Keep head valve open while cruising

W

Wassim Merhebi

New Member
Feb 20, 2023
26
Boat Info
2023 290SDX twin Verado 250
Engines
Twin verado 250 outboard
I own a 2023 SDX 290 . i bought the boat with direct overboard flush system which comes with a macerator and without a holding tank .
If i keep the valve shut the vaccuflush doesn't work and the toilet overflows when we want to fill it with water .
Access to the valve is very difficult so we can't open it whenever we want to use the toilet in addition to being quite unpractical .
I'm tempted to leave the valve open at all times but i'm concerned that while cruising sea water penetrates through the discharge pipe .
Has anyone faced something similar ? any recommended solution ?
 
Wassim Merhebi said:
I own a 2023 SDX 290 . i bought the boat with direct overboard flush system which comes with a macerator and without a holding tank .
If i keep the valve shut the vaccuflush doesn't work and the toilet overflows when we want to fill it with water .
Access to the valve is very difficult so we can't open it whenever we want to use the toilet in addition to being quite unpractical .
I'm tempted to leave the valve open at all times but i'm concerned that while cruising sea water penetrates through the discharge pipe .
Has anyone faced something similar ? any recommended solution ?
Click to expand...

I find it hard to believe that a 2023 boat would even have an overboard pump out installed. It's illegal everywhere with in the US limits. Not to mention the heavy fines for pumping overboard. It's a USCG law that there has to be a two step locking mechanism for the overboard pump out. Meaning the overboard is closed and usually tie wrap locked or a key operated macerator pump.

So to answer your question, you need to install a holding tank and some of your problems will be solved.
 
With that setup, please Make sure you’re not in my marina. :)

I think you have to have a holding tank. Check again.
 
Sea Ray offers direct-discharge for models sold overseas.

My U.S.-market 280BR has a pump-out porta-potty setup, but the discharge pump is simply a Vacuflush vacuum generator (one duckbill on each side of the pump). When the seacock is open underway, water never flows toward the head. In fact, it will empty the tank in the head without even running the pump.

I suppose that with enough pressure, the duckbills could be inverted and allow water to flow inward, but that seems unlikely.
 
I suspect he's not in the US. The US option is WITH a holding tank. I know, it's kind of strange for us to think of that - I've read that in some areas they even allow direct overboard pumping right at the marina in your slip!

No, you should be fine to leave it open. Both the macerator (if it's the same option as the US option it's a true macerator with an impeller) and the toilet, itself, are deterrents to seawater coming in. Plus, the mushroom head of the thru-hull discharge would likely create more of a vacuum as the water rushes over it than anything else. It's not a "scoop" like an AC thru-hull would be.

Check this out: https://thmarinesupplies.com/products/seacock-remote-operation-arm There are also electrically controlled versions of this.
 
Lazy Daze said:
I suspect he's not in the US. The US option is WITH a holding tank. I know, it's kind of strange for us to think of that - I've read that in some areas they even allow direct overboard pumping right at the marina in your slip!

No, you should be fine to leave it open. Both the macerator (if it's the same option as the US option it's a true macerator with an impeller) and the toilet, itself, are deterrents to seawater coming in. Plus, the mushroom head of the thru-hull discharge would likely create more of a vacuum as the water rushes over it than anything else. It's not a "scoop" like an AC thru-hull would be.

Check this out: https://thmarinesupplies.com/products/seacock-remote-operation-arm There are also electrically controlled versions of this.
Click to expand...
Thanks a lot lazy daze , this is exactly what I was looking for . Should I install one anyway ? And when do you recommend I close the valve ? Over here we use boat 12months a year so we don’t winterize.
 
By installing a holding tank, you gain the option of choosing when to discharge waste. You could keep the valve closed until the you need to empty the tank in appropriate waters.

I'd highly recommend it.
 
Skybolt said:
I find it hard to believe that a 2023 boat would even have an overboard pump out installed. It's illegal everywhere with in the US limits. Not to mention the heavy fines for pumping overboard. It's a USCG law that there has to be a two step locking mechanism for the overboard pump out. Meaning the overboard is closed and usually tie wrap locked or a key operated macerator pump.

So to answer your question, you need to install a holding tank and some of your problems will be solved.
Click to expand...

RollerCoastr said:
By installing a holding tank, you gain the option of choosing when to discharge waste. You could keep the valve closed until the you need to empty the tank in appropriate waters.

I'd highly recommend it.
Click to expand...
Thanks I’ll speak to the dealer about it . I haven’t seen a single marina around here with pump out facility but you’re right at least with a holding tank I can choose when to empty it . The last thing I want is for someone to flush when we’re swimming around the boat .
 
I
Skybolt said:
I find it hard to believe that a 2023 boat would even have an overboard pump out installed. It's illegal everywhere with in the US limits. Not to mention the heavy fines for pumping overboard. It's a USCG law that there has to be a two step locking mechanism for the overboard pump out. Meaning the overboard is closed and usually tie wrap locked or a key operated macerator pump.

So to answer your question, you need to install a holding tank and some of your problems will be solved.
Click to expand...
I’m abroad , the whole pump out infrastructure is inexistant …so far but things are changing quickly
 
Wassim Merhebi said:
I’m in Dubai
Click to expand...

Ah, so are there any laws about direct discharge, if not then leave the valve open I guess. Hard for me to say that though. So used to having a pump out boat or facility close by. For me it doesn't seem right to discharge overboard.

I still think a holding tank is best. It would let you discharge out in open water.
 
Skybolt said:
Ah, so are there any laws about direct discharge, if not then leave the valve open I guess. Hard for me to say that though. So used to having a pump out boat or facility close by. For me it doesn't seem right to discharge overboard.

I still think a holding tank is best. It would let you discharge out in open water.
Click to expand...
I agree I don’t like doing it either but the way sea ray build their boats they make everything so inaccessible I can’t imagine how they’ll be able to fit a tank . I’ll speak to the dealer though to clear my conscience. I’m already worried about the day the pump needs work
IMG_0887.jpeg
6b67d274-cb69-4005-b6b1-840dad7285db.jpeg
 
For everyday access to the handle, it's not really that bad - until you fill that compartment with stuff, anyways :)

You'll have to decide what you want to do about the closing the valve and adding a tank. And there will be plenty of room in that boat to put a 10g tank, so don't worry about that.

BUT, regardless of the decision... open and close it a few times a month no matter what to "exercise" it. Otherwise it may not close/open when you want it to.
 
Lazy Daze said:
For everyday access to the handle, it's not really that bad - until you fill that compartment with stuff, anyways :)

You'll have to decide what you want to do about the closing the valve and adding a tank. And there will be plenty of room in that boat to put a 10g tank, so don't worry about that.

BUT, regardless of the decision... open and close it a few times a month no matter what to "exercise" it. Otherwise it may not close/open when you want it to.
Click to expand...
I’m 6’2’’ 200 pounds it was quite funny trying to squeeze myself in there luckily found a much smaller guy working on the dock who kindly helps me
 
Wassim Merhebi said:
I agree I don’t like doing it either but the way sea ray build their boats they make everything so inaccessible I can’t imagine how they’ll be able to fit a tank . I’ll speak to the dealer though to clear my conscience. I’m already worried about the day the pump needs work
Click to expand...

They do shoe horn things in at times. But that boat is also sold in the US so there has to be accommodations for a tank, even if it is a small one.
 

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