Blackwater pumpout question

[KyleR]

As we're preparing to cross to the Bahamas in a month or so, I have heard some real crazy stories of people paying as much as $135 for a blackwater tank pumpout - and on boats with smaller holding tanks than ours! It seems pumpout locations have become few-and-far-between, and quite expensive if you're in some areas.

Unfortunately we do not have the installed option to pump directly overboard and I don't really have the time to add an overboard discharge system in the time frame I'm working with.

As such, I started looking around and ran across the following:

https://www.blackwaterbazooka.com/

Seems like an interesting concept in that you can just connect it to your pumpout fitting, drop the discharge hose overboard, hookup electricity and start pumping. (Yes, I'm aware of the 3-mile rule and no discharge zones - this based on the assumption that I'm in an area where overboard discharge is allowed.)

Anyone ever use anything like this or have any other suggestions? My initial concerns are:

1. The discharge hose looks a little small in this particular design, however the pump does macerate so maybe that's not a big deal?

2. It says the pump generates 5ft of suction head, but with the blackwater tanks in the bilge and the pumpout connection on the topside deck, I'm not sure if this will generate the lift necessary to adequately pump out the tank. Thoughts?

If anyone has any other suggestions I'm all ears! Thanks in advance!!

Kyle

[waybomb]

All I can add is that this is going to be a messy deal. How will you clean it before stowing it?

[Midnightsun]

Seems to be designed for boats out of water more than anything else. If you are handy, a macerator pump, a Y valve, a few feet of hose, some clamps and a thru-hull fitting is not that complicated to install and I am sure it would cost much less than that odd device.

Looks like the fresh water hook up does the cleaning. I would think the investment would barely pay for itself if this is only going to be used for the Bahamas trip.

[KyleR]

Thanks for the feedback. The permanently installed/thru-hull option is definitely preferred (and well within my abilities) but a haulout is not on my radar until much later this year - after our trip to the Bahamas. I'm not a fan of drilling holes near the waterline while in the water.

I would probably build my own knock-off version. Thinking of using a Whale Urchin manual pump and assorted fittings. Probably under $150 all in. Definitely has its pitfalls but would give some flexibility if we couldn't find a reasonably priced pumpout spot.

[paulr]

I know your boat very well. If the lift of the pump is 5 feet I very much doubt if the waste will will make up to the deck plate as it is probably 7 feet on both waste tanks. I have a hard enough time pumping out the 396 Carver at the pump out station which has significant vacuum.

[KyleR]

I have a hard enough time pumping out the 396 Carver at the pump out station which has significant vacuum.

Thanks Paul. I had similar experiences early on so I checked the blackwater tank vent filters and found them completely blocked. Both filters! I removed them and hooked up my shopvac and nothing was passing through them!!

After much research I came to the conclusion that a properly maintained system with proper regular treatment did not need an exhaust filter - so off they came.

Pumpouts became much easier and faster. Obviously you will still run across systems with poor suction, but overall this made a huge improvement in our pumpouts. And no smell!!

[bud37]

Just to add, especially when you have a vacu flush waste system. That 1.5" hose with perhaps 20" of vacuum will move a lot of air, the only way to replace that is thru the 5/8"vent lines in the older system vacuflush, or if you have a tank saver then it will pass air to keep the waste tank from being damaged. As Kyler said those vents need to be clear. I like the newer systems with the much larger I think 1.5" vent lines, tanks breathe better like that.

[Midnightsun]

Source of the post I like the newer systems with the much larger I think 1.5" vent lines, tanks breathe better like that.

We have this on our Carver. Vent lines are the same size as the rest of the lines at 1 1/2" ID. They also installed tank savers which makes the system pretty much safe no matter what you do. All of this is factory, no mods done by me.

[KyleR]

We have this on our Carver. Vent lines are the same size as the rest of the lines at 1 1/2" ID. They also installed tank savers which makes the system pretty much safe no matter what you do. All of this is factory, no mods done by me.

Same on our 2002 396....

[bud37]

Hans and Kyle....I consider your boats as newer...

More of a comment for folk that have older systems or have retrofits with small vent line sizes who may be encountering issues. I believe Kyler's post helped bring that to light.