DIY pump out at home? Best way to empty holding tank into sewer?

Z

Z-man

New Member
Dec 25, 2021
26
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Boat Info
220 Sundeck 2008
Engines
Mercruiser 350 mag mpi with bravo 3
Sorry if this has been covered, I'm not sure what words to use to search properly. I just bought my first boat with a head. There will be a strict no #2 policy. I work weekends so time on the lake is a premium. I have 5 gallon gas cans so I don't have to drive across the lake to the nearest gas station, the pump out station is also on the other side of the lake.

I have a sewer grate about 30 feet from the boat, I'm curious if there is a way for me drain my holding tank at home? I saw something called a black water bazooka but before I invest $400 to buy one, I was curious what your experience has been. I have power and water at the dock to help.

Thank you and if this has been covered a million times please forgive my searching skills.
 
I assume you have the pump-out option/fittings for your portapotti? You could convert that back to a regular portapotti and just empty it in the house - it's quick, easy and mess free to do that. Or, you could do home pump-outs. Use the advanced search and use my name as a qualifier along with, if I remember correctly, "home pump out". I think I did part one and part two.
 
Z-man said:
Sorry if this has been covered, I'm not sure what words to use to search properly. I just bought my first boat with a head. There will be a strict no #2 policy. I work weekends so time on the lake is a premium. I have 5 gallon gas cans so I don't have to drive across the lake to the nearest gas station, the pump out station is also on the other side of the lake.

I have a sewer grate about 30 feet from the boat, I'm curious if there is a way for me drain my holding tank at home? I saw something called a black water bazooka but before I invest $400 to buy one, I was curious what your experience has been. I have power and water at the dock to help.

Thank you and if this has been covered a million times please forgive my searching skills.
Click to expand...

"I'm curious if there is a way for me drain my holding tank at home?"

You should have a cleanout somewhere between your house and the street that you can use if you have to..

What is sewer cleanout?





A drain cleanout provides access to your main sewer line and is located outside of your home in the front or back yard. Cleanouts typically go unnoticed until there is a problem. They look like capped pipes sticking a few inches above the ground.
 
If it’s not a sanitary sewer it’s probably no bueno. And if it is, you’ll need to open it up and it’s still probably illegal. I think you’ll find you’re spending more non lake time with your work arounds than simply going across the lake and using the proper facilities, gas and pump out.
 
Lazy Daze said:
I assume you have the pump-out option/fittings for your portapotti? You could convert that back to a regular portapotti and just empty it in the house - it's quick, easy and mess free to do that. Or, you could do home pump-outs. Use the advanced search and use my name as a qualifier along with, if I remember correctly, "home pump out". I think I did part one and part two.
Click to expand...

Thank you, unfortunately the photos and links are dead from the post
 
Golfman25 said:
If it’s not a sanitary sewer it’s probably no bueno. And if it is, you’ll need to open it up and it’s still probably illegal. I think you’ll find you’re spending more non lake time with your work arounds than simply going across the lake and using the proper facilities, gas and pump out.
Click to expand...

You are correct. I didn't notice his boating location. The whole lake is only 5-6 miles end to end.
So across is only what, 5-10 minutes?
 
Z-man said:
Thank you, unfortunately the photos and links are dead from the post
Click to expand...
I think those pics must have been when I was using Photobucket, which I no longer use. However, read through the info - I believe I wrote some informative descriptions that should give you a pretty good idea of what you're looking at.
 
Lazy Daze said:
I think those pics must have been when I was using Photobucket, which I no longer use. However, read through the info - I believe I wrote some informative descriptions that should give you a pretty good idea of what you're looking at.
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
Like Dennis said …convert it back to a portable head or just buy a new one they are cheap enough…. Then you can take the suitcase to the toilet
 
Something else to think about since you're on Hopatcong... that's a very populated lake. Meaning, running a pump setup and a long hose from your dock to your sewer is going to be in plain view of lots of neighbors. Whether or not you are "in the right" to do this, perception is a whole 'nother thing.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Something else to think about since you're on Hopatcong... that's a very populated lake. Meaning, running a pump setup and a long hose from your dock to your sewer is going to be in plain view of lots of neighbors. Whether or not you are "in the right" to do this, perception is a whole 'nother thing.
Click to expand...

HA! That is funny....when we had our 260DA, I bought a separate macerator and the fittings to hook it to the pump out hole on the boat. Then hooked a garden hose to the macerator and ran it around back into the septic tank clean out. The way the yard was, boat had to sit in the driveway and hose ran around back. My wife would only allow me to "pump out" under the cover of darkness.....

Bennett
 
IF your boat has a holding tank you WANT #2 in there. Do your research, it's how a holding tank works.
 
How many times a season do you think you’ll need a pump out anyway?

It may be quicker to just go for the ride 2-3 times per year to pump it out.
 
Z-man said:
110% percent what was going through my mind. Hey Clark the $hitter is full
Click to expand...
Do I have to do EVERYTHING around here.

upload_2022-2-1_15-31-2.png
 
One more note here. Fueling from those 5 gallon fuel tanks may also be illegal or in violation of your dock agreement. If allowed take plenty of care because it is dangerous. If fueling from a non grounded source you can build up a static discharge... Which is real bad during fueling.

-Kevin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,322
Messages
1,430,529
Members
61,179
Latest member
Dean 400
Back
Top