Setting up a gray water system

T

Thompson gunr

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I have a 1987 Thompson Carrera 245. It came with a 5 gallon fresh water tank. There is a sink with a hand pump. Currently the drain for that sink pours into the bilge. Obviously NOT the way to go. I would like to set up a waste tank and was wondering a couple of things. Since I think by definition this falls in the catagory of "gray water" can this be pumped directly overboard? I would like to set up a small holding tank with a pump if this is a legal way to do it. Otherwise I would have to go to the effort of cutting out the bottoms of the V berth seating in order to get a holding tank in there that is large enough to hold the water and have it pumped out. Any ideas would be helpful. Hopefully I got all the terms right.
 
Yes, sink and shower water is considered to be "gray water." In most places in the U.S., there is no restriction on draining (or pumping) gray water overboard. It normally drains directly overboard via a through-hull just above the waterline. But, aside from being more complicated, I see no reason why you couldn't do it the way you described - as long as it is only gray water - NO black water.
 
Thanks Vic! Do you have any suggestions for a small holding tank/pump setup? Due to the location of the sink, gravity would not be able to drain it through the side of the hull. The spot where the drain would come out would still be in the "V" of the hull and I am concerned with putting anything in this area. I have concerns that when running through waves I would force water up the drain. Should this be a valid concern or is it acceptable to do it this way? I would imagine that a check valve would be a bad idea in this location too since I would be relying on gravity to drain the sink and the check valve would restrict this even more.
 
I ordered the shower sump from boatfix as you suggested and it works great! It was delivered very quickly and the price beat the brick and mortar by about $10.00. Thanks Vic.
 
Thanks! I have heard both sides of that. Some like it some don't. It is growing old now so I am thinking of changing it again if I can come up with one that is as controversial without going over the edge. It says for now though.
 
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