Boat chemical recommendations

[Juice6576]

We should have our new H33 by the end of the month. This will be my first IB Diesel and Water tank and holding tank.

1. Diesel Bio-fouling treatment - are they all about the same or are some better than others?

2. Holding tank treatments...we ware sailing the Great Lakes, so we'll be strictly using pump outs. Again, which is most effective at preventing clogs and smells.

3. Water tanks. We always drained our water tanks after the weekend trip. Is ite best to keep them topped off with a drinking water additive?

Finally, do you have to treat the raw water system for zebra mussels? Has any Great Lakes sailors had a problem with zebra mussel fouling in their heat exchangers?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Suggest you spend some time in the Head Mistress forum...

To learn how to maintain your sanitation and fresh water systems. And you just might also want to check out the link in my signature to this post...it'll take you to a comprehensive "marine toilets and holding tanks 101" manual that should help you sort out all the conflicting advice posted in the HM forum and learn how to PREVENT most problems instead of having to cure 'em.

 

[Scott B]

Juice, you sound like me 4 years ago when we got our H33.... excited.

1. Never used it, have had no issues in 4 years, but run our engine for several hours each weekend. We motor or sail 4-6 hours to an anchorage each weekend so put lot of hours on the engine if there is no wind.

2. Odorloss for the smell, as per Peggie, has worked for the smells. Clogs... nothing more than TP, and single ply, water soluble ( read Peggies book and you'll understand ).

3. No need to drain the tank, I top up each weekend and head out, no additives, but we always bring bottled water for drinking, coffee etc. and use the tanks for dishes etc.. Again, for treatment each season, Peggie has great advise. ( not just a plug for her book. I bought one few years ago and has been a great resource of information on holding tanks, water tanks etc. )

4. I've never had an issue with zebra mussles and there are lots in this area. It may be a condition of where you keep your boat, although I have not heard of it being a problem.

We should have our new H33 by the end of the month. This will be my first IB Diesel and Water tank and holding tank.

1. Diesel Bio-fouling treatment - are they all about the same or are some better than others?

2. Holding tank treatments...we ware sailing the Great Lakes, so we'll be strictly using pump outs. Again, which is most effective at preventing clogs and smells.

3. Water tanks. We always drained our water tanks after the weekend trip. Is ite best to keep them topped off with a drinking water additive?

Finally, do you have to treat the raw water system for zebra mussels? Has any Great Lakes sailors had a problem with zebra mussel fouling in their heat exchangers?