www.iFourWinns.com

I have one of these helpful items on my funship, but have yet to actually read the manual on it or use it. Not actually excited about having to empty it.

It is the all-in-one variety...are there any recommendations like, DO NOT USE, or clean it out every hour or what??

_________________
2005 Funship 214 5.0GXi/DP | 2006 Yamaha FJR1300

We had one in our Sundowner. If you don't have the pump out option I'd recommend just toting it into the house and empty it in the toilet. That's what we always did.

Can't see the reason to have a little one plumbed in. I wouldn't want pay a pump out fee to pump 2 gals of waste.

_________________
Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

It looks like it is the kind that the bottom half pops off with that white lever so that you end up with a "suitcase".

We had a rule on our Sundowner; you use the toilet, you empty the toilet.

Still, it comes in handy in an emergency.

I agree with John, no use in plumbing one of those to a pump-out fitting.

_________________
1999 Vista 268

Al, that "option" to have one of those attached to a pump-out port I could never understand. It was about a $200 option on my Sundowner. I was asked when we were buying, looked at the pot and just about soiled my pants laughing so hard!

_________________
Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Hey now. We opted for the pumpout and wouldn't want it any other way. With 3 young kids we consider it a must. Maybe it depends on how available a pumpout facility is? They're readily available everywhere we boat, and never cost more than $10 - an amount I'm very happy to pay to not have to mess with it. On the lake we boat most often, the pumpout is a do-it-yourself, no charge, and is the newest, nicest facility of any we've used.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I agree with Mike. My Porta potty is plumbed up for pump out and it sure saves me a lot of aggravation not having to carry it and dump it. My marina gives free pumpout for seasonal docking users. I can't imagine carrying the tank up to the washrooms to dump. If you don't leave your boat in the water I guess it might not be worth the money.

I have to say, in defense of the pump out model, its worth every cent.

(although ours was free- dealer stuffed up. We also got a bravo1 instead of alpha ! ). I still remember the early days when we took one camping. I thought that the chemicals inside would neautrilize everything 'inside', so i left it alone for a month or so after our camping trip. DONT DO THAT.

Here in Australia, most large marinas have free pump out facilities provided by the govt. The kids fight over who gets to help. Now, whenever we pass a pump out, its a quick detour to empty it, even if its only been used once...

_________________

By us, it seems everytime I go to use the pump out it's broken. Pumping out the 2- 3 gals in a porta-potty seems like more trouble than it's worth. I just used the tote method. It was just another chore in the cleanup process.

_________________
Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

I agree John. we had a PP on our 20ft. cuddy. It was easier just to dump a couple of gallons manually, than take the time at a pump out. It really depends on how often it gets used. It was used mostly for emergencies on our boat, same with our current boat, although that is a pump out only head.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I'm in the "pro-pump-out" camp. Although, its about 3 gallons that's a lot of pee to carry around. And quite frankly, seems pretty nasty to me. Mine only gets used when the water is too cold to get in or if we're not in swimming attire. So, at the end of the weekend a quick stop at the pump out and its all taken care of. Most places don't even charge me when I tell them its just a few gallons.

_________________
Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

I will say, however, that I never thought of extending the library to the boat's head, as shown in the OP's pic...

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

hey...that's not my picture. It came right off the four winns website, honest.
it did make me laugh tho...

_________________
2005 Funship 214 5.0GXi/DP | 2006 Yamaha FJR1300

i have the pump out head and with 3 kids, it works out great. i use an old shop vac to pump it out with at home and dump the waste into the septic. doesnt work well for number 2, thats the only down side.

_________________
2001 four winns 215 sundowner