Water fill and pump out

[Seif911]

Good Morning All,
So I know there is a gas tank full on the stern that definitely goes to the gas tank. I seen another fill to the port side. Would that be the water fill? Is the holding tank pump out location on the starboard side? How does that work? Do I have a pump on board that pumps it out or does the dump site have a sucking pump? It almost looks like the whole holding tanks is under the toilet. Where does the shower water go then? Is there another tank for that? Does anything get pumped out of the boat to the lake? I just don't want to accidentally do something dumb
Thanks,
Steve

[waybomb]

Before I pour water into the other fill, I would verify the hose runs to the fresh water tank. But if you have 1 gas tank, then it is most likely the water fill.

Pump out - like a big vacuum cleaner. It can get messy. Have towels ready your first few times. And a water hose. Or just pay the marina to do it.

The shower - generally has a small open sump tank with a pump that pumps the brown water overboard.


Shower note - I've had a 28, a 36, and a 42 Carver. I only used the shower a total of 1 time on the first Carver. After that, I always used the Marina's facilities. It really is a pain to use the shower on one of our boats. Now if I had a 100 footer, I may have different sentiments.

[CYO Admin]

While I don't know your specific boat, lets start with some basics.

The holding tank, if it exists, can be pumped overboard via a macerator pump BUT NOT WHERE YOU BOAT. If you have a macerator and Y valve for diverting waste overboard, be sure to close that valve and lock it in some fashion. The fines for pumping waste overboad are quite stiff.

The holding tank has a vent line attached to allow air to enter or exit the tank and waste goes in and out. Locate your vent line and ensure that it's clear. (this goes for water and fuel tanks as well).

Marine pump out stations do what the name implies, they "pump" the waste out. Remove the waste deck fitting, push the pump out hose into the opening, and waste gets pumped out.

Your shower, and other grey water sources, are either diverted to a sump box and pumped out from there via bilge pump, drain directly overboard, or are dumped in the bilge and pumped out by you bilge pump (or a combination of the three). You need to grab a flash light and start poking around to see how the boats plumbed. As far as I know, pumping grey water directly overboard is legal just about every where... for now!

Grey water = Showers, sinks, AC condensation, etc.
Black water = Human waste
Potable water = Fresh water supply

[Seif911]

I think I get it. I have had 4 rv's so I am somewhat familiar. So if the grey is pumped out, do you need to use special soap for dishes or for the shower so you are 'Earth' friendly? Like you said, I plan on using the marina shower's but just good to know info.
Thanks,
Steve

[waybomb]

If I should have been using earth friendly anything, I'm in trouble.

[AaHubb]

As Admin said get a flashlight and start looking in every nook and cranny. That's the only way to really get to know your boats systems. As to the earth friendly soaps, yes you should use them .. but few do.

[Seif911]

So up here is Wisconsin, we have to winterized the tanks with pink antifreeze. If there is no Grey water tank, are we suppose to pump the pink antifreeze from the water tank over the side of the boat with the bilge pump?

[waybomb]

Yup. Same thing with your engines - when you start them up in the spring, all the winterizing antifreeze goes overboard. It's safe to do, and made for doing this.