standard, not an option. The AirHead just sits on the platform and requires no deck penetration, only a small one in the side of the boat as a vent. If I were ordering a new CD, I'd get one that way and put in a toilet like this.
Charlie
It would be simpler to install if you ordered a new CD25 without the marine head/holding tank which is standard, not an option. The AirHead just sits on the platform and requires no deck penetration, only a small one in the side of the boat as a vent. If I were ordering a new CD, I'd get one that way and put in a toilet like this.
Charlie
Well, of course, the smart-ass answer would be: whenever it's full. :wink:
The RV type head that gets used on the 25 has a 9 gallon holding tank. If you use the flush feature of the toilet, you will fill it much quicker. We put a ball-valve in the water supply line of the toilet to keep the water turned off, except when we want it. Realistically, most people use a LOT more water than necessary to flush. We keep a soda bottle filled with water to use to flush. With 2 of us onboard, we need to think about a pumpout about once a week or so. Since we spend much of our time when traveling with the boat exploring on land, you may be able to extend that time, by using on shore facilities.
When using the shower in the CD-25, the spray will fill the toilet. This means sooner pumpout. We put a plastic bag over the toilet when showering... think: BIG shower cap. :lol:
Use the RV holding tank chemicals and it takes care of any odor.
Regarding the AirHead: I think it is an interesting system, but seems best suited for those who use it sporadically. On one sailing forum, a couple put one of these on their boat (full-time cruisers) and found that it simply couldn't keep up with their sanitation needs, because of the time the waste needs to, umm, "cook." Of course, everyone's experience (and reality) is different. We were RVers before becoming boaters, so we had plenty of experience with RV type water systems/sanitation. The current toilet/tank system on the CD-25 makes good sense for us.
Because the toilet uses fresh water to flush, there is no problem with sea critters dying in the line and causing a stink (as would be the case with the vacuum flush heads).
Depending on where you are located, you can run 3 miles offshore to dump (what we generally do when around this area).
So, your mileage (or water usage) may vary. Go somewhere that potable water isn't readily available and you will find that you can learn to be VERY conservative with your water usage. Same with the toilet and holding tank.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
The RV type head that gets used on the 25 has a 9 gallon holding tank. If you use the flush feature of the toilet, you will fill it much quicker. We put a ball-valve in the water supply line of the toilet to keep the water turned off, except when we want it. Realistically, most people use a LOT more water than necessary to flush. We keep a soda bottle filled with water to use to flush. With 2 of us onboard, we need to think about a pumpout about once a week or so. Since we spend much of our time when traveling with the boat exploring on land, you may be able to extend that time, by using on shore facilities.
When using the shower in the CD-25, the spray will fill the toilet. This means sooner pumpout. We put a plastic bag over the toilet when showering... think: BIG shower cap. :lol:
Use the RV holding tank chemicals and it takes care of any odor.
Regarding the AirHead: I think it is an interesting system, but seems best suited for those who use it sporadically. On one sailing forum, a couple put one of these on their boat (full-time cruisers) and found that it simply couldn't keep up with their sanitation needs, because of the time the waste needs to, umm, "cook." Of course, everyone's experience (and reality) is different. We were RVers before becoming boaters, so we had plenty of experience with RV type water systems/sanitation. The current toilet/tank system on the CD-25 makes good sense for us.
Because the toilet uses fresh water to flush, there is no problem with sea critters dying in the line and causing a stink (as would be the case with the vacuum flush heads).
Depending on where you are located, you can run 3 miles offshore to dump (what we generally do when around this area).
So, your mileage (or water usage) may vary. Go somewhere that potable water isn't readily available and you will find that you can learn to be VERY conservative with your water usage. Same with the toilet and holding tank.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
matt_unique
New member
I have not found a single chemical that prevents *all* odors so I like to pump her out at least once a month if not every three weeks. Keeping her mostly empty will prevent the odors. The holding tank capacity on Napoleon is 9 g.
I agree that 3-4 days is average. We put a valve in the water supply line, copying Jim B's idea. I also copied an installation of a solar powered exhaust fan from Sea Pal. Using a RV chemical for the head and the exhaust fan, it's odor free.
The holding tank on the SeaLand Traveler that's used on the 25s and TCs is 9 gallons.
The holding tank on the SeaLand Traveler that's used on the 25s and TCs is 9 gallons.
Our 2003 25 seems to have a large tank--I would guess about 25 gallons--based on when we rebuilt the floor. We can easily go a week, but do pump about every 3 to 4 days. We have a 10 gallon tank in the Road Trek and I can get a week out of that--same on the Sea Land of the Tom Cat, but that is pushing it.
I just can't leave a discussion of toilets on small boats go by with out putting in a pitch for the PortaPotty.
Port a pots do not smell at all if you use a chemical that you can get at any Walmart or marine store. The larger models hold about 2 to 4 days for two adults. The water supply is in the top of the tank and since it is fresh water you do not get any odor from rotting marine organisims. You can carry the bottom of the tank ashore and dump in any toilet or many marinas have a special place to empty potty tanks. If you keep your boat at a marina just take the waste tank home with you to empty into your sewer. We have also dumped into Jiffy Johns at many water side launch ramps. To shower on the 25 just close the lid-no problem.
We have been boating and around boats for over 25 years and have had holding tanks with standard marine heads. Beleive me the potty is a lot easier to mantain. On larger boats with a large holding tank a marine head is OK, but on smaller boats we think the port a pot is best
Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey(the cat)
Port a pots do not smell at all if you use a chemical that you can get at any Walmart or marine store. The larger models hold about 2 to 4 days for two adults. The water supply is in the top of the tank and since it is fresh water you do not get any odor from rotting marine organisims. You can carry the bottom of the tank ashore and dump in any toilet or many marinas have a special place to empty potty tanks. If you keep your boat at a marina just take the waste tank home with you to empty into your sewer. We have also dumped into Jiffy Johns at many water side launch ramps. To shower on the 25 just close the lid-no problem.
We have been boating and around boats for over 25 years and have had holding tanks with standard marine heads. Beleive me the potty is a lot easier to mantain. On larger boats with a large holding tank a marine head is OK, but on smaller boats we think the port a pot is best
Fred, Pat, and Mr. Grey(the cat)
Fred, I have to agree with you that on a 22, a porta-potty makes the most sense. I can even see the argument for one on a 25, but we have been very pleased with the Sealand RV-type toilet on Wild Blue. There are times that the limited holding tank on a portable porta-potty won't cut it for our travels. If you really look at the Sealand setup on the 25, it IS pretty much a really big version of a porta-potty... OK, the version that you can't carry out and dump in a toilet. :wink: It uses fresh water, just like a porta-potty. You can pump it out via a pump-out station or with a macerator pump. We use RV chemical in it (like we did with our various porta-potty equipped boats).
When we have guests onboard, we find that people are either fascinated by or afraid of the toilet on a boat. Even more so with a porta-potty. It's poopin' and peein'... we all do it. And whether you have a fixed head with a holding tank or a porta-potty, we all haul it around with us to some degree. 8) Now, NOT having some kind of potty facility WOULD be a real concern.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
When we have guests onboard, we find that people are either fascinated by or afraid of the toilet on a boat. Even more so with a porta-potty. It's poopin' and peein'... we all do it. And whether you have a fixed head with a holding tank or a porta-potty, we all haul it around with us to some degree. 8) Now, NOT having some kind of potty facility WOULD be a real concern.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
The idea of an ENCLOSED head was a huge selling point for Meredith. She could've/would've done the porta-potty, but she gently reminded me of our gran-DAUGHTER. 
That said, the thought of carrying a tank of...well, you know what, up the dock, up the ramp, up the stairs....no thanks and transporting it home? NOPE. We both see enough crap at work. Literally.
(Her more frequently) The pump out feature works fine for us. We finally used it enough to required the first pump out; pull up to dock, remove cover, pull hose over, switch on...pretty painless IMO. I even carry a box of Nitrile gloves on board to make "clean up" easier. We plan to use any on-shore facilities when available, but the tank is a no brainer.
Now on to the true story of the leaking pump out hose connection. Yep...you guessed it. :x After the first pump out the boat was in the driveway a few days, in 80F temps. Upon my first entrance into said boat I was welcomed with the smell of raw sewage. :shock: :amgry Upon opening the galley cabinet it "intensified". :amgry :amgry Seems a joint at the valve was leaking. The hose clamps were not securely tightened and a trail of "brown" had run down the interior of the hull and deposited a "puddle" right where the hull and side of the hull met. Fortunately, it was a minimal amount and the swale in the hull design acted as a nice dam/container, restricting said puddle along the hull, front to back. It did not flow under the front cabinet OR the rear shower/head, thankfully. Cuss a lot, don a pair of Nitrile gloves and a half hour of clean up with a Clorox and water solution and numerous paper towels made the air more breathable. I then tightened down ALL the hose clamps I could see. So anyone with a new boat may want to take a look see at those clamps.
That said, the thought of carrying a tank of...well, you know what, up the dock, up the ramp, up the stairs....no thanks and transporting it home? NOPE. We both see enough crap at work. Literally.
(Her more frequently) The pump out feature works fine for us. We finally used it enough to required the first pump out; pull up to dock, remove cover, pull hose over, switch on...pretty painless IMO. I even carry a box of Nitrile gloves on board to make "clean up" easier. We plan to use any on-shore facilities when available, but the tank is a no brainer. Now on to the true story of the leaking pump out hose connection. Yep...you guessed it. :x After the first pump out the boat was in the driveway a few days, in 80F temps. Upon my first entrance into said boat I was welcomed with the smell of raw sewage. :shock: :amgry Upon opening the galley cabinet it "intensified". :amgry :amgry Seems a joint at the valve was leaking. The hose clamps were not securely tightened and a trail of "brown" had run down the interior of the hull and deposited a "puddle" right where the hull and side of the hull met. Fortunately, it was a minimal amount and the swale in the hull design acted as a nice dam/container, restricting said puddle along the hull, front to back. It did not flow under the front cabinet OR the rear shower/head, thankfully. Cuss a lot, don a pair of Nitrile gloves and a half hour of clean up with a Clorox and water solution and numerous paper towels made the air more breathable. I then tightened down ALL the hose clamps I could see. So anyone with a new boat may want to take a look see at those clamps.
localboy":dcwfx4mh said:
Good point! When we picked up our boat, pretty much ALL the hose clamps needed to be tightened. Then, to add a "belt and suspenders", Joan wrapped the connections around the Y-valve in plastic.
We also replaced the elbow connections at the water heater because they leaked and tightening didn't help. Minor annoyances, once corrected you don't have to deal with again. Well, once in a while it doesn't hurt to look around and check all the connections. :wink:
Best wishes,
Jim