Forgive me if you've addressed this one before, but here goes: The only time I get really bad head odor is when I sail in a strong breeze on a starboard tack. The holding tank vent is located on the starboard side of the hull, and I checked it to make sure it's not blocked, but I suspect that this isn't just coincidence? BTW, No evidence of siphoning, and I previously treated with KO. What gives?
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By "head odor" do you mean inside the boat or
Odor from the vent perfuming the air in the cockpit?
Odor from the vent perfuming the air in the cockpit?
Peggy, I've got the same problem
I don't want to barge in on your answer to Stephen, but I have a similar problem. The waste holding tank is at the aft starboard quarter as is the vent. A plywood bulkhead separates the aft cabin from the tank. I, too, have checked the vent line. It is clear. From time to time, especially in the late afternoon and evening, when the sun superheats the stern of the boat, it smells of a strong urine smell in the aft cabin. (No, we didn't!) Last week, I had to replace a defective tank sensor. The smell was there before the replacement. I had hoped that the replcement might solve the problem, but it did not. I was using KO, but switched to Orerlos. Could it be that I am not using enough chemical? I am using about 4 oz. for a 30 gallon tank. Thanks for your assistance! Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility H340
I don't want to barge in on your answer to Stephen, but I have a similar problem. The waste holding tank is at the aft starboard quarter as is the vent. A plywood bulkhead separates the aft cabin from the tank. I, too, have checked the vent line. It is clear. From time to time, especially in the late afternoon and evening, when the sun superheats the stern of the boat, it smells of a strong urine smell in the aft cabin. (No, we didn't!) Last week, I had to replace a defective tank sensor. The smell was there before the replacement. I had hoped that the replcement might solve the problem, but it did not. I was using KO, but switched to Orerlos. Could it be that I am not using enough chemical? I am using about 4 oz. for a 30 gallon tank. Thanks for your assistance! Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility H340
Wynn, I think you have a different problem
I don't think your holding tank is culprit. A "urine" odor isn't always urine...If you have a shower sump or a wet bilge back there, I think you can cure your odor problem by cleaning it. Start looking for a wet or damp area in the aft end of your boat.
I don't think your holding tank is culprit. A "urine" odor isn't always urine...If you have a shower sump or a wet bilge back there, I think you can cure your odor problem by cleaning it. Start looking for a wet or damp area in the aft end of your boat.
bad odor in cabin
The odor is definetly inside the cabin, coming from the head area. The holding tank is located under the forward starboard dinette seat, so it could be coming from there, but my feeling is that its coming from the head area (the head is also forward / starboard on this model). It is not a urine odor, but like sewage or sewer gas. And it only happens on starboard tack. I have checked all the hoses & connections and found no leaks. The tank is poly, BTW. The hoses could be permeated, but why the strong odor only on stb. tack in medium (10-15 knots) apparent wind? I'm baffled.
The odor is definetly inside the cabin, coming from the head area. The holding tank is located under the forward starboard dinette seat, so it could be coming from there, but my feeling is that its coming from the head area (the head is also forward / starboard on this model). It is not a urine odor, but like sewage or sewer gas. And it only happens on starboard tack. I have checked all the hoses & connections and found no leaks. The tank is poly, BTW. The hoses could be permeated, but why the strong odor only on stb. tack in medium (10-15 knots) apparent wind? I'm baffled.
Air Flow
If the odor only emanates on stb. tack, in certain wind conditions, then there must be a certain air flow that is created to push the gas into the cabin and cockpit. Have you tried to duplicate this air flow pattern with a fan? Don't know if this helps, but it may lead you to the source of the odor. Good luck
If the odor only emanates on stb. tack, in certain wind conditions, then there must be a certain air flow that is created to push the gas into the cabin and cockpit. Have you tried to duplicate this air flow pattern with a fan? Don't know if this helps, but it may lead you to the source of the odor. Good luck
Your boat has 2 opening hatches on deck
Could it be the port opening skylight is closed and the starboard opening skylight is open, allowing a flow of air into the cabin, picking up the head odor (tank, permeated hose, etc) and blowing it out the companionway hatch into the cockpit????
Could it be the port opening skylight is closed and the starboard opening skylight is open, allowing a flow of air into the cabin, picking up the head odor (tank, permeated hose, etc) and blowing it out the companionway hatch into the cockpit????
I don't know that would be possible, John...
Unless a very strong wind blowing directly into the tank vent could send gasses from the tank all the way back up the toilet discharge hose, and out through the toilet. Besides, it were coming from the tank, he'd have odor out the vent when he flushes--on either tack or when the boat's at rest. So I don't THINK the odor in the head is coming from the tank. In fact, I question whether it's even coming from the sanitation system...that it may only be a coincidence that the tank vent is on the stbd side and he only notices it when he's on a stbd tack. Stirring up a wet smelly bilge releases odor...and if there's any place in the head that would allow bilge odor to escape into it when the primordial soup that so few boat owners are willing to clean a bilge to get rid of sloshes to the stbd side, that could very easily be the culprit...'cuz dirty bilges can smell very much like a sewer in hot weather...and just pouring something into the soup doesn't help it.
Unless a very strong wind blowing directly into the tank vent could send gasses from the tank all the way back up the toilet discharge hose, and out through the toilet. Besides, it were coming from the tank, he'd have odor out the vent when he flushes--on either tack or when the boat's at rest. So I don't THINK the odor in the head is coming from the tank. In fact, I question whether it's even coming from the sanitation system...that it may only be a coincidence that the tank vent is on the stbd side and he only notices it when he's on a stbd tack. Stirring up a wet smelly bilge releases odor...and if there's any place in the head that would allow bilge odor to escape into it when the primordial soup that so few boat owners are willing to clean a bilge to get rid of sloshes to the stbd side, that could very easily be the culprit...'cuz dirty bilges can smell very much like a sewer in hot weather...and just pouring something into the soup doesn't help it.
bilge possible
I'm pretty good about keeping my bilge clean, so I don't think its that, however, it could be some hidden water somewhere that isn't making its way to the bilge pump. (Hunter's are famous for that) I'll do some more checking and see what I can find.
I'm pretty good about keeping my bilge clean, so I don't think its that, however, it could be some hidden water somewhere that isn't making its way to the bilge pump. (Hunter's are famous for that) I'll do some more checking and see what I can find.
stinky hoses
Is there any way to un-permeate the head hoses? Will fulshing with water and vinegar before I go home for the week (I am at the boat only on weekends) help reduce the smell? Or should I just replace the hoses. BTW they (the hoses) are five years old.
Is there any way to un-permeate the head hoses? Will fulshing with water and vinegar before I go home for the week (I am at the boat only on weekends) help reduce the smell? Or should I just replace the hoses. BTW they (the hoses) are five years old.
Only cure for permeated hose is replacement
Once the hose has "soaked up" odor all the way through it, nothing will reverse it.
Once the hose has "soaked up" odor all the way through it, nothing will reverse it.
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