Holding Tank Auto Fill?

[Russ Smith]

Hi EveryoneI have a 79 model Catalina 30....I'm very happy with it, generally.The boat is equipped with a head that is connected to plumbing that includes to Y valves. The valve closest to the head, that selects between waste moving toward the holding tank and from the holding tank to the pump out port. froze and I changed it...a difficult task.But, my problem, I notice that the holding tank fills with sea water in a very short time....about an hour, after being pumped out. I'm assuming that the sea water in leaking through the Y valve that selects between dumping the head overboard or to the holding tank. There is a sea cock on the overboard waste line, which I've closed, but have not been back to the boat to see wheather the holding tank is still empty.So, my question, is it normal for this Y valve to allow sea water to leak in to the blader type holding tank with the sea cock open.....or is it a normal procedure to keep the sea cock closed except when it is being used? Do I need to change the Y valve nearest the holding tank?Russ

 

[Rhet Tignor]

holding tank

There are two ways for water to get into the holding tank. You have found the first which is a defective "Y" valve.The other is via the macerator line. It has a seacock on the thru-hull. It shouldn't be able to back through - but somewhere in the system it could be defective. Close the seacock and see if your water problem goes away.

 

[Larry Watkins]

seawater in holding tank

Russ; I used to have a C-30. On one of my first trips to the island, I left the seawater intake open to make it easier for the ladies aboard to use the head. The forward motion of the boat forced water up the hose and into the tank somehow. Keeping the intake closed while underway stopped the water from coming in. Larry.

 

[Erik Karlsson]

Holding Tank

I solved my salt water in the holding tank problem by installing a ball valvewith a large handle purchased from the local hardware store. I installed it between the holding tank and the Y valve.Now I can sail with the seacock open.