Head

P

pressure23

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Hi, not new to boating, but I never had a head. I now have a 2017 257 fisherman with a head and holding tank and macerator and I'm clueless. What's the story? Do you put water in top tank for the flush? Do you press macerator after done? How in the world do you pump it out? Can't I simply take the small holding tank off, but how do you stop it from going all the way to the big tank in the hull? Sound like an idiot, but really felling clueless on this thing.
 
Download your owners manual from the Grady site. It will have the instructions for your model. Ironically it's great reading material for your house throne!
 
Still haven't figured mine out. It's like an 8-step process to use it. Couldn't find any instructions either. I think Grady needs to do a video series on every toilet model they have.
 
pressure23 said:
Hi, not new to boating, but I never had a head. I now have a 2017 257 fisherman with a head and holding tank and macerator and I'm clueless. What's the story? Do you put water in top tank for the flush? Do you press macerator after done? How in the world do you pump it out? Can't I simply take the small holding tank off, but how do you stop it from going all the way to the big tank in the hull? Sound like an idiot, but really felling clueless on this thing.
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Keep the discharge seacock closed unless discharging. I also keep the raw water intake closed even thought it doesn't push water in when underway. Just another hole in the bottom I want plugged.

When you use it, open the raw water intake seacock so water can come in. You likely have a disc on top of the housing next to the bowl, turned one way is designed to pull in raw water (and also flush into the holding tank). The other way flushes without pulling in water (although residual stills comes into the bowl). When the tank is full or you just don't want that rotting in the tank, go to a marina with a pump out. The access plate for pump out is likely on the gunwale cap. They'll have a pump station with a hose that seals over the opening. Enjoy the show. I keep nitrile gloves and hand sanitizer in a bag on the boat for this. Alternatively, you can discharge offshore if over the right distance, as long as you aren't within a non-discharge zone. ONLY USE MARINE TP. The only things that should go into it: what comes out of your backside or bladder and marine TP. NOTHING ELSE. I had to rip open my tank and clean out the macerator twice before due to feminine toiletries in the system. Doesn't matter how seasoned the people are, they'll flush what they flush. I don't let anyone outside my family use it without me saying, don't put anything else in there!
 
It sort of sounds like you're describing a porta-potty (generally plastic) with a macerator option. But can you clarify if you have a SEPARATE holding tank... or is the bottom section of the potty the holding tank?

You should probably have a pump-out deck plate/fitting, as well (and probably a Y-valve to switch between pump-out and overboard discharge). THAT is what you normally use to evacuate when at the pump-out dock - the pump-out deck plate, NOT the macerator/overboard discharge.

You have to well offshore in a LEGAL discharge zone to use the macerator. Otherwise, the macerator must remain inoperable - closing and locking the seacock works (even zip ties on the handle will generally meet the law requirements).
 
Gone Coastal said:
Keep the discharge seacock closed unless discharging. I also keep the raw water intake closed even thought it doesn't push water in when underway. Just another hole in the bottom I want plugged.

When you use it, open the raw water intake seacock so water can come in. You likely have a disc on top of the housing next to the bowl, turned one way is designed to pull in raw water (and also flush into the holding tank). The other way flushes without pulling in water (although residual stills comes into the bowl). When the tank is full or you just don't want that rotting in the tank, go to a marina with a pump out. The access plate for pump out is likely on the gunwale cap. They'll have a pump station with a hose that seals over the opening. Enjoy the show. I keep nitrile gloves and hand sanitizer in a bag on the boat for this. Alternatively, you can discharge offshore if over the right distance, as long as you aren't within a non-discharge zone. ONLY USE MARINE TP. The only things that should go into it: what comes out of your backside or bladder and marine TP. NOTHING ELSE. I had to rip open my tank and clean out the macerator twice before due to feminine toiletries in the system. Doesn't matter how seasoned the people are, they'll flush what they flush. I don't let anyone outside my family use it without me saying, don't put anything else in there!
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Yeah, I'm describing one with a china bowl and separate holding tank. If you have what the other poster described, I have no idea how to use it. At least after it is used for relief.
 
Gone Coastal said:
Yeah, I'm describing one with a china bowl and separate holding tank. If you have what the other poster described, I have no idea how to use it. At least after it is used for relief.
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And... it could still be a porta potty with separate holding tank, too.

I guess the best thing is to first get concrete clarification (and maybe pics) of what were dealing with before going too far.
 
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