Head Pump Out Fitting

Our 8.3 has the holding tank, pump out fitting located in the lower panel of the bow anchor well. This location may or may not be typical of all the 8.3's that have been built. This location, most likely, was chosen for its proximity to the original holding tank that was mounted below the forward V-berth. When we relocated the holding tank to a space below the port cabin settee, we chose to maintain the old location for the pump out fitting.

Holding Tank Pump-out Connection

This location results in a rather annoying process for completing a pump out.

First; The attendant has to remove the cap from the fitting, find the correct adapter and screw it into the fitting.
Second: He has to make the connection to the adapter. This is difficult, due to bulk of the pump out hardware and the depth and limited size of the anchor well.

We experienced the difficulty with this process when we berthed at Harbor Club North when we could use the pump out system that was provided at no extra cost. Sometimes the adapter would be mislaid. When is was available, we still had to contend with bulkiness of the pump fitting and finding the correct position for it deep in the anchor well.

After considerable thought, we decided to create an extended fitting to fit into the pump out fitting that was tall enough to keep the pump fitting and hoses above the level of the deck.

This is a photo of the assembled adapter, along with a plastic cap that we keep on when we store the unit in the anchor well.

Pump-out Adapter and Storage Cap

 The adapter assembly consists of a short length of threaded plastic pipe, sized to fit the boat pump-out fitting. The top part is a standard adapter to mate with pump-out hardware. A PVC coupling makes the connection between the pipe and the fitting.

This photo shows the adapter installed in the anchor well, ready to make the connection with the pump-out hardware.

Pump-out Adapter Installed

Finally, the photo with the adapter connected to the pump-out hardware, ready for action.

This project took a little thought and, a few pieces of plastic and a few dollars. It saves frustration of not having the proper equipment and the struggle to get the hardware connected in a confined space. It makes the set up easy and quick.

Lessons Learned:

1. It pays to have proper equipment for the job. especially when it is a distasteful  one.

2. Solutions to problems don't have to be complex or costly.

3. Often, standard parts are readily available.