02-26-2013, 10:52 AM
My first question is what year and model Tiara do you own?
Most Holding tank systems have a few components that you need to deal with when emptying the tank. If your vessel has a Y-Valve (I bet it does), then you need to make sure it is in the correct position (either overboard discharge or to the deck pumpout fitting). If the valve is in the wrong position and you try to empty the tank, you can actually invert the one way duck valves and then the system needs to be dissasembled in order to repair the system (not a pleasant job!). The other item is the overboard discharge thru-hull valve needs to be open in order discharge the tank overboard.
1) Overboard Discharge (pumping into the ocean) w/ Y-Vavle - first turn the Y-Valve to (from tank to overboard discharge), then open the overboard thru-hull waste valve. Make sure you are the designated distance from shore and the boat is safely in forward at idle (make sure someone is at the wheel). Turn on the Waste Macerator switch. It should not take more than 3 - 5 minutes to empty the tank. When you are done, shut off the macerator switch, turn the Y-Valve back to (from tank to deck pumpout) and then shut the Overboard Thru-hull (make sure to secure the handle closed with a tie-wrap or cable lock so you are Coast Guard legal). Add waste tank chemicals to each toilet and flush - Done!
2) Station pump out with Y-Valve - first make sure the Y-Vavle is in the correct position (from tank to deck pumpout). Open the deck fitting cap and place the pumpout hose firmly in the fitting and then open the valve. It should take 3 to 5 minutes to empty the tank. I then fill the waste tank with water (do not use a drinking water hose to do this or you can contaminate it!). Then pump the tank empty again. Add waste tank chemicals to each toilet and flush. Done!
If you overflow the tank and it seems you have, you will likely have to replace the charcoal vent filter. Once this filter gets wet with waste it will no longer work and your boat will be in a continuos cloud of stink.
If you did try and pump overboard with the valves in the wrong position and you did invert the duck bill valves, you will have to have them taken apart and repaired. If you do not know exactly what you are doing, I would hire this out. Warning, it is not going to be cheap. This is essentially a hazardous clean up situation that requires special suits and respirators.
Do not try and flush the toilet once the tank is full. If you overpressurize the plastic tank, it is possible to rupture it. If that happens, you will have more of a mess than you can imagine and the repair bills will be extremely high.
Hopefully you just had the valves in the wrong position and you did not do any damage to duck bill valves. Good Luck!
Most Holding tank systems have a few components that you need to deal with when emptying the tank. If your vessel has a Y-Valve (I bet it does), then you need to make sure it is in the correct position (either overboard discharge or to the deck pumpout fitting). If the valve is in the wrong position and you try to empty the tank, you can actually invert the one way duck valves and then the system needs to be dissasembled in order to repair the system (not a pleasant job!). The other item is the overboard discharge thru-hull valve needs to be open in order discharge the tank overboard.
1) Overboard Discharge (pumping into the ocean) w/ Y-Vavle - first turn the Y-Valve to (from tank to overboard discharge), then open the overboard thru-hull waste valve. Make sure you are the designated distance from shore and the boat is safely in forward at idle (make sure someone is at the wheel). Turn on the Waste Macerator switch. It should not take more than 3 - 5 minutes to empty the tank. When you are done, shut off the macerator switch, turn the Y-Valve back to (from tank to deck pumpout) and then shut the Overboard Thru-hull (make sure to secure the handle closed with a tie-wrap or cable lock so you are Coast Guard legal). Add waste tank chemicals to each toilet and flush - Done!
2) Station pump out with Y-Valve - first make sure the Y-Vavle is in the correct position (from tank to deck pumpout). Open the deck fitting cap and place the pumpout hose firmly in the fitting and then open the valve. It should take 3 to 5 minutes to empty the tank. I then fill the waste tank with water (do not use a drinking water hose to do this or you can contaminate it!). Then pump the tank empty again. Add waste tank chemicals to each toilet and flush. Done!
If you overflow the tank and it seems you have, you will likely have to replace the charcoal vent filter. Once this filter gets wet with waste it will no longer work and your boat will be in a continuos cloud of stink.
If you did try and pump overboard with the valves in the wrong position and you did invert the duck bill valves, you will have to have them taken apart and repaired. If you do not know exactly what you are doing, I would hire this out. Warning, it is not going to be cheap. This is essentially a hazardous clean up situation that requires special suits and respirators.
Do not try and flush the toilet once the tank is full. If you overpressurize the plastic tank, it is possible to rupture it. If that happens, you will have more of a mess than you can imagine and the repair bills will be extremely high.
Hopefully you just had the valves in the wrong position and you did not do any damage to duck bill valves. Good Luck!
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