How Does Our Boat's VacuFlush Toilet System Work?
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2025
- What happens to the Poop on our boats after the toilet has been flushed? Lots of 💩details in this video to let you know how the Vacuflush system works on our boat.
Here's my playlist fro all of the boat toilet/Vacuflush system repairs and upgrades I've done on our boats, including complete replacement of the poop holding tanks aboard our Sea Ray 330 Sundancer, as well as the 400 Sedan Bridge.
We purchased our lovely Sea Ray 370 Sundancer Sight Unseen! To see our entire journey, please check out my 'Buying A Boat - The Good, Bad & Ugly' playlist here: • Buying A Boat - Sea Ra...
Produced January, 2025.
Please remember to SUBSCRIBE to my Channel ( / boatingwithboogaboo ) for hundreds of original boating videos and to follow our latest boating adventures.
For a look at nearly 100 DIY boat repairs videos, check out my 'How I Did It - Boat Repairs and Upgrades' playlist; • How I Did It - Boat Re...
-------------------------------------*****------------------------------------
*** Like this video and wish to support the channel? You can make a one time or recurring PayPal donation here: www.paypal.com...
-------------------------------------*****------------------------------------
Current Boat Specs;
Model: 1998 Sea Ray 370 Sundancer
Length (bow to transom): 37-6", LOA (with factory swim platform): 40'-1"
Beam: 12'-7"
Dry Weight: 17,000 lbs
Fully Loaded Weight: Boat + Fuel (1,664) + Water (580) + Gear (1,250 +/-) = 20,500 LBS
Fuel Capacity: 275 U.S. gallons, 1,040 litres
Draft: 32”
Dead Rise: 20 degrees
Engines: 2 x 7.4 litre Mercruiser Bluewater, Multi-Port fuel injection, gasoline, raw water cooled, rated at 310 HP
Transmissions: 2 x Borg Warner Velvet Drives, in Vee-Drive configuration
Generator: Westerbeke 7.2 Kw BCGTC @ 60 Hz, gasoline powered & carburated, 3,600 RPM continuous engine speed
18,000 (total) BTU (12 + 6), reverse cycle heating/air conditioning
Shore Power: 2 x 30 Amp, 120 V connections
Freshwater Holding Tank: Single 70 U.S. Gallon tank
Waste (black-water) Holding Tank: Single 40 U.S. Gallon
Video/Photo Equipment Used (Updated list, 2024);
DJI Pocket 2; amzn.to/4aTN6vO
GoPro Hero 7 Black; amzn.to/4b9VG9k
GoPro suction cup mount; amzn.to/49Zo8cW
DJI Mavic Mini 3 for Aerial Drone Shots; amzn.to/4b9DoF6
Mavic Mini Carrying Case; amzn.to/49WDTkQ
Google Pixel 6 Pro + iPhone 12 for still photos + supplemental video
Editing done with Vegas Movie Studio 11
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Happy Boating :-)
I honestly never ran into a pumpout that would actually have to much suction! Like you, if we were near a pumpout, we took the time to stop and do it. Here in the Okanagan, you do the work yourself hooking the hose to the boat. Oh, and we always used gloves!
@@markburley4901 that part of the video made me google the issue. There’s quite a bit to it including blocked vents, procedure to pump out, and a relief valve that not everyone has depending on age. It’s not necessarily due to an overly powerful pump out rig.
@@Harrybollox Yes, the pumpout vacuum sucked the charcoal out of the filter canister (likely overdue to change} that then plugged the vent hose. At that point, the suction collapsed the tank. My service crew used the Boogaboo video as a reference to secure parts and replace my tank.
Gloves? After 30+++ years of renovations+++ too many boat toilet/VacuFlush/holding tank/waste lines replacement on our boats since 1998, using them at this point is gonna be too late for me. That's where copious amounts of cleaners, paper towels and single use cloths come into play 🤣
My best guess is clogged vents or vent lines. As I responded to another comment, I discovered a completely blocked off vent line waaaaaaay long ago on our 268 Sundancer. That was caused by a mud nest built by an insect (hornet??), just inside of the stainless vent cap where the line exited the hull. Oh, and that was the FIRST 💩 holding tank project I did on one of our boats.
And no, no gloves were worn on that job either 😂
Possibly, but another cause might can come from an overflowing holding tank, which would immediately plug the vent filter. Yup, that happened to us the first week we owned Boogaboo IV, which was the first boat we had that was equipped with a VacuFlush system (X 2 on that 400 Sedan Bridge). As I discovered, the first pump-out we did on that boat was far from complete, resulting in the tank overflowing shortly after.
The things we learn from our boating adventures! 😅
I just ordered four new duck bills, there’s eight in the boat with the two heads. Had to take out a mortgage for four tiny bits of rubber , but not going to risk the non oem stuff
After changing all the duck bills on Boogaboo with the OEM Dometic ones and having some fail within the season, I ordered some off-brand ones for next time. For the cost savings - and too much experience in changing those 💩 things, if worse comes to worse, at least I can swap them quickly if they do t last 😉
@ I’ll be interested to learn from how you go with those non oem valves , I would love to not have to spend so much next time, but still wish for your sake you don’t have to replace any in the near future 😀
Ours is manual pump flush. that said it requires maintenance as well. we use it as its intended. Kinda hard to go anywhere else if you don't touch land for 2-3 days lol. And the fun of pump outs hehe.
Do you use any chemicals to reduce smell?
I think the previous owner of our boat had an issue with a tank collapse. because the new tank installed the year before we bought it has two completely separate vents. instead of the stock one. so far no issues.
We don't use any chemicals in the tank. We did have a problem with stink on our 400 Sedan Bridge, but ultimately tracked that down to smell leaching through the drain lines. I believe I have a video (including me removing the galley fridge on our holidays to try to source the stink) on us changing all the drain lines for BOTH washrooms on that boat. Another huge job, but worth the effort.
I found a clogged vent on our previous 268 Sundancer which was a as a result of an insect building a mud nest in the line. Glad I found it when I did, as that was during my (first of three) installation of a holding tank on that boat.
When will my 💩tank issues ever end? 😂
Is there any routine maintenance that needs to be done to a Vacuflush or do you just wait for a problem to develop?
No routine maintenance on the system. Everything will work until it doesn't. And the best part is that one of the components (duck bill valves, toilet seal, tank vent) will always crap out (pun intended) either as soon as I get to the boat on a Friday afternoon, or if I'm really lucky, on the hottest day of our summer holidays 🤣💩
@@BoatingWithBoogaboo that's kind of what I was thinking. No problems so far on my 1990 Searay 390 EC so I'll just enjoy while it lasts! :). Thanx for the reply!
How long can you go between pump outs with two people on board?
With us continuously being in the boat, we're good for 8-10 days on average. Of course, I learned long ago that if there's an opportunity for a pump-out, we'll take it, as we do t want to get stuck without those facilities when really needed - a situation we've encountered more than once over the years.
Hi Paul. I’m thinking of moving my 38’ Chris Craft to the Orillia area from Oakville. Any suggestions what marina I might try to see if they have a slip available? How do you like where you moved to. I may be working in Bracebridge.
Thanks
Darrell
I've been thinking about doing a video on this subject as I'm often asked this question. My recommendation would be to visit any of the marinas you might be considering and talking to the boaters who are already there. That'll give you a true measure of place before committing to it.
FYI, there's six marinas in the greater Orillia area that could accommodate a boat your size.
Happy shopping!
STRAIGHT INTO THE LAKE..jk.....Only when it hit the macerator 2 miles offshore LOL
No sewage discharge allowable on any freshwater lake in Canada. In fact, macerators and Y valves aren't legal and must be made unusable even for vessels just passing through, such as Loopers.
I have PTSD in watching this.We still have a pretty strong smell and we've done everything we can think of besides removing the hoses, but we don't think that's the problem.
If you've done everything else, then it's the hoses. Or, the actual holding tank.
Yup, after a few years, the 💩 Snell will actually permeate through the hoses and even the holding tank to cause grief. I don't want to add to your stress level, but here's a fun video I did a number of years ago (hence the seemingly increased level of hair on my square head), changing the toilet line in our (then) 400 Sedan Bridge boat. Funest part was that boat had TWO heads, so the entire project was actually more than twice the effort.
Again, don't mean to stress you, but a fair way of confirming the source of the smell from the 💩 line(s) is to wet a cloth with warm water, wrap it around the suspected hose, let sit for 10-15 minutes, remove (the rag) and smell it. If it's 💩 smelling, that line needs to be replaced.
Sorry, but welcome to the ever increasingly fun world of boating 😂
I'll look forward to watching your toilet line replacement video 😉
Here's my video; ruclips.net/video/rkjAhhQlvhc/видео.html
Hate vacuflush toilets. It has a mind of its own. Lol
They can be a pain, but I like having it on our boat. Don't like having to replace duckbill valves, but a small price to pay.
Ever thought of swapping out with a manual flush toilet?
@BoatingWithBoogaboo we have a 2000 38' searay, I don't think there would be anywhere to put the tank underneath toilet.