first 30e holding tank location?

[TORVAL83]

Hello
We've recently bought our first boat, a 1983 beneteau first 30e. We don't really know our way round yet, and are trying to figure out how the head / holding tank works.

There are two large tanks, one under the starboard side sofa, one under the port side sofa.

The head also has a small tank above it.

Starboard tank is definitely a fresh water tank. Would the port side tank be a holding tank for the head? If so, why is there also a small tank above the head?

Hope someone can help

 

[Captn TJ]

More than likely the two large tanks are water and the small one is waste. Just follow the plumbing - it'll be self evident. Your's is a French built boat as B didn't start building boats in the US til 87. They were more concerned about fresh water an fuel capacity then holding tank - therefore reflected in the size. Our first boat was a '86 305 built in France - even came with a French manual and European style 110 outlets.

 

[TORVAL83]

Thanks Captn TJ, much appreciated.

We did try to figure it out by following the pipes but some disappear under the floor. But that seems to make sense, two large water tanks, linked to each other, and the small tank above the head is the holding tank. We think just needed reassurance!

Thanks again

 

[shyamh]

I just bought an '84 First 30E and had a similar question come up. This discussion is giving me some clues. But in my case, the water tank overflowed (not sure from where, yet) into the bilge when we filled it up the first time. Are there any valves that need to be opened or closed, and that could cause this type of leakage when filling the tank up?

Where are the overflow lines anyway?

 

[Captn TJ]

I just bought an '84 First 30E and had a similar question come up. This discussion is giving me some clues. But in my case, the water tank overflowed (not sure from where, yet) into the bilge when we filled it up the first time. Are there any valves that need to be opened or closed, and that could cause this type of leakage when filling the tank up? Where are the overflow lines anyway?

Typical Beneteau plumbing scheme is to have a overflow hose plumbed to an outside vent - looks like a holding tank vent on the side of the hull. If you're leaking inside check the access port to the tank. If that is secure then you'll have to check the hoses. If I recall our 86 first 30 had tank access port that was a PIA to remove and replace.

 

[shyamh]

I suppose the only way to confirm the access ports are leaking is to fill it to the top again ... I will do that and report back. Thanks for the tips.