port-a-pottis

HavingFun

HavingFun

New Member
Nov 14, 2006
238
Grand Haven
Boat Info
2005 SD220
Engines
350 Mag Alpha
I have had my boat for 2 years and no one has used the head. I have the pump out model and we don't always boat near a pump out facility.

I read the manual and it says to add the blue stuff to the waste tank? Does the head unclamp from the floor? Also how much water do I add to the top?

Thanks
 
Not sure if there has been a discussion here, but there was a lengthy one on SRO about this. I (and several others) never use pumpouts. It's easier, IMO, to just unclamp (on the sides are the clamps) and remove the entire potty, wash out and put back in, all at like 10 minutes tops. Don't have to worry about keeping lines clean and as it's a self contained, no mess. To use we just spray in some water before 'going', a lil after, then pull the handle. :smt001 I have my lines capped off and when it's time to move up I can put in a new potty and advertise as never been used.
 
I don't see how that is easier than attaching the pump out nozzle while you top off the tanks. I don't have to carry gallons of pee down a dock. :smt021
 
RT 240SD said:
I don't see how that is easier than attaching the pump out nozzle while you top off the tanks. I don't have to carry gallons of pee down a dock. :smt021
Click to expand...

and disconnect pump-out and vent hoses
 
We have the same portapotty. The base is screwed to the floor and you can see the poo stuff. The top unclamps to fill with water if you need to take it to a hose. Do not add the blue stuff to the water tank. Add to the holding tank.

It was talked about some time ago about using a shop vac as portapotty extractor. I can say it does work even if it is stinky work. :smt009 Wear a mask and rubber gloves and mark the shop vac for that use. A 2 1/2 gallon vac cost $30.00 bucks at the wally store and did the trick. :grin:
 
RT 240SD said:
I don't see how that is easier than attaching the pump out nozzle while you top off the tanks. I don't have to carry gallons of pee down a dock. :smt021
Click to expand...

Probably isn't.... but then I park at the house.......

And disconnecting and capping the hoses?? Now I'm no mechanic...but going down to Home Depot and buying a couple of PVC caps and screwing them on isn;t THAT difficult.....

It was just my opinion......... :huh:
 
I don't mess with mine. I'm afraid I would trip and spill it all over myself. I have always used the pump out and it works perfect. They do one pump out, fill it back up with a hose, and pump out again. No worries, it's worth $10 bucks to not detach and carry it somewhere.
 
Only costs me $3.00 to pump out... so I don't mess with it either.
 
Do you pour the blue stuff down the pump out vent? How long can you go between pump outs? Weeks?
 
When we pumped out Monday we were next to a 45 foot-er. That boat has two heads and two large holding tanks. The guy said he pumps out every THREE days. He shrugged his shoulders when he said that and explained that his daughter was always on board.

THREE days!

My experience pumping out wasn't bad, but I don't think it's any better than carrying a portapotty. Using a portapotty would simplify the boat's mechanical plant.

I could take out the vacuflush and put something in it's place to re-complicate the mechanical plant. Something like A/C or a generator -- or both maybe.
 
HavingFun said:
Do you pour the blue stuff down the pump out vent? How long can you go between pump outs? Weeks?
Click to expand...


We can go about a month. We always look for other places to "go" unless we are on the hook. We also use oderloss in the holding tank, it works better than the deoderant, and it won't turn your fingers blue if you should spill some.
 
Oh, one more thing. You pour it directly into the holding tank, not into the pump out fitting (or vent). The holding tank is directly below the pottie, pull out the handle and pour in...
 
Thanks RiverRat

The instructions say not to pour in this way because of the damage to the seals. Is this an overprecaution if you are careful to pour? With the pump out its difficult to get to the holding tank.
 
Are you talking the deoderant or oderloss? If you prefer the blue stuff you can pour it into the freshwater holding tank at the top of the pottie, since I use the odorloss I pour it directly into the holding tank. I also use the granulated stuff which 1 pouch is for like a 40 gal. holding tank so I just use a tablespoons worth at a time.
 
I have a porta potti on my 1990 Sundancer 270DA. You can pour the blue liquid from the bottle directly into the waste tank. The precaution is an over kill. The blue stuff does not go into the fresh water tank!!! That could damage the pump seals! After pumping the unit out, you simply pull open the hatch, pour in the specified amount, pump the flush to add a small amount of water to cover over the blue liquid, and close the hatch. If you get any blue stuff on the hatch seal, you just add some water by pumping before you flush, and then open the hatch to flush, and close the hatch.

My boat has a pump out fitting on the starboard rail that connects by hose to the porta potti waste tank. Use of the pump out station is easy to do, with no mess! I pump out every 3-4 weeks. Just make sure you don't mistake the gas fill for the fuel fill when fueling! Gas in the porta potti is not a good thing! And don't forget to winterize the head at the season end! The water holding tank should be drained. Read the instructions that come with the porta potti on your boat. If you can't find the instructions, go on-line and get another copy, or contact the manufacturer.
 
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