holding tank and radar dilemma.

[fred fuller]

i am in the process of changing my holding tank.if i use a y valve with a macerator do i need a vented loop. i would also like to know if anyone has mounted radar using the bracket advertised in the emporium on the backstay.my problem is how to get it up there. the split is 25 ft.off the deck.

 

[Ron Dague]

Vented Loop still necessary

I just installed a macerator on my h34, with a y-valve. My understanding is that the vented loop is necessary, to prevent one from forgetting to turn the Y-valve back to the pump-out direction, and the resultant possible siphon. Also, a leak at the wrong place, even with the y-valve turned to "pump-out" could still put you to the bottom.If I'm wrong, I'm sure mutiple people will let me know. (I won't even mention lawyers or add the legal aspects, seeing what that can do to response volume!)

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

I would install a vented loop...

You cannot have too many fail-safes in any system that has the potential to sink your boat. And btw...keep that seacock closed except when you're actually using the macerator.

 

[Doug B]

High wire act

Just an idea on how to get up to the backstay split. Keep in mind...its just an idea and if you tell your lawyer I said to do this I will deny it.If you take the bosuns chair up to the mast head with the main halyard and then tie a line to your harness (a couple feet long should do)and put a good shackle on the other end of the line and snap it over the backstay, if someone eased the halyard you should slide down the stay to the split and your weight and gravity should keep you on the right side of it. You would need to be winched back up to the top prior to releasing the line and you could also use your jib halyard as a backup.Most importantly....take all the tools you need up with you. Having wrenches tossed up to you can be hard on the gelcoat if missed. Just in case take a 20' long thin line to lower down that someone could tie parts and tools to. Good luck