Fresh Water Flush

[Captain Bob]

Peggie, my wife is convinced that I need to convert our head to fresh water flush. I have a separate through hull and line for the intake now which I intend to reroute to the line for the sink drain. I will keep the unused through hull closed, but is there something more permanant I need to do? Does it matter how far up to the actual sink drain I cut in the tee for the head flush water? It would seem that If I was able to cut in close to the bottom of the sink that I might be above the water line which is to my mind always a good thing. Does it really make any difference?

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Cut into the head intake line close to the seacock

That makes sure the entire head intake line gets a good rinse. The tee (or wye) doesn't go in the sink drain line, it goes in the head intake line...so you won't cut into the sink drain line at all except to install a shut-off valve conveniently located under the sink, which stays closed except when the sink is actually in use. Otherwise, the head will pull air from the sink and can't prime. You really don't need to convert entirely to fresh water flush through the sink to solve your intake odor problems. It's only stagnant sea water that causes intake odor...all you need to do to get rid of it is rinse out the system with fresh water before closing up the boat each time--or every few days if you're living aboard.

 

[Calvin Smith]

New to This

I will be taking possession of a H26 in the next 3 weeks. Sailing I know something about but heads I do not. The boat comes equipped with a marine head with holding tank. The only problem is that the are we intend to sail in does not have any facilites for pumping out. I have thought about removing the marine head and replacing it with a porta potty but there must be some other way to handle this problem. I an not familiar with the specifics of the system on the boat other than it works and the owner spent big $ to have it installed. Any help appreciated.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Calvin, we should prob'ly talk...

...instead of type. 'Cuz before I give you any advice, I have a lot of questions. E-mail me (peghall@bellsouth.net) and I'll give you a phone number.

 

[Keith]

On my old 30 and now my 36 I have done the same. Just above the through hull valve I installed a "T". The straight side to the sink, the "T" to the head intake. Now when we need to flush the head, all we need to do is pour some water into the sink. Because we T'd very low on the line, there is no problem with air suction if we should want to open the sink drain to either use outside water to flush or drain the sink. Normally, just washing our hands and etc seems to work out just right for the amount of water needed to flush.Works very well for us and now that the thru hull valve is always closed, there is less to worry about. One nice thing about the conversion is that it can easily be used either way. Just open the valve!