Joe Roy, Sample size of one; anecdotal only; too small to be meaningfully representative. Sanctuary and crew were in compliance. We completely removed a hose, not from the discharge thruhull, but from the vented loop that immediately feeds the thruhull line. We also closed the thruhull and physically removed the handle (requires "the use of tools" to replace). We were never boarded while on the loop. Not anywhere; not in Lake Champlain, not in Canada. We traveled in shotgun formation with about 20 - 25 other loop cruisers, hopscotching with that same general group of cruisers from Whitehall, NY, all the way to Chicago. As far as I know, none of them were boarded either. At least, there was never any chit-chat about actual boardings over docktails or on the AGLCA site. That's not to say potti-patrol boardings can't happen. It would certainly be expensive to a non-compliant boat if it did happen. There are plenty of places to pump out all along the great loop route, so don't fret about that. Especially with tools like ActiveCaptain.com. In the US, pumpouts will typically be free or $5; infrequently to occasionally, more. In Canada, it'll typically be $10 - $20; infrequently, less, occasionally more. We find that two retirees, living what we think is a "normal life," can go 7 - 10 days on the capacity of a 40 gallon holding tank. It's no problem to pump out within that timeframe anywhere along the traditional great loop route. So, my recommendation would be, just disconnect the overboard plumbing now, before you leave home. I'd bet you'll never have to put it back in. The only place you'll ever actually need to use it these days will be in the Bahamas. I leave mine in place "in case of emergency." I haven't used it in four years, and yes, we live aboard full time. In our nine years of living aboard and cruising, we've only been boarded once by the potti-patrol. That was by the Florida FWC at the Ponce Inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. If you ever are boarded, collect 20 bucks from the potti-patrol **before** you authorize them put dye in your tank. They'll pump so much water into the tank that if you didn't need a pumpout before they arrived, you certainly will afterwards! STUPID! Definitely a destructive test! That is, of course, "destructive" of the capacity of the holding tank, and that will cost you money and time to correct... And, you **do not** have to allow the potti-patrol aboard. Only the coast guard has the right to board without a warrant (and it takes "probable cause" to get a warrant). Just "being old" is not "probable cause." So that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Jim Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary Currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL Monk 36 Hull #132 MMSI #367042570 AGLCA #3767 MTOA #3436