A 25 gal holding tank is just to small if you are going to anchor out for any length of time and that what I have. I am thinking about adding a second tank to increase my capacity. Does anyone have experience with this? I have a 1992, 37.5 Legend. There is plenty of space in the stern lockers.
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beware the uphill run
two things to avoid in a sewage line are (1) a long run and (2) an uphill run. ask yourself whether the tank in the stern locker would be higher than the outflow on the head itself. This is not to imply that it can't be done--I believe that's the system used on the 380 models--it's just that you're asking for trouble anytime you try to force waste to run uphill. an alternative you may want to investigate is a treatment system such as Electrosan. If you don't keep your boat in no-discharge areas, it's a way to beat the small-holding-tank blues.
two things to avoid in a sewage line are (1) a long run and (2) an uphill run. ask yourself whether the tank in the stern locker would be higher than the outflow on the head itself. This is not to imply that it can't be done--I believe that's the system used on the 380 models--it's just that you're asking for trouble anytime you try to force waste to run uphill. an alternative you may want to investigate is a treatment system such as Electrosan. If you don't keep your boat in no-discharge areas, it's a way to beat the small-holding-tank blues.
Does the boat have one head or two?
If two heads are currently connected to the same tank, you might actually be better off if you put each one on its own tank...especially if the heads are at opposite ends of the boat, 'cuz at least of the toilets is way too far from the tank. Ideally, the tank should be within 6' of the toilet...it can be another foot or two away, but more than that leaves waste sitting in the line to permeate it. Whether you have one head or two, while it's ok to tandem water or fuel tanks, putting two or more holding tanks in tandem can cause more problems than it solves, so I don't recommend it. You may not actually need more tank capacity...If the toilet is a manual toilet, learning how reduce the amount of flush water can double or even triple the number of flushes your existing tank can hold. A 25 gallon tank should last 2 adults at least 4 days. Otoh, if you have a couple of kids, you prob'ly do need more capacity...in which case, the best solution would be a larger tank, not two. Contrary to John's opinion, an uphill run to the tank is ok if it's a SHORT run...in fact, almost all the tanks on sailboats are at least slightly higher than the toilet. And even if the tank does have to be slightly above the toilet, with a longer run, it can be plumbed to make the uphill portion short and allow gravity to do the rest. We prob'ly need to discuss the specifics of how to solve your problem in more detail than is practical in a discussion forum...if you'd like to email me, I'm in all the owner directories. Meanwhile, you might want to check out the link below.
If two heads are currently connected to the same tank, you might actually be better off if you put each one on its own tank...especially if the heads are at opposite ends of the boat, 'cuz at least of the toilets is way too far from the tank. Ideally, the tank should be within 6' of the toilet...it can be another foot or two away, but more than that leaves waste sitting in the line to permeate it. Whether you have one head or two, while it's ok to tandem water or fuel tanks, putting two or more holding tanks in tandem can cause more problems than it solves, so I don't recommend it. You may not actually need more tank capacity...If the toilet is a manual toilet, learning how reduce the amount of flush water can double or even triple the number of flushes your existing tank can hold. A 25 gallon tank should last 2 adults at least 4 days. Otoh, if you have a couple of kids, you prob'ly do need more capacity...in which case, the best solution would be a larger tank, not two. Contrary to John's opinion, an uphill run to the tank is ok if it's a SHORT run...in fact, almost all the tanks on sailboats are at least slightly higher than the toilet. And even if the tank does have to be slightly above the toilet, with a longer run, it can be plumbed to make the uphill portion short and allow gravity to do the rest. We prob'ly need to discuss the specifics of how to solve your problem in more detail than is practical in a discussion forum...if you'd like to email me, I'm in all the owner directories. Meanwhile, you might want to check out the link below.
one head, and...
...a really looooooooooong uphill run to the stern locker. (and yes, many sailboats, such as the old Juneaus and many other older French-built boats, had an uphill run to the holding tank, but that's only because they didn't really expect those tanks to be used in a day-to-day basis, if at all, thanks to the y-valve since the holding tank was only installed on models made for the American market as a wink-of-the-eye afterthought. It's a seriously bad idea for those of us who prefer to dispose of our waste at the pump-out station, unless of course the boat owner plans to replace the joker valve four times per year.)
...a really looooooooooong uphill run to the stern locker. (and yes, many sailboats, such as the old Juneaus and many other older French-built boats, had an uphill run to the holding tank, but that's only because they didn't really expect those tanks to be used in a day-to-day basis, if at all, thanks to the y-valve since the holding tank was only installed on models made for the American market as a wink-of-the-eye afterthought. It's a seriously bad idea for those of us who prefer to dispose of our waste at the pump-out station, unless of course the boat owner plans to replace the joker valve four times per year.)
Have you considered relocating the tank, John?
Next time you have to re-hose would be a good time to do that. Even if that means replacing the tank, what you'd save on the cost of shorter hoses would prob'ly pay for a good part of it. But actually, I was asking Mark for information about his current setup.
Next time you have to re-hose would be a good time to do that. Even if that means replacing the tank, what you'd save on the cost of shorter hoses would prob'ly pay for a good part of it. But actually, I was asking Mark for information about his current setup.
Hi Mark, give Ronco plastics a call...
to find out whether a replacement tank in its present location has a larger capacity. We have a 26 gallon SS tank on our boat and a replacement Ronco tank in the same space is 35 gallons. The current tank has lots of foam filler around it. Terry
to find out whether a replacement tank in its present location has a larger capacity. We have a 26 gallon SS tank on our boat and a replacement Ronco tank in the same space is 35 gallons. The current tank has lots of foam filler around it. Terry
I should have been more clear, Peggy.
Mark's boat, the 37.5, has a single head to starboard, forward of the aft cabin. The long uphill run would be to his stern locker. On my boat, the holding tanks are in the bilges. (The Juneau I was describing, btw, was a 40-footer I chartered about ten years ago. The holding tank held about 6 gallons and was about four feet higher than the head in the lazarette. Strangest thing I ever saw. I was told they only added those to boats for American export, in order to conform with regulations. I've seen a similar setup on a Wauquiez.)
Mark's boat, the 37.5, has a single head to starboard, forward of the aft cabin. The long uphill run would be to his stern locker. On my boat, the holding tanks are in the bilges. (The Juneau I was describing, btw, was a 40-footer I chartered about ten years ago. The holding tank held about 6 gallons and was about four feet higher than the head in the lazarette. Strangest thing I ever saw. I was told they only added those to boats for American export, in order to conform with regulations. I've seen a similar setup on a Wauquiez.)
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