Grey water/ Black water tanks questions

[RJM]

I feel like I am making yet another episode of "This Old Hatteras". I've owned the boat since mid-October and I keep learning things...

So, this time at pump-out we finally discovered the source of the starboard list that has been bugging me. There is a "waste" pump-out fixture just aft of the salon cabin door that empties a tank (well, now I know it's a tank) on the hull side of the starboard engine room. The marina pumped out approximately 60 gal of clear-ish slightly soapy water. I am going to say shower water? The old local Hatteras guy immediately said "it's a grey water tank-has this boat ever been sold outside the USA?" I know the history of the boat and both previous owners are local to North Carolina/Florida. So, here's the questions: Was this standard or optional in '73? Next question, is it used like this (fill-pump) or can it be bypassed? I don't readily see a valve but maybe I am looking in the wrong place.

I also have black water tank questions. We discovered that the black water overboard dump valve was about 1/2 open. The first pump-out (about 6 weeks ago) that we did had about 100 gal. Two of us have been staying on the boat part-time. Not knowing the frequency of pump-outs needed, we had the marina do one, but nothing came out. Our old Hatteras guy was looked things over. He said that the tank was pulling air in through the vent valve and that he could hear it in the tank. He discovered the through-hull valve 1/2 open. So, could the level of the tank simply be below the pump-out tube and I shouldn't worry for now? Could the valve 1/2 open allowed liquid from the tank to escape? He also commented that the "joker valves" probably needed rebuilding in the heads. I gather that these are the one-way valves in the heads somewhere.

Any comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[jmooney]

Our boat is 83 61 so things might be different. As to the “gray water “ tank , find the shower sumps near each head and see how they are plumbed after the sump . I would be surprised if all go to a gray water tank . Usually, they go to thru hulls at the boot stripe . As to the black water tank , if the discharge valve is below the water line ,as mine is , it will fill the tank , however I have a onboard pump to pump out the holding tank off shore , which is not factory original. If you are hearing airflow at the vent and nothing is being pumped out, then the dip tube is corroded and needs to be replaced. Replace it with something synthetic, like schedule 80 PVC . I think that your boat came with two holding tanks , I am sure member with a similar boat will chime in . Good luck. If you have original Galley Maid heads you do not have joker valves .

 

[Scarlett]

I have a ‘74 53MY and the tank in the engine room on mine was used for the black water tank, the 100 gallon forward tank had been converted to a fuel tank that we now use for the generator. We removed the engine room tank(a massive job) when we put in the stabilizers and added a new black water tank in the generator room. So I guess the bottom line is you could use that engine room tank for black water if you want. John

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I know of no tanks in the engine room at least on later model 53's. On most there is a 60 gallon waste tank on the stbd side of the GENERATOR room and a 105 gallon tank fwd centerline under the fwd stateroom floor.

The fwd and aft most heads were plumbed into the fwd tank and the mid head went to the tank in the gen room.

 

[Pascal]

The early boats had three smaller holding tank, one per head. I still have the deck fittings amidship (next to the stbd cleat) and aft. Sounds like the soapy water the marina pumped out Came out of that midship holding tanks but I really doubt it was factory plumbed as a grey water tank. Back then nobody cared about grey water.

I don’t think it was 60 USG though.

As to the holding tank, I don’t understand what you mean by “ the tank was pulling air in through the vent valve”

There is no vent valve. You mention a “dump valve” being half open, again not sure what you mean. Typically you will have a sea cock for the overboard discharge pump to dump overboard. But again it depends. Many of the early boats have been modified, pumps have been added. Etc. I ve seen boats with a Y or T to select pump out or overboard pump, some with a valve

Mine has a retrofitted holding tank pump at the bow with a T at the bottom. One branch goes to the deck pump out, one goes to the sealand macerator. No isolation valve. When using the pump out the duckbills in the pump prevent air from being sucked in

You ll probably have to trace the hoses and sea how it s all connected

 

[bigbill]

my 1972 58yf has the tank in the engine room. my owners manual says it is holding tank for the master head, the fwd mid tank in in the v berth hatch is listed as holding tank for mid head and fwd head