Gray water blues ;)

I never really understood this whole grey water thing. I mean, aren't we doing a lot worse through our exhaust then actually depositing soapy dish/shower water into the lake?? :smt017
 
gnealon said:
I never really understood this whole grey water thing. I mean, aren't we doing a lot worse through our exhaust then actually depositing soapy dish/shower water into the lake?? :smt017
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Dish soap generally has phosphates in it which contributes to algae growth and depletes oxygen in the water. That being said, washing your hands with a bar of soap and rinsing them isn't a big deal unless you have 10 million people a day doing it :huh:. Bilge water is substantially more harmful because you are introducing oils, gasoline, diesel etc to the water and these are much more dificult to break down than phosphates which are used by the plant life. Phosphates are also a major part of fertilizers which is the reason it is always better to have a controlled "hard shoreline" with natural plants/ shrubs instead of a long football field sized lawn that buts right up to the water edge.

The exhaust in the water isn't a terrible thing, but it does contribute somehwhat as oil residuals are pushed and carried into the exhaust more and more as the engines age. 2 stroke motors are much worse and thats one of the main reasons they are being phased out.

I personally would never wash dishes, or discharge soapy water, other than a hand washing on my boat in an inland lake, but there are a lot worse things you can do that are legal.
 
40Sundeck240 said:
Dish soap generally has phosphates in it which contributes to algae growth and depletes oxygen in the water. That being said, washing your hands with a bar of soap and rinsing them isn't a big deal unless you have 10 million people a day doing it :huh:. Bilge water is substantially more harmful because you are introducing oils, gasoline, diesel etc to the water and these are much more dificult to break down than phosphates which are used by the plant life. Phosphates are also a major part of fertilizers which is the reason it is always better to have a controlled "hard shoreline" with natural plants/ shrubs instead of a long football field sized lawn that buts right up to the water edge.

The exhaust in the water isn't a terrible thing, but it does contribute somehwhat as oil residuals are pushed and carried into the exhaust more and more as the engines age. 2 stroke motors are much worse and thats one of the main reasons they are being phased out.

I personally would never wash dishes, or discharge soapy water, other than a hand washing on my boat in an inland lake, but there are a lot worse things you can do that are legal.
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ahhh HA... thanks for the explanation!
 
O.K. I am a Lake George Boater. Last fall I brought a 320 in from the Lake of the OZARK's and had it fully converted. All sinks , head , shower ,ice holder and bilge now go to my holding tank. The A/C system is a water circulation so it picks up lake water and extracts the cool water and returns to the lake. The total cost was $ 1100.00 for materials and labor. It does force you to pump out more frequently but if you you belong to BOATUSA it is free assuming you go to a participant. The odds are you will be inspected by the LGP because they take their jobs seriously. I appreciate the bantering but the rules were made because there were some who have violated them whether they were boat owners or homeowners. Now as a result like all things in life we need to live up to them or as we have seen our world will slip away like a slippery slope ! Let's take our world back !!!!!!
 
Bill, have you found a free pumpout? The cheapest pumpout I have found is 5.00 in Dunhams Bay (not the SR dealer...the one nearest the bridge) They also seem to have the cheapest gas...3.50 last week.
 
Bill Z said:
O.K. I am a Lake George Boater. Last fall I brought a 320 in from the Lake of the OZARK's and had it fully converted. All sinks , head , shower ,ice holder and bilge now go to my holding tank. The A/C system is a water circulation so it picks up lake water and extracts the cool water and returns to the lake. The total cost was $ 1100.00 for materials and labor. It does force you to pump out more frequently but if you you belong to BOATUSA it is free assuming you go to a participant. The odds are you will be inspected by the LGP because they take their jobs seriously. I appreciate the bantering but the rules were made because there were some who have violated them whether they were boat owners or homeowners. Now as a result like all things in life we need to live up to them or as we have seen our world will slip away like a slippery slope ! Let's take our world back !!!!!!
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Hi Bill, good information. You did your bilge also, wow!! Having the bilge connected to that system seems to be a requirement to follow the letter of the law, and I give you credit for that, but... Don't you think that is a relativley dangerous thing to do?? Lets say you start taking on water, the bilge water is then pumped to your holding tank and not overboard?? Do you have an override based on water level or a separate pump based on high level that discharges overboard?
 
Groucho,
If you are a member of BOATUS the Boardawalk and Harris Bay Yacht Club are free.

" Scotch in Water "
Yes I have a second emergency bilge that would pump thru hull if needed.
 
Bill Z said:
O.K. I am a Lake George Boater. Last fall I brought a 320 in from the Lake of the OZARK's and had it fully converted. All sinks , head , shower ,ice holder and bilge now go to my holding tank. The A/C system is a water circulation so it picks up lake water and extracts the cool water and returns to the lake. The total cost was $ 1100.00 for materials and labor. It does force you to pump out more frequently but if you you belong to BOATUSA it is free assuming you go to a participant.
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Is everything routed to the shower sump (except bilge) and then pumped into the Black water tank (one for the head)?

Did they put backflow preventer(s) in, I hope?

So the $1100 was for plumbing parts and labor, no separate gray water tank, right?

What happens if the bilge pump pumps into a full tank, or how do you stop that from happening?

How does the emergency bilge pump know it's time to kick in,?higher float?

Who did the work?

Sounds pretty neat, but not cheap, I expect it will be a bit less for a 260. I bet at that price though there's a lot of people putting it off ... or not even on their radar.

Thank you for your reply.
 
Bill Z said:
Groucho,
If you are a member of BOATUS the Boardawalk and Harris Bay Yacht Club are free.


Yes I am a member...Haven't been to HB but seems last time I was @ Boardwalk it cost me 5.00. Don't get me wrong...It's well worth 5.00 but I end up giving the pumper 5.00 tip. I'd rather just give them a 10.00 tip. Nasty job!
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Steve,
I am not sure about the back flow question but I assume that it was done. Michaels Marine did all of my work. They are the best !!! And yes it is a higher emergency float. If you need a phone number pm me.
Groucho,
It is free and yes it's worth $ 10.00 or more. They are really nice at the marina and see me coming because they know I will treat them well.
 
Groucho,

You were right! The price is $ 5.00 unless you spend $ 100.00 or more for fuel. I have always done that except for today wehen I just pumped out for the last time this year. Where do you keep yor boat ?
 
Putting it away for the winter already? I'm going to stay in until Oct. 31 if I can. Big powerboat poker run Colombus day weekend. It should be fun to watch.

We are in Green Harbour @ a private dock.
 
Groucho,
A partner of mine who just retired told me to try to get into Green Harbor. When I called they did not have any that could handle me. 320 35 ft overall. Are you aware of any slips available for the spring. I am across the Lake just south of you at a private residence.
 
Bill Z said:
Groucho,
A partner of mine who just retired told me to try to get into Green Harbor. When I called they did not have any that could handle me. 320 35 ft overall. Are you aware of any slips available for the spring. I am across the Lake just south of you at a private residence.
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There are docks in there that could fit a 320. Best bet is to call Depe dene hotel. I know they take care of the seasonal docks in the cove. The other (smaller for the most part) docks are owned by the condo association. As I hear it's about 4,000 a season BTW....But if I hear of one I'll let you know.
 
Thank you ! I am still in waiting for an Indian Summer. Just across the lake. Storing inside at BLM. Need to move her there after 10-15 and no later than 11-15.
 
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