Boat Fill and Dump Procedures
At the end of each use of the houseboat there are two dock stops required, either at Halls Crossing Marina or Bullfrog Marina, or one at each -- to be avoided if possible as it costs a lot of time to enter both marinas.
Fuel dock:
One stop is the fuel dock for gas and propane. The latter is usually but not always available at the fuel dock. Call ahead on marine channel 16 to ask them (or go directly to Executive Services on channel 10).
At the fuel dock there are permanent tie lines. I recommend tying up along the side. It's best to be sideways rather than bow-in at the fuel dock for easier filling of rear (engine) tanks -- run the gas hoses across the bow or stern and not through the cabin.
Propane: Turn off the propane (both bottles) on upper deck along with the BBQ tank and close all windows and doors. Disconnect propane tank(s) that need filling and get them out on the dock ASAP as this can take some time. The dock person should haul them from the boat to fill them, and later return them.
Fuel: The keys usually found at the back in the locker next to the oil. Fill one to four fuel tanks as needed. The rear (main) tanks are easy to reach, but the front toy tanks fill is located on the upper deck level in front of the helm. You will need help to get the fuel hose to the fill ports.
When the propane bottle(s) return, attach them securely to the hoses. Turn the selector lever to one bottle or the other, open that one, and leave the other closed. (Ensure you have the hoses uncrossed so the selector valve works logically.) Note: In cold weather don't panic if it takes 15 minutes or more for propane pressure to build up and the gauge to show green after opening a bottle. Don’t forget to check the BBQ tank!
I tip the fuel dock operator $5 if they are helpful.
Pump-out dock:
The other stop is the pump-out dock for sewage out
At the pump-out dock you will need to tie up along side the dock, that's where the outlets are, and you must supply your own tie-up lines, so have them ready. Consider wind direction... It's helpful if the wind pushes you sideways into the dock instead of away from it. Also beware using anything but the end of the dock or the outer slips, as the inner slips are not deep enough -- the water/sewage ports end up out of reach beyond the end of the dock.
Sewage can take a surprisingly long time. First turn off the lake water pump (at the helm) and open any cold lake water tap to depressurize the system. This both saves batteries and makes it possible to look into the toilet's hole later with a flashlight.
Pull out a red lake water hose from the reel on the dock. Run it in through the bathroom window. Open the toilet valve, stick the end of the hose into the hole, let go of the toilet valve, and open the lake water valve on the hose. Start running water into the tank. Add lots of lake water to the tank while flushing. Have someone keep an eye on this end so the hose doesn't come out and spray all over the inside of the boat!
Now unscrew the metal sewage cap being careful not to lose it. You can put it in your pocket .Find a screw-in coupler pipe on the dock, usually at the base of a lamppost. After it's hand-tight, attach the white plastic suck-out hose to it with the side clamps, then use the hose to twist the coupler tighter. Press the start button on the metal box on the dock, pray, open the inline valve on the suction hose by the box, and with any luck you'll get suction for several minutes.
Watch the color of the material going up the hose. If there's no clear section in the hose, put the sun or a flashlight behind it to check. When you get a lot of air, turn off the suction hose valve for a while and add more water to the holding tank. Repeat until very clear water goes up the hose, followed by mostly air. Also look down into the rear toilet's hole with a flashlight and ensure you see a clean tank bottom.. What is "necessary"? You'll know when you see it... Repeat this process for both bathrooms
Yes this all sounds pretty icky, but rest assured you'll get used to it and soon you'll be the best sewage sucker on the lake.
Again, it takes a surprisingly long time to suck out all the mess, especially when the pump turns off and you must wait for it to obey the start button again. Please clean out the tank well for the next person. Add some toilet chemical when you are done.
Unstick the coupler by turning the suction hose a little. Then unclamp the hose and remove it, next unscrew the coupler, and finally replace and tighten the metal sewage cap.
What if there's no lake water available at the pump out dock? Grab a bucket, tie a rope to the handle, dip it in the lake, and dump water into the toilets... Slower but it works
Fuel dock:
One stop is the fuel dock for gas and propane. The latter is usually but not always available at the fuel dock. Call ahead on marine channel 16 to ask them (or go directly to Executive Services on channel 10).
At the fuel dock there are permanent tie lines. I recommend tying up along the side. It's best to be sideways rather than bow-in at the fuel dock for easier filling of rear (engine) tanks -- run the gas hoses across the bow or stern and not through the cabin.
Propane: Turn off the propane (both bottles) on upper deck along with the BBQ tank and close all windows and doors. Disconnect propane tank(s) that need filling and get them out on the dock ASAP as this can take some time. The dock person should haul them from the boat to fill them, and later return them.
Fuel: The keys usually found at the back in the locker next to the oil. Fill one to four fuel tanks as needed. The rear (main) tanks are easy to reach, but the front toy tanks fill is located on the upper deck level in front of the helm. You will need help to get the fuel hose to the fill ports.
When the propane bottle(s) return, attach them securely to the hoses. Turn the selector lever to one bottle or the other, open that one, and leave the other closed. (Ensure you have the hoses uncrossed so the selector valve works logically.) Note: In cold weather don't panic if it takes 15 minutes or more for propane pressure to build up and the gauge to show green after opening a bottle. Don’t forget to check the BBQ tank!
I tip the fuel dock operator $5 if they are helpful.
Pump-out dock:
The other stop is the pump-out dock for sewage out
At the pump-out dock you will need to tie up along side the dock, that's where the outlets are, and you must supply your own tie-up lines, so have them ready. Consider wind direction... It's helpful if the wind pushes you sideways into the dock instead of away from it. Also beware using anything but the end of the dock or the outer slips, as the inner slips are not deep enough -- the water/sewage ports end up out of reach beyond the end of the dock.
Sewage can take a surprisingly long time. First turn off the lake water pump (at the helm) and open any cold lake water tap to depressurize the system. This both saves batteries and makes it possible to look into the toilet's hole later with a flashlight.
Pull out a red lake water hose from the reel on the dock. Run it in through the bathroom window. Open the toilet valve, stick the end of the hose into the hole, let go of the toilet valve, and open the lake water valve on the hose. Start running water into the tank. Add lots of lake water to the tank while flushing. Have someone keep an eye on this end so the hose doesn't come out and spray all over the inside of the boat!
Now unscrew the metal sewage cap being careful not to lose it. You can put it in your pocket .Find a screw-in coupler pipe on the dock, usually at the base of a lamppost. After it's hand-tight, attach the white plastic suck-out hose to it with the side clamps, then use the hose to twist the coupler tighter. Press the start button on the metal box on the dock, pray, open the inline valve on the suction hose by the box, and with any luck you'll get suction for several minutes.
Watch the color of the material going up the hose. If there's no clear section in the hose, put the sun or a flashlight behind it to check. When you get a lot of air, turn off the suction hose valve for a while and add more water to the holding tank. Repeat until very clear water goes up the hose, followed by mostly air. Also look down into the rear toilet's hole with a flashlight and ensure you see a clean tank bottom.. What is "necessary"? You'll know when you see it... Repeat this process for both bathrooms
Yes this all sounds pretty icky, but rest assured you'll get used to it and soon you'll be the best sewage sucker on the lake.
Again, it takes a surprisingly long time to suck out all the mess, especially when the pump turns off and you must wait for it to obey the start button again. Please clean out the tank well for the next person. Add some toilet chemical when you are done.
Unstick the coupler by turning the suction hose a little. Then unclamp the hose and remove it, next unscrew the coupler, and finally replace and tighten the metal sewage cap.
What if there's no lake water available at the pump out dock? Grab a bucket, tie a rope to the handle, dip it in the lake, and dump water into the toilets... Slower but it works