How to pump the Holding Tank On a Sailboat?

Question

I have a Hunter 30 and am having issues pumping the holding tank overboard. Any ideas? The seacock is open and the Y valve is turned to the appropriate direction. (I Think)

Answer 1

If you are talking about a septic tank you would use a mud or diaphram pump. if water, a regular pump.

Answer 2

Do you hear the sound of the pump starting up?  If not, it may be trouble with a breaker.  It could be turned off on your electrical panel.  I know this may sound like a silly question, but are you sure the tank is not already empty?  My husband once went aboard someone's boat to help with just such an issue and it turned out that the tank really was empty but they didn't realize it.  You must be at a location where there are other boaters or cruisers?  I would ask for help from one of them, especially the cruisers.  Many of them know how to deal with all kinds of issues like this that come up as a regular part of daily life aboard.  Best of luck with it.

Answer 3

Don't think you are supposed to pump the holding tank overboard!  You can pump direct from the head to overboard (not where prohibited of course) but if your holding tank is full you will need to go to a pump out station and pump it out that way.

where rubber gloves - do not want to get hepatitis or any other disease.

Answer 4

Whatever you do, don't start siphon with yer mouth..........

Answer 5

Be sure your vent is clear,  you need to get air in to replace the waste.

Answer 6

Im sure you checked the breaker panel, and you do indeed have a macerator pump onboard for this duty.

Very few boats have a gravity flow system, and none that I know of.

check that your pump works.  (off shore or at the marine pump out station).  if it doesnt you'll need to first get it pumped out, then you need tofix the pump.

I strongly recommend vacuflush as they take 1/3 the amount of water/sewage per flush as regular.

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