Just took delivery of a 1989 Catalina 30 this afternoon. The boat has had a foul ordor for a few months, the surveyor did not even notice it and commented that the boat seemed to have few if any odors. I had some oily residue in the bilge so I was concerned it could be an exhaust leak or worse. The boat was dropped into the water, and when I climbed aboad the smell hit me like a ton of bricks. We motored to another marina, and then I started the search for the smell. When I lifted the seat of the head, there it was. I guess the PO never bothered to completly pump out the holding tank prior to winter storage. I do not know if it is possible to completly pump it out. When I went to pump out waht was left in the bowl the shaft of the pump seemed to be quite wet and there was some water around the pump handle. Is this normal, or is it time for a rebuild kit? I have never had a built-in head, my only experience is with porta-potties. Also, what is the function of the macerator pump? I know these are silly questions, but this is all new to me.
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Heads and odors
Warren I understand your questions, especially with a new to you boat with different systems. You've come to the right place, here, about heads and odors. Suggest you do a lot of archive searching under "Head Mistress." It's getting rather inconsiderate of us to keep asking Peggie to answer the same questions over and over again when with a little bit of research on our own we could read what's been posted. Also, buy Nigel Calders book Boatowner's Manual to find oout all you need to know. Your C30 Asociation will be very helpful on their website, and the C34 website is also very good, as the C30 and C34 systems are similar. You can keep asking questions, which is good, but need to also do, as mom used to say, "your own homework." Good luck. Stu
Warren I understand your questions, especially with a new to you boat with different systems. You've come to the right place, here, about heads and odors. Suggest you do a lot of archive searching under "Head Mistress." It's getting rather inconsiderate of us to keep asking Peggie to answer the same questions over and over again when with a little bit of research on our own we could read what's been posted. Also, buy Nigel Calders book Boatowner's Manual to find oout all you need to know. Your C30 Asociation will be very helpful on their website, and the C34 website is also very good, as the C30 and C34 systems are similar. You can keep asking questions, which is good, but need to also do, as mom used to say, "your own homework." Good luck. Stu
Warren, Sorry to hear about the present th PO left you in the head. Easy stuff first. The macerator pump is used to empty the holding tank into the water. This can be done three mines offshore in most areas but check for local regs. As for the holding tank stuff. It can be pumped fully and when the boat is being readied for haulout I pump mine, fill it with fresh water, repump, fill it again and run the macerator to clean that out. Then I put in a couple of gallons of water and potable antifreeze for the winter. The head pump sonds like it may be ready for a rebuild. It's possible the the rubber rings have dried out and a bit of use may be all they need. In long island sound you may have issues in the summer with the first flush stinking to high heaven when you get to the boat on Friday nights. This can happen when small shrimp and stuff are caught in between the closed seacock and the headpump... The die in there over the week and when you pump the head it can really smell... I use an in-line deodorizer and never have this problem any more. Regards, Chris
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