Holding tank, toilet discharge

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:45 pm

can anybody tell me the rules for a holding tank, I know that I should have one, but this is the second boat Ive had without one, the toilet appears to discharge directly to a fitting through the hull,
some people tell me it depends on the age of the boat, but I think the new rules say all vessels have to have a holding tank,
I bought one and am starting to install this week
any thoughts?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:49 pm

Unless you 3? miles off shore in the ocean you can not pump overboard . A lot of older boats did not have holding tanks as there was no law then . but no matter how old your boat is the law is the law now. I put a 35 gal tank in mine .

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:58 pm

thats what I purchased, I believe its a 32 gal, ?
I had a coast guard instructor tell me, that if you have an older boat, with overboard discharge, and havent converted to a holding tank, you must put a sign on the toilet saying" do not use" and you wont be fined,,,lol that sounds a little wacky,, but I dont agree with dumping waste into the waters, casue you know someone will. also you have to clearly mark the pump out with "do not use"

has anyone heard of this??

Peter · Post by **Peter** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:37 pm

here's the poop...so to speak http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/cvahome.htm

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:17 pm

You have to have the over board valve tied/locked shut or set so it can not be accidentally opened easily . on mine to pump the tank overboard you have to remove the stairs open a valve and pull a switch . they say thats ok . Idon't think a sigh will cut it but a lock on the lid will

Tuck · Post by **Tuck** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 4:31 pm

i'm in the same boat..no pun intended.

i'm either going to have to get a holding tank put in, or a treatment system.

which do you guys prefer?

i'm leaning toward the treatment system, but can't seem to find anything online.

suggestions?

mr elevman · Post by **mr elevman** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:30 pm

i added a 20 gallon holding tank with a deak plate marked waste my marina has a pumpout service

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:36 pm

Tuck a holding tank is legal everywhere . A treatment system like elctra-san treats waste and then it is pumped overboard legal in many areas ,but more and more places are saying no. if you not in salt water you have to add salt to the water or tank . it also takes alot of power to run the system. the few people I know that have them are always working on them.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:01 pm

I would install a holding tank. I boat in the Lake Michigan and no overboard dumping is allowed.

Safari · Post by **Safari** » Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:43 pm

I have used an LectraSan for 10 years (in Jersey) with no more than routine maintenance. When I moved to the Chesapeake, I installed a Purasan (for fresh water), and for the last 2 years have had almost no maintenance. I am in the process of upgrading to the HoldNTreat, which will allow for a 25 gallon holding tank with overboard (legal) discharge when desired. After using one of these, I know I could never go back. Check on the Raritan website for info - also look up Peggy Hall for some great advice on installation.

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:40 am

I posted a link to her a while back. Gives some insight...

http://boatbuilding.com/article.php/Mar ... vsFolklore

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:31 am

I also use an electrasan treatment unit, works great and is coast guard approved and legal in a lot of areas............

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:12 pm

But you will see more and more "no discharge" as time goes on . Sad part is the elcta-san treats waste better then most citys sewage plants .

g36 · Post by **g36** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:15 pm

true about the holding tank being legal everywhere. here where tuck and i are the treatment system is legal and we are a long way from any saltwater....since we are in fresh water the purasan does work well i have it installed on mine and also a y to go to the holding tank if desired.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:14 pm

As Paul stated there are going to be more and more areas that will have "NO DUMP ZONES ". It could make you expensive treatment system obsolete.