Holding Tank Pumpout No-Go

[CaspersCruiser]

Boy, on my initial multi-day cruise it’s been one damn thing after another. Tried to pump out this afternoon and nothing would come out. Tried sending water from the the deck pumpout fitting down the hose leading to the holding tank and the hose quickly filled with water and overflowed out the deck fitting. To me, that indicates some sort of blockage. This is my first boat with a holding tank. How do I proceed to unblock this thing (if that’s the problem)?

 

[Pilotnavigator]

If your boat has a y valve it may be set to discharge overboard with the macerator pump?

 

[Brian B]

Yes turn the Y valve the opposite way and try again. That would be the closed position and zip tie it shut in that position to prevent accidental overboard discharge.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Thanks. The Y-Valve was it. I put it in the overboard position during winterizing to pump antifreeze through it and obviously didn’t reposition it afterwards. This forum is a wealth of experience and knowledge. I just gained both!

 

[CaspersCruiser]

A Tugnuts member replied via private message about my holding tank Y-valve inadvertently being in the “overboard” position while on the water. He very kindly told me I would have been subject to some hefty fines if I had been stopped and boarded by USCG or law enforcement and they had found the Y-valve in that position. Nothing had been pumped overboard. It was ignorance on my part, plain and simple, but that is no defense in the eyes of the law.

This is my first boat with a holding tank and Y-valve. The Y-valve was left in the “overboard” position from when I winterized the boat and pumped anti-freeze through that part of the system. I simply did not return the valve to the proper position. Lesson learned.

I’m posting about this because I’m sure I’m not the first person to make this mistake and I won’t be the last. If readers take anything away from this discussion, before going on the water after winterizing, put that Y-valve in the “Holding Tank” position and secure it with a padlock or zip tie.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

also note its not just about having the macerator/pump out valve in the right position - it needs to be locked in position. I understand that an acceptable means is a zip tie as that requires a "tool" to undo.