SOS SaniPottie Retail Help!!!

[Catigale]

I think you guys should make a donation of some "fair value" to Heaths Board if you do this.. Please consider

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

If you have the porta pottie tank loose off the boat you should never use a suction pump out hose on it, it is not made for this. You can only use these when it is plumbed in as a permanent MSD head and it has the vent line also hooked up.

When loose you need to dump it using the pour spout. Most pump out stations up here have a porta pottie dump receptacle next to the pump out. Sometimes they are hard plumbed in and sometimes you attach the pump out hose to a valve at the bottom of the dump receptacle. Either way you should not try and use suction directly to empty a loose tank. If the do not have a dump receptacle find a toilet in a restroom and dump it in there. Flush first and then quickly start the dump as the water in the bowl is draining, this will reduce and splattering. The Dometic vent button (Something the Sealand doesn't have) also helps greatly in reducing any splashing mess.

I've often considered plumbing mine in as they have all had the needed fittings, but then you're stuck when you bring the boat home. I've decided it's more versatile to just stay un-plumbed and dump it normally. We have been in situations where were at anchor in front of a park and needed to empty the tank. It was easy to put the tank in the dinghy and take it to a restroom on shore. One time up in Canada (where they still allow overboard discharge in open water) we were in a bind and were able to empty it over the side. You can't do this once you plumb things in to the deck fittings.

[SkiDeep2001]

One time up in Canada (where they still allow overboard discharge in open water) we were in a bind and were able to empty it over the side.

Maybe there should be a flag/pennant to fly when doing the above operation. Stand Off, I'm Dumping Kind of like a swimmer/diver in the water flag. Rob

[Doug91mac26s]

Where there is a will, there is a way! I really like versatility. I've thought about the point you're making Duane, with respect to being able to dump the holding tank manually, in addition to having deck pumpout capability. I think there may be a way to easily remove the hoses, put caps on and carry off the boat if needed. Both the larger discharge and vent hose connections are on top of the tank. Shouldn't be any reason the hoses can't be removed, if on that rare occasion I'll need to take the holding tank off the boat. In fact, I think this is a very positive plus to using these portapotties as apposed to a permanently installed holding tank.

Side note: When I pumped out my tank on the dock with the suction hose, it fit perfectly into the opening once I removed the cap. The opening is exactly the same diameter as the deck pumpout fitting, as if designed that way. My only problem was that I forgot to open the vent.

[Rick Westlake]

One time up in Canada (where they still allow overboard discharge in open water) we were in a bind and were able to empty it over the side.

Maybe there should be a flag/pennant to fly when doing the above operation. Stand Off, I'm Dumping Kind of like a swimmer/diver in the water flag. Rob

Maybe the yellow "Q" flag above the red swallowtail "B" flag -

"Q" means "My vessel is healthy" but the color could be used to explain the "B".
"B" means "I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous goods" which certainly fits an overboard discharge like that.

Or you could fly the red "B" flag over the blue-with-white-X "M" flag ... "B.M."

[Theo]

Hi Guys,

Man I seem to have opened a can of ...worms! Thank all of you so much for all your input and help. Just to let you know I found a Sealand SaniPottie 966. I found it online at an RV parts store out in Azusa. Picked it up this afternoon. 2 and 1/2 hour round trip drive though.

I think a lot of good points were raised here since I suspect this particular pottie is being phased out. I will try to post more on that later, but I gotta run now since I am plotting my weekend trip to Catalina.

Thanks

Theo

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The Dometic I have, the 975 MSD, is even easier to change from plumbed in to portable than the old Sealand design you posted a picture of.



http://www.sealandtechnology.com/produc ... asp?pid=94

To plumb it in you simply unscrew the pivoting dump tube (#6 in the PDF linked below) and screw on the MSD fitting (#12). The fitting connects to both the large pump out line and the vent line in a single unit. However I suspect you might get a bit of a mess swapping the fittings with a full tank due to the plastic baffle on the MSD fitting that protrudes down into the tank. You would also need enough of a service loop in the tubing to lift the MSD fitting clear of the tank.

http://www.sealandtechnology.com/pdf/60 ... iagram.pdf

[Catigale]

Hey Theo - just for laughs....2 1/2 hours at 60 mph is 150 miles...about 75 USD at the current IRS mileage rate...how much did you save

[Doug91mac26s]

I looked closely at the 975 MSD at West Marine, and also read as many reviews I could find. There were more than a few reports of the shaft connected to the flush handle breaking off. While looking at one at WM I confirmed the shaft is plastic, and can flex quite a bit, looked easy to break. This was in June of this year, I don't know if they have changed the design or not, but that was a concern I had.

My boat came with an old style Dometic SanniPottie 2.5 gal, not MSD, could have been original to the boat, which is a 91'. It still is in perfect working condition, no signs of wear, though the color of the plastic of the lid has changed over the years, otherwise perfect. These units have a stainless steel shaft that connects the handle to the dump valve, which is of the same type found on travel trailers, motorhomes, as well as the ballast tank valves on the 26X's and M's.

I really wanted to get a 975, the pressurizing feature sounds intersting, and the syling is nice. But I decided to go with what I have learned first hand to be a reliable design. The pump out connections are merely PVC parts, which I hope I'll be able to come up with easy connect/disconnect parts from Home Depot, but really, not a high priority for me. My goal is to get deck pump out capability.

I haven't heard anything about possible discontinuance of the 965 model. I know it's been around for many years. It's made of the same type of plastic milk jugs are made of, as they say; "Durable design. High-density polyethylene construction provides strength and toughness; drop it, stand on it – this unit can take it!"

I hope Dometic has improved the valve assembly of the 975's, otherwise handle it gingerly.

[Catigale]

Just for completeness that 975 head retails at WM for 479 USD, and has a 9.5 US gallon holding capacity (and a real china bowl)

When my Enron stock comes back, that would be a nice cruising addition for me - 2 people with 10 gallons holding is probably good for 2-3 weeks if used carefully

[Doug91mac26s]

Whoa! I think you got your wires crossed Catigale! You must be looking at something different.

It's $169.99 at WM

Check this link
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... &langId=-1

[Catigale]

I think the Dometic 975 is 475 USD and the Sealand 975 is 169 USD...they are two different products in both function and materials though.

[Doug91mac26s]

Dometic, Sealand 975, same thing.

[Doug91mac26s]

Could this be the unit you are thinking about?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=11081

In case someone is reading this thread, and are trying to decide upon which unit to purchase, I don't want them to believe the 975 costs that much.

[Catigale]

Doug - my brain f@rt ...you are right.

I crossed the links up of course.