240 DA Holding Tank

S

Sebago

New Member
Mar 20, 2007
8
New to this site, please forgive my lack of knowlege.
Hello all, I've recently purchased a 1998 20 Sundancer with 38 original hours (a deal that was hard to soy no to) Yhe boat is imaculate in all aspects, my only gripe is the head or should I say port-a-potty. I'd like to install a 20 gal. holding tank and a manual head. I know the new 240 Sundancer comes with a vacuflush system so I know it should be possible to install. I'd like to know if there is anyone that has faced the same problem of not enough holding capacity. My 240 is equiped with a macerator pump which I'll remove because I'm allways in fresh water. I can use the hull discharge fitting for a suction to the head by bushing the 1-1/2 seacock down to 3/4" Has anyone done this before and how big a job is it. Thanks and your reply will be greatful.
 
I can't give you a direct answer but you might want to download the parts manual for a later model 240DA where they offered the vacu-flush. That will at least get you started with components you will need and possible locations for the tank. Here is the link to the parts manual page on sea rays web site. http://www.searay.com/parts_manuals.asp
 
Thank you Dave,
I'm not sure, but I believe the manual type system may be considerably less money to install but as you said it would be a start
I've asked the Searay site but that's like pulling teeth.
 
My ‘economy’ suggestion is to buy the same brand port-a-potty with pump-out with a larger holding tank.

I see you have “bago†in your screen name. Any chance that stands for Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin?
 
Holding Tank

I have actually bought a large capacity port-a-potty which is a wopping 5 gallons. This means I need to pump out every week before we spend the weekend on it, it also means we can't let to many people use it because of it's small capacity. For this reason I'd like to install a 20 gal. holding tank at a cost of 100 dollars and was thinking about a Jabsco manual head for about 100-150 dollars. I've been researching the various problems with the Jabsc but it has been installed on so many boats. Of course I can't forget about the contrversal waste hose which can start at $2.00 per ft up to $20.00 per ft. I understand the trick is to not have any low points so that waste can settle and permeate the hose and cause odor,
and another thing I've learned is to use a dip at the top of the tank to supply the waste so waste does not sit in the supply hose.
My biggest question is hose routing and pitch and accessability for installation.

As to your question: Sebago is one of Maine's largest lakes, it's an absolutely beautiful Lake where a good portion of Maine actually get their drinking water from. I believe if you did a search on it you may see some pictures, if not I could post a few some time.
 
Sebago,

When routing your intake hose, which I am assuming will draw it's supply through the hull, you must install a vertical loop in the hose well above the waterline. this will prevent siphoning, which could ultimately swamp your boat. :smt018
Also, double clamp the hoses with 100% stainless steel clamps, not cheap imitations. :thumbsup:
 
Wast Tank

Sea Ray 300,

Thank you very much for your advise, You sound quite knowledgeable on the subject at hand. Does this knowledge come from experience? I would certainly love to upsize to a 280 Dancer
with the options I desire but for right now I couldn't say no to this boat. I'm engaged and looking to sell my house before upgrading. My fiance and I went to the boat show last weekend and we absolutely love what Searay did with their design of their 310 Sundancer for 07. It had the show hands down with form fit and finish.
Thanks again and please feel free to advise me of anything that you feel I need to know, I'm a sponge for info before I start this project very soon,

Sebago
 
I second what Dave has said. Go to Searay and ask for a list of components and possibly a plumbing schematic to do the job. It shouldn't be beyond the reach of anyone with good mechanical skills. It will however require modifications that may cause you to decide against it.
 
I don't know about your boat and I have no direct experience, but a 240 DA about 10 slips down the pier from me just swapped the Sani Poti for an electric head and installed a 30 gal holding tank to go with it. So, it can be done.

I just looked in the 1998 240 DA parts manual and there was no sign of a Vacu Flush system that I could find. These parts manuals are usually pretty complete. I may have missed it, so here is a link.

http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/parts_manuals/1998/1998_240_SUNDANCER.pdf

According to the 1998 240 brochure there was a direct overboard Vacu Flush option as an international option. There was also the pump out holding tank option, but I believe that still used the sani poti. Here's a link to the brochure showing the options:
http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/1998/25 feet and below/240DA_SS.pdf
 
98 240DA HOLDING TANK

Thank you all very much for your input, much appreciated.
Dan / Sebago
 
98 24DA Holding Tank

Hey Divedaddy,
I would love to hear how your neighbor 10 slips down was able to route the hoses and what accesses are available, that is if you should run in to him to speak with.
Thanks a million.

Sebago
 
Sebago,

I'm not sure he knows. His conversion was done just last week by the folks at Maritime Sanitation. You might call and ask to talk with Paul (the GM) - he may be able to steer you in the right direction. If you aren't down here in the upper Gulf region I imagine they will be very helpful. Here's a link:

http://www.maritimesanitation.com/

These are top notch folks who do really good work for a very reasonable price. Their current labor rate is $79/hour. Their work and knowledge, when it comes to sanitation systems, is superb.
 
Eric,

I contacted the Marine Sanitation people and they were very helpful
to provide me with much information including using the Raritan compact II over Jabsco. He said for the money it's a much better quality toilet. If you have any insight on problems with Jabsco or other type toilet please let me know, I'm still trying to my homework as well.

Thanks,
Dan
Sebago
98, 240DA
 
Dan,

I wish I could be of more help. The guys down the pier basically had the desire and ended up working with the folks at Maritime Sanitation. I use them for my annual service and checkup on my Vacu Flush system. So does about everyone I know. They have an excellent reputation and I know they do excellent work. They also have a good sense of humor about their work -- Capt. Poop. Beyond that, I am pretty useless.

You might try posting on the Marine Sanitation forum on the Boater*ed forums -- http://tinyurl.com/34wxwt

The guy who moderates that forum retired from marine sanitation work, and he is very knowledgeable and pretty much answers every post himself, along with others adding in their experience.
 
Sebago,
Last year I tossed the 5 gallon port a potty on my 1987 250 Sundancer. I replaced it with the Jabsco head($99 on sale) and a 20 gallon holding tank mounted on the starboard ledge in the engine compartment($95). Probable another $100 in hoses and clamps and stuff.

What I can tell you best are the mistakes which I will be correcting this year.

1) It never dawned on me that the hose that runs from the bottom of the holding tank, through the aft cabin to the pump out fitting on the deck needed a 90 deg elbow at the holding tank to get the level high enough so that waste cannot collect in the hose in the aft cabin. In other words the hose was horizontal from the holding tank until it made its upward turn below the pumpout fitting which is above the aft cabin. Major hose stink in the aft cabin-PU!!!

2)The small vent fitting does a poor job of exchanging any fresh air in the tank. I belive it, at least, needs a second vent for cross ventilation. I should be able to purchase one of those fitting kits that allows addition of fittings.

3) I did not want to drill a hole in the bottom of my boat to add a seacock for flush water. So far I am using one of those 5 gallon solar shower bags hung in the head closet where the macerator pump used to be. Works out OK but I think it can be improved.

4) The outlet on the side of the holding tank which leads to the pump out is high enough that there are still about 4 gallons of waste in the tank after pump out. So far my solution is a wedge of wood that lifts the tank on the opposite side during pumpout- helps a little. The more $$$ expensive holding tanks have top mount fittings that have a tube that may go closer to the bottom of the tank.

5) The Pro: After a full season my conclusions are that I much prefer the dignity of the feel of a real toilet.
The Con: With a flush toilet using sufficient flush water it fills nearly as quickly as the 5 gallon port a potty. You can stretch it a little further by moderate flushing during the day and a real good pump through at end of day.
 
Re: Wast Tank

Sebago said:
Sea Ray 300,

Thank you very much for your advise, You sound quite knowledgeable on the subject at hand. Does this knowledge come from experience?
Sebago
Click to expand...
Yes, experience from my 1996 Cruisers 2670 Rogue.
I've read most of the subsequent posts, and they seam to be right on target...Best wishes....
 
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