Hi - I lived for 50 years on the eastern shore of L. Champlain and Penny and I still summer there aboard Seahorse at Essex Marina on the New York side. It seems that there is much speculation and too little fact on this subject - perhaps I can help. Whose literature says you can't discharge gray water? Probably that of some environmental group frustrated because they couldn't get their law passed. Or some municipality, wishfully thinking. Please quote laws - not a vague opinion of others. The thru-hull must be sealed - yes - put a plug in it - it's sealed. Don't believe everything you hear. Most cops will accept a reasonable arrangement for "sealing;" the letter of the law need not be met in most cases if you show reasonable intent to comply. In our vented loop I cut the hose and installed 2 ABS unions. The low point on the pump side is fitted with a drain back to the tank. Open the drain, remove the loop and screw on two plugged union halves in place of the loop. Store the loop in a big ziplock. Meets: "Plugged discharge" and "section of hose removed" in one 2-minute operation. Passes with flying colors. Regarding Charles' comment, how many marinas did you check? In our experience pumpouts are no less expensive in most New York marinas than in VT. As I have posted here before, Point Bay Marina on the VT side offers free pumpouts. All the people at Essex go to Point Bay to pump for free. Please get the facts straight! Regards, John "Seahorse" > Also, there was literature in every Vermont marina which stated that "gray water" from sinks and showers must be holding tank contained (not true)! We also understand that some Vermonters are trying to extend the no discharge of oil statute to include washing of dishes (salad oils and grease) and also shower water to wash off body oils and sun tan lotions ??? The Vermont law states ".... the discharge openings sealed shut and any discharge lines, pipes or hoses shall be removed". That means that you must seal the through hull fitting and remove all discharge lines / hoses. Another GL poster claimed that you can leave the Y- valve in the system for a quick hook-up when needed - but isn't a Y- valve part of the discharge lines /hoses ??? The word "sealed" with regard to the through hull fitting doesn't specifically say that it must be fiberglased and gellcoated, just "capped" or "plugged" -- at least that is what the "potty police" at one marina told us. **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/ 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)

I Regarding Charles' comment, how many marinas did you check? In our experience pumpouts are no less expensive in most New York marinas than in VT. As I have posted here before, Point Bay Marina on the VT side offers free pumpouts. All the people at Essex go to Point Bay to pump for free. Please get the facts straight! Regards, John "Seahorse" John, THREE marinas to be exact. That was last season so it is as current info as I can post. Note this is my EXPERIENCE. As always YMMV. CCC CHARLES C., JR. & PAT CULOTTA SUPPORT OUR TROOPS M/V CCRIDER PATTERSON, LA. http://geocities.com/charlesculotta