Use and Care of Head

[Lidokey]

I'm a newbie boater and while we've not had anyone use the head yet, with small grand children we know it's a matter of time. Have a 2012 Sundeck 260 with the pump-out head option. I'm looking for some general advice on how to care for this thing. Even if it's not used, should the holding tank be changed out regularly? (Boat is in south Florida on a lift so the weather is almost always warm and humid) Should any additives be used? If the head is used, how long can one wait to take it to a pump-out station, day or two, longer, less? Once it is "inaugurated" is it advisable to add any dilute chlorine water or any other antibacterial product?
Right now, I look at this thing as almost potentially radioactive once it's used!:smt119 Probably, I'm over-reacting but I'd sure like some experienced owners give me their advice before it's used! Thanks!

 

[WDCboater]

Welcome to CSR.

Do you have a Vacuflush head or a head with a tank attached that you must remove and empty on your own?

If you have a Vacuflush head here are some tips:
1) Put this stuff in your holding tank. Just flush some down the toilet.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...&subdeptNum=50653&classNum=50657#.UdG2zhbKP5E
2) Use only marine approved toilet paper. Everything that goes through a vaccflush system must fit through a hole about 1.5" in diameter.
3) We tell people if you didn't eat it, it doesn't belong in the head. Any foreign object may severely clog or damage your Vaccuflush system.
4) Before pumping out, flush some extra water through the system.

For either head system:
-We pump out after every trip if possible. So if you're out for the day and several people use the head, it's a good idea to pump it out.

 

[Alegria]

Yep agree with everything Ryan said. I laughed at your radio active comments. Odors are your biggest worry. I don't know if yours has a vent filter or not, it will be a canister in line with the vent most likely will have sealand written on it. If you have the filter you can let things stew away in the holding tank and you won't get much odor. But if you don't then you might want to empty it out sooner. On our old 280 we had the plumbed porti potty and it was a bit of a pain really. Because normally you can just take the poti potty and empty it, but when it's plumbed in you have to disconnect the pump out and vent and then remove it. So it's was easier to just pump it out. But I always felt like I was getting ripped off since it only holds 5-6 gallons. Now we have vacuflush head and it holds 28 gals and now I don't mind getting it pumped out.

We used to pump ours out every other week when we stopped for fuel. Since the waste is right there with the potty sometimes you get odors in the head compartment. The vacuflush stores the waste in a tank usually far away from the head compartment keeping the head smelling nice...

 

[Lidokey]

Ryan
Thanks for the advice. We're seasonal down in FL but going down there within 2 weeks. I guarantee you that a stop at West Marine is already on the list for the product you recommend! With you on the marine approved TP. That came with the boat. I really believe (naivete is such a wonderful state of mind!) that we will have few or hopefully no "pooping" events. If, probably when, it happens is great advice. Thanks!

Bob

 

[Lidokey]

Tom

I went through the Searay technical website and am 99% certain that on my little 26 footer, a vent filter is not part of the build. We bought this craft off the lot (a 2012 when the 2013's were shipping) but if I were ordering it, I wouldn't add the pump out option but it came with it. Seems like occasionally hauling out a 20 lb porti potty, emptying it in a toilet in the house and hosing the sh** out of it in the backyard is a lot easier than what I'm potentially faced with!
Probably I'm an over-reactor (OK, I know I am!) but I'm going to make our kids take a training potty with them on the boat. That way the grandkids can do what they have to do in something they're familiar with. We'll leave the so-called on board head (now adult bathroom ) for those who suddenly develop explosive diarrhea which with any luck, will NEVER happen to me or my boat!!! And if they do, I WILL extract a pound of flesh from them! I'm a Bourbon guy. Ever heard of Pappy van Winkle? Probably the hardest to find bourbon in the US. THAT is what they will owe me!!!
Thanks so much for the on-line advice. It all helps.

Bob

 

[WDCboater]

Ryan
Thanks for the advice. We're seasonal down in FL but going down there within 2 weeks. I guarantee you that a stop at West Marine is already on the list for the product you recommend! With you on the marine approved TP. That came with the boat. I really believe (naivete is such a wonderful state of mind!) that we will have few or hopefully no "pooping" events. If, probably when, it happens is great advice. Thanks!

Bob

Sounds good. Enjoy the boat!

 

[Smile Maker]

I use LOTS of the blue stuff in the waste tank. Plus, I use 50/50 pink antifreeze in the fresh water tank - that way it stays winterized all year long - dont have to mess with draining the tank in the winter.

I have the pump out option, but I just remove the tank and empty it in the house instead. Its easy, though I wonder how my septic tank likes it?

To tell the truth, since I use so much blue, I only have to empty it a couple of times a season.