Holding Tank Air Vent Location

[blueboat]

I cannot figure out where the location of the holding tank air vent is on the outside of my 1993 42' Hunter Passage. I had a clog at the connection to the tank that I'm replacing and thought it might be a good idea to run water through from the outside in? Any suggestions, pictures are great for this dullard.
Thanks,

 

[Finally Free]

If it is the same as ours it is on the starboard side. About in line with the bulkhead that seperation the saloon from the front head.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I think you should always flush the vent each time you do a pump-out if at all possible. Prevention is best.

As for locating the vent location, if another 42' owner can't direct you to it, you can always use your nose. Better yet, have someone else use their nose.....

 

[Finally Free]

It isn't the best layout as it runs almost 4 feet forward instead of just straight up......

 

[Finally Free]

Thought about it just a little more and it is further forward as we had to fight the forward shower faucet when we replaced the vent line last year. Did it when we replaced the holding tank.
It is the only thing on the starboard side up high near the toe rail

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

It isn't the best layout as it runs almost 4 feet forward instead of just straight up......

Four feet forward at an angle is much BETTER than straight up.

Blueboat, once you find the thru-hull, replace it with an open bulkhead thru-hull--one you can stick your finger in. Boat builders use vent thru-hulls that are actually designed for fuel tank vent lines on all tanks 'cuz it's cheaper to buy the same ones in bulk..and while "vent" thru-hulls are ok for fuel and water, they're a horrible choice for waste tanks 'cuz they don't allow the free exchange of air necessary to keep a tank aerobic and therefore odor free. An open thru-hull also allows you to stick a hose nozzle against to backflush the vent line every time you wash the pump...preventing vent line blockages.

If your vent line is longer than about 5' and has bends in it, this would also be a great time to just install a new vent thru-hull in a better place instead of swapping out the one you have...it won't hurt anything if there's no hose connected to it.

 

[Terry Cox]

P42 Holding Tank Vent

Our 1991 holding tank through hull scupper is a Perko brand (see link below) normally used for fuel and water tanks. Ours is located starboard side, just forward of the tank location. After evacuating our tank I rinse with fresh water until the water evacuates clear. I then use the city water to squirt an ample amount back through the vent to make sure the line is clear. I've been doing it this way for years and have always had a smooth operating head system on our boat. The second link is an article that I wrote sometime ago and includes a more detailed description of the steps that I take to keep our head system operating smoothly.

http://greatlakesskipper.com/perko-0509dp5chr-chrome-plated-bronze-3-4-inch-boat-fuel-gas-vent

http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/mods.php?task=article&mid=45&aid=6003&mn=42

 

[Bill Murray]

Re: P42 Holding Tank Vent

Terry Cox --- In your referenced article, you mention "4. Using a special city water hose adapter that fits over the vent scupper I force fresh water back through the vent line to make sure that it is clear."What is this special adapter???

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Seems to me that replacing the "vent" thru-hull with an open bulkhead thru-hull that you can put a hose nozzle up against to back flush the ventl line is a much simpler solution than tracking down--and keeping track of--an adapter that fits thru-hull that doesn't belong on a waste tank vent line, but is only there because boat builders use the same vent thru-hulls on all tanks because it costs 'em less to buy the same thing in bulk than to buy the best thing for each application.

 

[Terry Cox]

Holding Tank Vent

Hi Bill, we had a plant watering wand at home that was wearing out. The nozzle was of the right size to fit over the vent scupper, so I removed the screen from the nozzle and use it to squirt city water back into the vent line to keep it clear. The nozzle looks very close to the one in the link below. I keep a small plastic container on board just for the purpose of tank pump outs; spray nozzle, this little adapter, waterproof gloves, etc.

Hope this helps.

http://www.amazon.com/Dramm-Lemonhe...41587264&sr=8-31&keywords=plant+Watering+wand