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Hi guys, I've been V278 owner for a few months now and have a question about toilet waist disposal. She came fitted with vacu flush and the idea in Asia is to dump (no pun intended) it overboard to empty out the holding tank (not may well kitted marinas out here). Toilet use had been kept to a minimal until NYE when we had 8ppl on board for about 8hrs (watching firework). Anyway the holding tank meter is showing that it's next to empty (1 light out of 6 on) and when a I push the overboard discharge button I can hear something happening but can't see or smell anything being 'squirted' overboard.

Any ideas where the waist should be expelled from? On the rt with the rear bildge?
How big is the tank?
Does the engine have to be running?

Thanks

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Oliver
'06 V278
Singapore

Oliver:

Can't speak of the local laws where you are, but overboard discharge here is watched closely. 12 or 20 miles off shore I believe is the rule her. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. As for hitting the overboard discharge and hearing something but nothing pumping out. It's probably not a good idea to do this without the discharge valve being open. On my 268 there is a ball valve ( sea cock ) labled head discharge. It is forward of the fuel tank, a little off center line and goes directly through the bottom of the vessel. Keep this closed except when you need to use it. Especially while underway.

Here in the US it better be closed and wire tied in the closed position or secured some other way. If you get inspected and it is not closed and secured I think you can be fined.

9BALL

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2005 V268

The macerator pumps out under the boat. No one wants to see the holding tank pumping out overboard. As stated you need to make sure the valve is open towards the macerator and that the seacock is open for discharge flow..... Happy pumping!!

Depending on how much is in there you might just be working the pump dry which is not good.... You should have atleast 2-3 lights on before you pump overboard just to make sure. The senders have a tendency to be inaccurate on the waste side

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Bryan Mutter

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Great thanks for the responses. It turns out the the sea cock has been open so I have been emtying the tank when at sea holding down the switch.

Is it safe leaving both the generator and discharge sea cock in the open position? Its been in that position since Ive taken delivery 3 motnhs ago and the boat stays on the water 24/7...

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Oliver
'06 V278
Singapore

Obviously a seacock has to be open in order to use it's function. But if you're not going to be using that function on a regular basis then it's a good idea to keep it closed. The primary reason for sinking at the dock is failed hoses. When you leave a seacock open you're putting all your trust in the hose and it's fittings. Not always a good idea.

Also, you should regularly operate ALL seacocks in the vessel. Close and reopen them to make sure they function properly and smoothly. If you leave them in only one position forever there's the chance they will seize up. This would be bad if a hose suddenly started leaking and you were there in time to close the valve.

Bear in mind that if a seacock isn't operating smoothly it's a VERY BAD IDEA to try forcing it. You don't want to have the thing BREAK off. This would be an even bigger disaster. This is why you want to operate them regularly to make sure they in good working order. When you have one that won't operate then you really want to have the boat OUT OF THE WATER while you find out what's wrong with the valve.

While it may be "customary" in your area to just dump the waste overboard, that's just nasty. In places where there truly isn't any place to pump out then at least have the courtesy to not dump when at the docks. Take the boat out for a run and stop somewhere that has a good amount of current flow. Stop the boat in that place and then dump it. DO NOT operate the macerator while you're underway. The pressure of the moving water might be too much for it and cause problems.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista