Holding Tank

[ryansk]

I have a 1993 H27 with an inboard Yanmar diesel. I believe my holding tank (waste tank) is leaking. I'm not sure if its a hose or the actual tank itself. The tank is stainless steel I think, so it shouldn't corrode. The only access to it is under the two stern seats on either side of the walk-thru transom. Has anyone had any experience removing/replacing this tank? Any tips, tricks, or pictures would be much appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
Ryan

 

[Justin_NSA]

It's probably galvanized steel like mine if it isn't plastic. I debated whether to replace mine when I added my monitoring system but I didn't. So far so good.

 

[dlochner]

Holding tank waste is acidic, so it could be the tank or the welds that have failed.

What makes you think the tank is leaking? Odor? or smelly liquid in the bilge?

If it is odor, the hoses are probably due for replacement.

A good reference is @Peggie Hall HeadMistress's book, which is available in SBO store.

 

[Justin_NSA]

If it's like my 30T, the tank is under the battery floor. Mine is port side. Not too hard to open and check the hoses and tank.

 

[ryansk]

Im getting water (not water) in the bilge and under the aft berth. Access isn't a problem. I'm not sure if there is room to remove/replace the tank.

 

[dlochner]

Im getting water (not water) in the bilge and under the aft berth. Access isn't a problem. I'm not sure if there is room to remove/replace the tank.

That's not good. Tanks can be difficult to remove, because they are sometimes installed before the deck is attached to the hull.

Rinse the tank out well and fill with clean water. Look for the leak. If you are lucky it will just be a hose connection that worked loose or a failed hose clamp. Worst case is the tank corroded which metal holding tanks will do.

All tanks can be removed, just not necessarily in one piece. New plastic tanks come in all shapes and sizes.

 

[ryansk]

Thanks

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

I believe my holding tank (waste tank) is leaking. I'm not sure if its a hose or the actual tank itself. The tank is stainless steel I think, so it shouldn't corrode.

Urine is so corrosive that average lifespan of any metal waste tank is about 10 years. Typically, the first leak will be a weld--a seam or a fitting...and it's always just the FIRST leak...as urine gradually turns the bottom of the tank into a colander. The smartest thing you can do is replace it now....and all the hoses if they're even close to 10 years old, which is the average working life of any hose 'cuz rubber and plastics dry out over time, getting hard, brittle and prone to splitting.

Dave's suggestion to pump and thoroughly rinse the tank (which you'd want to do before trying to remove the tank or replace any hoses anyway), then fill with clean water is a good one, except that I'd put some red food coloring in the water to make any leaks easier to see.

Whether you decide to replace the tank and hoses now or try to get through the season with patched leaks, Ronco Plastics Ronco Plastics marine Tanks (most people find it easier to search their previous catalog Ronco Plastics old marine catalog) your best source for new tank. relation to the VegoMatic Ronco) is your best source for a tank. They make TOP quality thick-walled water and waste tanks for a very reasonable price and have more than 400 shapes and sizes, over 100 of which are non-rectangular, and they install fittings in the sizes and locations specified by the customer when they make the tank. There are retailers who sell Ronco tanks, but Ronco sells direct for a much lower price...and they're great to work with. I'll be glad to help you work out the details.

--Peggie

 

[ryansk]

Thank you for all the info Peggie! I think will make due for the summer before I have to stand on my head to get the old tank out! ha. If the old one comes out in one piece, I'll see what getting a stainless steel one made will cost. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

The last thing you need is another SS waste tank...it's NOT superior to plastic. You're unlikely to the find a single boat builder--even high end ones- who still uses it because the industry realized that metal is a bad choice and began recommending plastic in the early 90s.

But you might consider this:
On any boat much smaller than about 30', a self-contained system—an "MSD" portapotty-- makes a lot of sense. The "MSD" designation in the model name/number means it has fittings for a pumpout line and vent line, and is designed to be permanently installed (actually just sturdier brackets than portables, so you could still take it off the boat if you absolutely have to), which means that although it's still called a PORTApotty, you don't have to carry anything off the boat to empty it.

A 5-6 gallon model holds 50-60 flushes...you'd need at least a 30 gal tank to hold that many from a manual marine toilet. No plumbing needed except a vent line and pumpout hose--so no new holes in the boat...and -0- maintenance needed except for rinsing out the tank--which you can do with a bucket while it's being pumped out. Total cost including the pumpout hose and vent line is about $200--a fraction of what you'd spend for toilet, tank and all the related plumbing needed. And the best part is, you have all the advantages of a toilet and holding tank without giving up a single square foot of storage space. A lot of people with smaller boats on this site have gone this route and love it.

You wouldn't have to remove the existing tank immediately to do this...just rinse it out very thoroughly, remove the hoses and male hose fittings, and seal the female tank fittings with threaded plugs wrapped in plenty of teflon tape.

---Peggie