Fellow H37c owners, So my original, aluminum holding tank finally let loose (at the "output" fitting). I knew I was living on borrowed time with this, thanks to reading other owners' reviews. Now it's my turn to deal with it. Since I live on the boat during the work week, this project has a little urgency attached to it. I've cut away the glassing on the forward end of the tank (the "wall" between the tank and the forward cabin starboard locker). But the tank is still firmly lodged. Before I get too carried away in the cutting department, I wondered if any of you who have already dealt with this: -- Recall if there are other places where the tank is tabbed that have to be cut. -- Have any other words of wisdom about getting this puppy out. FYI, I've decided that 1) I'm taking the old tank out (I know some of you have opted to plug up the orifices and leave it be) and 2) I'd rather not have to cut through on the shower stall side if that's possible. Thanks, John Reid Cheese 'n Crackers Norwalk, CT john.patti.reid@juno.com
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Crappy Job
It's a crappy job but someone has to do it, seems as you have elected yourself. After cutting the same section out that you mentioned, I used pliers, channel locks, screwdrivers and all the other tools of destruction to rip the tank apart and pull the pieces out the hole. It's not too bad once you get the first chunk out, the tank will fold upon itself and enable you to remove the sides and bottom (whats left) in one piece. I'm sure there are easier ways but you do get a little feeling of satisfaction (revenge?)by beating the crap out of the tank. Best of luck, replace with a bladder or put a new tank under the Vee berth. Kalaukia
It's a crappy job but someone has to do it, seems as you have elected yourself. After cutting the same section out that you mentioned, I used pliers, channel locks, screwdrivers and all the other tools of destruction to rip the tank apart and pull the pieces out the hole. It's not too bad once you get the first chunk out, the tank will fold upon itself and enable you to remove the sides and bottom (whats left) in one piece. I'm sure there are easier ways but you do get a little feeling of satisfaction (revenge?)by beating the crap out of the tank. Best of luck, replace with a bladder or put a new tank under the Vee berth. Kalaukia
Tank Removal
John, When my tank gave way (at the "optimal" location of the bottom seam) I cut away part of glass between it and the v-berth storage and then used a cut-off wheel to hack the tank up and take it out in pieces. No tabbing on mine. Just held in place by in/out fittings thru glass. Replaced with bladder which occupies storage area under v-berth adjacent to former tank. Note: on bladder install -- be sure and vent from highest point on bladder in its final installed position -- seems obvious...just after you finish the install... Enjoy!, Curtis
John, When my tank gave way (at the "optimal" location of the bottom seam) I cut away part of glass between it and the v-berth storage and then used a cut-off wheel to hack the tank up and take it out in pieces. No tabbing on mine. Just held in place by in/out fittings thru glass. Replaced with bladder which occupies storage area under v-berth adjacent to former tank. Note: on bladder install -- be sure and vent from highest point on bladder in its final installed position -- seems obvious...just after you finish the install... Enjoy!, Curtis
First, read the article "replacing hoses"
in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library. Nothing can make the job pleasant, but it will be a lot less UNpleasant if you do. As for a replacement tank, I recommend Ronco Plastics...they make TOP quality, thick-walled roto-molded tanks, and have more than 400 shapes and sizes--over 100 of which are non-rectangular--to choose from..and for a VERY reasonable price. I'd bet they have one that will fit your space. And you can spec your own fittings sizes and locations, to be installed by them when the tank is made. Their catalog is on their website at: http://www.ronco-plastics.com They're great people to work with, too.
in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library. Nothing can make the job pleasant, but it will be a lot less UNpleasant if you do. As for a replacement tank, I recommend Ronco Plastics...they make TOP quality, thick-walled roto-molded tanks, and have more than 400 shapes and sizes--over 100 of which are non-rectangular--to choose from..and for a VERY reasonable price. I'd bet they have one that will fit your space. And you can spec your own fittings sizes and locations, to be installed by them when the tank is made. Their catalog is on their website at: http://www.ronco-plastics.com They're great people to work with, too.
37 Cutter holding tank
Ther is no Ronco tank that fits the 37 cutter, and I looked through the entire catalog. The easiest solution is to put a flexable tank where the old tank was. A stock rectangular tank will fit under the v-berth, but not very well, and it takes up a lot of storage space. A third alternative is a custom welded polyethlene tank. I tried a different route. I cut out (carefully) the starboard side of the v-berth, and made a plywood tank heavily fiberglassed with epoxy inside and outside which fits in the original location. It is working perfectly, with no smell, but it was a lot of work and time to make the tank. West epoxy people stated that the epoxy will last a very long time without breaking down. I hope they are right. If I were to do this again, I would probably try to see if I could put a large flexable tank under the raised section of the floor at the v-berth. I has a look there while working on my boat, and it looks like there is a lot of unused room there. By the way, ther is a very large section in the archives for this tank. Everybody who has an old Hunter has holding tank problems.
Ther is no Ronco tank that fits the 37 cutter, and I looked through the entire catalog. The easiest solution is to put a flexable tank where the old tank was. A stock rectangular tank will fit under the v-berth, but not very well, and it takes up a lot of storage space. A third alternative is a custom welded polyethlene tank. I tried a different route. I cut out (carefully) the starboard side of the v-berth, and made a plywood tank heavily fiberglassed with epoxy inside and outside which fits in the original location. It is working perfectly, with no smell, but it was a lot of work and time to make the tank. West epoxy people stated that the epoxy will last a very long time without breaking down. I hope they are right. If I were to do this again, I would probably try to see if I could put a large flexable tank under the raised section of the floor at the v-berth. I has a look there while working on my boat, and it looks like there is a lot of unused room there. By the way, ther is a very large section in the archives for this tank. Everybody who has an old Hunter has holding tank problems.
Flex tanks are very good as a last resort!
John/Ed: Flexible tanks are like cheap sewage hose. They are good for a while and then they stink too. If it were me, I'd do anything (including spending more money) before I'd put in a flex tank.
John/Ed: Flexible tanks are like cheap sewage hose. They are good for a while and then they stink too. If it were me, I'd do anything (including spending more money) before I'd put in a flex tank.
Steve/Ed, not so fast!
My bladder tank(30 gal.) in the center v-berth has held up extremely well. I've used it three seasons and I know the previous owner had it at least that long. No odor and no problems. But I do plan to replace it this winter with a Ronco. And despite Ed's warning I think "tank #3" of the 30 gal. size on the Ronco web-site will fit(use "Tank Search" and select 30). I'll have to cut the center v-berth opening larger. I will loose storage space. I plan to get some of that back by putting a door in the front of that center v-berth section. There will be lots of space under the tank. And that is also where the thru-hulls live for log and depth.
My bladder tank(30 gal.) in the center v-berth has held up extremely well. I've used it three seasons and I know the previous owner had it at least that long. No odor and no problems. But I do plan to replace it this winter with a Ronco. And despite Ed's warning I think "tank #3" of the 30 gal. size on the Ronco web-site will fit(use "Tank Search" and select 30). I'll have to cut the center v-berth opening larger. I will loose storage space. I plan to get some of that back by putting a door in the front of that center v-berth section. There will be lots of space under the tank. And that is also where the thru-hulls live for log and depth.
No bladder no way!
When I bought my 37c five years ago the tank had already been replaced so I was saved that agony. Unfortunately it had been replaced with a bladder-five gallon in size and hung sideways under the v-berth. To compound the problem the vent hose was hung with a down loop and the manual pump for pump out was an old gusher with a leaky diaphram. Result was that the tank had about a two gallon holding capacity before overflowing, the vent hose would siphon, and we won't go anywhere about using the hand pump which was the only way to empty the tank. My soulution was to glass a shelf in the v-berth compartment and install a ten gallon tank, the largest I could get through the hole without cutting into the fiberglass, then install a locking y-valve with a maciator on the overboard side. I lost some storage space but it cured the aromatic nature of the beast for now. Bladders may be okay for water storage but for anything else they stink.
When I bought my 37c five years ago the tank had already been replaced so I was saved that agony. Unfortunately it had been replaced with a bladder-five gallon in size and hung sideways under the v-berth. To compound the problem the vent hose was hung with a down loop and the manual pump for pump out was an old gusher with a leaky diaphram. Result was that the tank had about a two gallon holding capacity before overflowing, the vent hose would siphon, and we won't go anywhere about using the hand pump which was the only way to empty the tank. My soulution was to glass a shelf in the v-berth compartment and install a ten gallon tank, the largest I could get through the hole without cutting into the fiberglass, then install a locking y-valve with a maciator on the overboard side. I lost some storage space but it cured the aromatic nature of the beast for now. Bladders may be okay for water storage but for anything else they stink.
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