Simon Hawthorne

Yes... the old pump out / cassette debate. It is a rental boat and people (I am advised) prefer to not have to empty a cassette when on holiday or I pay well be tempted. Especially as I may have to replace the toilet and a cassette one is much cheaper.

I have a pump out toilet that has always been a bit smelly. However recently, though it is flushing as normal, when it begins to refill the bowl it splashes back up the toilet and smells. Anyone come across this before and any ideas what to try to sort it? There is no manufacturers name on the toilet I can see, so no idea about spare parts. Anyone recognise make from the sticker with the finger on above the flush button on the pics? Simon

The tank is big. Almost the size of the bed so I would say at least 5ft x 4ft x 1ft deep. The toilet is a macerator which works fine and I would say uses 1.5pints a flush max. I tried sticking a metal stick in the tank but is has a rubber sleeve in so hard to tell if it is solid at the bottom. Maybe needs jetting in anywhere does such a thing.

I have recently acquired a narrowboat - circa late 80's build - and the pump out tank, which is under the bed and seems pretty big to me, needs pumping out every three days with a party of 4 on. Someone suggested it may be silted up (presumably not with silt) and the pump out is only taking liquid from the top. Has anyone come across this and any idea how you would get the c**p out if it is solid at the bottom?

Thanks David. Very helpful. Just need to find someone a bit nearer to do the work.

I am looking to strip paint and rust from a 55ft narrowboat and the dry dock won't allow sand blasting due to the mess. I don't blame them. Has anyone experience of water blasting as an alternative and an idea of comparative costs?