Should I leave my head on a manual bilge pump or switch to a macerator?

[nuru05]

So my boat has a Minster Simms bilge pump that is set up to pump the forward holding tank through the sea cock. The clamp that holds the diaphragm in has gotten old and cracked. Since I'm in the US a replacement will have to be shipped from the UK and costs almost as much as a new pump. So my question is; if I have to replace it anyways am I better off putting in a new manual bilge pump for it or just wiring up a macerator? I'm leaning towards another bilge pump because we are about to leave on a circumnavigation and for me reliability is the biggest factor, but I figured I'd see what you guys think.

[deltaten]

Manual !
One less thing to draw power
Easier to maintain/repair
Cheaper to replace

HTH

[rslifkin]

As a third option, there are electric diaphragm pumps meant for waste tank emptying. So basically a powered version of the manual bilge pump.

[sv_pelagia]

If manual pump has been working well for you, I'd stick with it.

I have a pretty good electric diaphragm waste pump (Whale) that works well for me. Nevertheless, I have to replace valves etc on a regular basis (approx every 2-3 years) which is a bit of a stinky job (yes, I flush tank etc several times before begin replacement).

PS. Boat came with a "macerator" pump which was useless. Diaphragm (manual or electric) is the way to go.

[wsmurdoch]

We have a Henderson Mk V Sanitation pump to empty our holding tank overboard. It is a good bit of kit, a well made hand operated diaphragm pump.

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

Diaphragm (manual or electric) is the way to go.

Originally Posted by wsmurdoch

We have a Henderson Mk V Sanitation pump to empty our holding tank overboard.

I'll second those posts.
The Mk V pump is pretty much the standard in a manual pump, decades of usage have proven them to be a long-lasting quality product.
In an electric, what seems to be the "Top Dog" is the Sealand/Dometic, likewise they have a proven track record.
For a larger system, (and a large wallet,) the pumps made by Edson are unbeatable.
But like most anything made by Edson, one would be advised to take a sedative before looking at the prices.

[GILow]

Another vote for manual pump out.

I’ve been using a Whale pump for the last five years of live aboard life. Faultless.

[JPA Cate]

Manual pump till you get too feeble to pump out any more.

Ann