H26.5 Marine head

Crazy Dave Condon · Oct 29, 2013

Usually a fixed holding tank will be vented and there should be in the aft mostly on the port side an opening filler for better lack of terms that should say waste. You will pump out the tank from there.

As for winterization, never use the toxic anti freeze used in vehicles. You will need to use RV non toxic antifreeze and I mean non toxic. I would pour it down the head and flush and then leave some of it in the holding tank after it has been pumped out.

Crazy Dave Condon · Oct 30, 2013

regular anti freeze is very toxic and even a cap full of that will kill animals like your pet dog or cat. In addition it is not good for the environment and is very harmful. All states do not allow that into the waters. A good example back in the 80's in Hopewell, VA, a company threw that mess into the James River which the river from Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay was closed down to swimming, fishing both commercial and pleasure, water drawn for drinking and agriculture and so on which was international news.

In fact, one Boy Scout camp which allowed a staffer who did not have the experience to work on boats nor taught him the dangers and even allowed him to keep running the boat put antifreeze (toxic) into the boat which was loosing over a gallon a day into a lake continue as the camp director and program director allowed it. When the powers to be found out, the boat was pulled and all were admonished for it. In fact the state water control board found out but since the incident had been resolved quickly with the boat coming out, there was no action which I was able to resolve that.

So, I would use the non toxic RV antifreeze. Would you want to put your head into a bucket of water with traces of toxic anti freeze in it? Think about it.

crazy dave

Bob 04 H260 · Oct 30, 2013

all of the above is good advice.
I also live in a cold climate (Canada) and around here most sailors flush and pump the holding tank well just before the boat is hauled. Then disconnect the head water supply hose from the thru-hull and place it in a jug of rv-antifreeze pump the head to run it through the head and flush the hose going to the holding tank. In the spring just reconnect the hose and pump some fresh water through the head.

good luck, Bob

TIM22904 · Oct 31, 2013

I believe the 26.5 came with a porta-pottie from the factory. Mine has a built-in water tank only and a porta-pottie for other plumbing needs.
Hope this helps.
Tim

Jackdaw · Oct 31, 2013

Worldwalker88 said:
Why non-toxic for the head? In part V page 1 of the owner's manual for winterization of the head, it specifially says "ethyleneglycol automotive antifreeze."

That was common practice 25 years ago, when your boat was built.

TIM22904 · Nov 1, 2013

A marine head is a fixed unit with bowl, separate holding tank and all associated piping and hoses attached to the boat. A porta-potty is a self contained unit with the bowl portion sitting on top of the holding tank, all clamped to the boat but removable.
I daysail mostly and overnight occasionally so I prefer the PP.
Its simple and easy to winterize but must be emptied manually.

Tim

TIM22904 · Nov 1, 2013

I think the specs say 18 gal. for the freshwater tank but mine look more like 12 gal.

Manually means the bottom portion (waste tank) must be removed and emptied in your toilet. Its not as bad as it sound. Been doing this for two boat and 16 years.
VERY SIMPLE !
Tim

ben solomon · Nov 4, 2013

I have also read of people using inexpsive vodka in the plumbing lines to prevent freeze damage. That way there is no issues about toxicity. I am a "new" 1990 legend 37.5 owner and I am planning on using Vodka.

ben solomon · Nov 4, 2013

That's a great response!! I laughed out loud. Thanks.

Ben

thinwater · Nov 4, 2013

Crazy Dave Condon said:
regular anti freeze is very toxic and even a cap full of that will kill animals like your pet dog or cat. In addition it is not good for the environment and is very harmful....

So, I would use the non toxic RV antifreeze. Would you want to put your head into a bucket of water with traces of toxic anti freeze in it? Think about it.

crazy dave

This post is QUITE incorrect. Please, research before posting.

a. The reason for using automotive AF (ethylene glycol) in some heads is that RV AF (propylene glycol) is incompatible with the neoprene parts in some brands of marine heads. If the parts are neoprene, use EG or drain. The manufacture certainly researched this and was not wrong.

b. Pets and children do not drink black water. The black water should be pumped out to a POTW in most cases (pump-outs are generally required in inland waters and certainly for the OP's boat--no treatment system), where the EG is slightly more biodegradable than PG. Comments re. human and mammal toxicity are off topic and effects on POTW systems are incorrect.

c. Aquatic toxicity for both EG and PG are equal. Human toxicity after diluted into a river is clearly negligible, since glycols, like drinking alcohol (also toxic), it needs to be at material levels to be toxic. This is nothing like pesticides and heavy metals and discussing in that manner is unrevealing and incorrect. The example of a large chemical spill in Hopewell (industrial city) is likewise irrelevant to the discussion; a large molasses spill recently made global headlines for fish kills. Any connection of these sort of events to winterization presents an obvious logical falicy.

Please read the links below, including one from the USEPA.

http://www.practical-sailor.com/blog/-11059-1.html

http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/airport/upload/2005_10_07_guide_airport_airport.pdf

Crazy Dave Condon · Nov 5, 2013

Thinwater;

Every RV that is winterized uses what is referred to as RV non toxic anti freeze which is quite safe. Even those boats left in the water in cold climates when winterized uses the same as it is safe if discharged into the environment. The use of regular car antifreeze is very toxic and harmful if discharged into the water or even used in the fresh water lines.

First, I am not a chemist and there are many different compounds used in every product with different chemicals that are tested by the FDA and other sources before being allowed on the market. Their labels are very specific as to use and care.

As for all the parts used in RV's many of which can be found on boats, the RV non toxic antifreeze has never really been an issue on detoriation of those parts which many are replaced due to age/misuse/improper manufacturing and so on.

Therefore, I would never suggest the introduction of regular toxic antifreeze into any system other than the engine for internal cooling. I err on the side of safety and I think most will agree.

As for Hopewell, VA oh yes that was a big stink and it was international news. The state water control board of Virginia is very well attuned to that issue.

dave condon