Oh were life so simple. After a lengthy discussion with Peggy, I have concluded that my system is not really overly complex and long nor does is contain an excessive number of joints. It's all a matter of what you count and what you measure. I measured every inch of hose and counted every joint that had to be made between a hose and a barb. My head is only 2 feet from the holding tank. The only extra complexity is in the line that bypasses the holding tank for a direct overboard discharge. Most of the length of hose is in the run up to the vented loop, back down to the holding tank and from the holding tank to the deck pump out. I counted 14 joints, four could be eliminated if I wanted to give up the direct overboard loop. This loop would be undesirable in a boat that only cruised coastal US waters, but I think still desirable in a boat that may travel anywhere in the world. Four more could be eliminated if I wanted to give up the manual overboard pump out, but that is out of the question.

So that leaves me with 14 joints to disconnect and at least 10 to reconnect. I got a pair of the cutters that Larry recommended, but the are useless on my hose and I am back to the old knife and wire cutters approach. I guess tomorrow I'll just have to quit procrastinating and just do it.

Pulling the hose and keeping thing clean is not an issue. Attaching it to the barbs when I can't hardly get a hand on it let alone twist and push it at the same time is the problem that I fear.

Anyway thanks everyone for your thoughts and for listening to me whine and complain.