Holding Tank Input, Please

[Kper]

When we purchased our C25 it had a hint of septic tank smell but knowing we were going to go through the entire boat it didn't overly concern us. My question is this - I have read that some of the hoses and even the plastic holding tank can absorb and put off the undesirable smell associated with its purpose. We are replacing the head and it's at this time that I'm wondering if we shouldn't replace the tank and associated hoses as well. On the Catalina the head and tank are literally on opposite sides of the bulkhead so there isn't much plumbing involved.

As I'm writing this I just remembered (unfiltered thoughts) that we have a Y-valve installed between the tank and the pump-out with a maceration pump on the other leg of the Y. Not sure why but the boat originally came from North Carolina, is there a use for these pumps in open water? I wonder if the smell could be originating from that hose off the Y?

Thank you.

 

[dlewis812]

when i first had the 25 the smell was really bad. although not the tank, replaced hoses with the new head. 10 years later still no smell!

(just installed new head on the 30 and replaced hoses and again made a huge difference)

 

[Kper]

Is there a good source for the hoses you purchased? I hear some hoses are better than others for holding odors and it sounds like yours are doing well.

 

[MSN-Travelers]

Start with the hoses.

The hoses tend to be the problem, especially with older boats. The tank is rarely a problem.

The maceration pump is a secondary method of empting the contents of the holding tank. Typically, the Y-valve is used to direct the goodies to the holding tank while in one position and the contents of the holding tank flow to the maceration pump when in the other position.

The maceration pump grinds the goodies into small bits as there are discharged overboard. This type system is illegal in many areas such as the Great Lakes. I see you in Iowa so I doubt you will find any location where it can legally be used. Ocean discharge of untreated sewage is allowed if you were at least 12 miles offshore.

 

[Kper]

In regards to the pump, would it then be feasible to use the pump to pump out to a septic tank?... Not that I ever intend to be in a situation to use that but who knows. The boat was originally from the Carolinas so maybe the original intention was to pump out at sea.

I guess my next question would be - would it be best to eliminate the Y valve and pump at this point?

Can these pumps pull a prime? In other words, if I eliminated the pump could I use it at a later date to pump out my tank by attaching it to the pump out if I ever had the need?

We don't intend to ever sail this boat in open water and even if we did, I can't see us 12 miles from shore.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Our boat smelled pretty badly and it wasn't easy to get rid of the smell. AT a minimum, you will need to replace the hoses. Our toilet smelled badly despite how clean it looked (and it functioned perfectly). I threw it away and replaced it because cleaning it several times didn't rid the smell. Finally, I cut an access port in the top of the tank to clean the interior with Pine Sol. That seems to have worked. As long as I can clean the interior of the tank, I will leave it in place because removing it would be a large project due to the obstacles (and probably cutting out a fiberglass platform under the bow berth). We have access to a pump-out station on the lake (as inconvenient as it is) and our boat may be used where it is possible to discharge off-shore in the future. So we prefer to have a conventional system.

If you don't have access to a pump-out station and your boat isn't likely to ever see salt water again, your best option may be to remove all of the components and install a porta-potti. That's probably the best option for your occasional need to discharge. If you are like us, we rarely use the toilet, now.

You can do basically whatever works best for you. If that means replacing the macerator pump, then do it. It may have an odor that you can't rid, just as the hoses definitely do, and possibly other components as well. I found that I couldn't eliminate the odor by trying to be selective, just get rid of all offending components, it's not worth the effort to try to preserve. I also couldn't tell exactly which components were offensive when they were all together. For instance, I never guessed the toilet smelled so bad until I took it out and realized that it stunk all the way to the curb! As clean as it looked, I was very glad to see it hauled away!

 

[Kper]

We have already decided to replace the toilet since the admiral says it's not staying and the hoses, Y and pump are going as well. That leaves us with the plastic holding tank, which has about a 2" plug in the top and I will be removing the tank for a complete cleaning once I get the system pumped and flushed. I will then reinstall the tank with new hoses and toilet.

I'm hoping that does it.

It's not like it's overpowering but, before we gutted the boat (short of the black tank system) the smell was only noticeable after it had been closed up. I had the tank pumped Monday to find it was about half full and if I go by when the PO said the boat was last floated, the tank has been sitting half full for about 2 yrs. I going to try to get the tank pumped and COMPLETELY flushed tomorrow and start the removal process. Wish me luck.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

As a former sailboat dealer, generally the smell came from the line between the head and holding tank. It is true that hoses will accumulate that ungodful smell and replacing is a key. Before you do this, try flushing some white vinegar into the head and let it sit in the hose for about a week. See if that helps. If not, replace the hose. As for the Y valve, probably the boat went off shore from North Carolina and dumped overboard. However, inland is not allowed. I would strongly suggest for the time being with the Y valve on, make sure it is closed and take a tie wrap and tie the handle in the closed position. If ever boarded and the authorities do not see that handle tied in the closed position could mean an expensive fine particularly the Coast Guard

 

[Anonymous 121765]

K,

Different states have different rules concerning "Y" valves for o'board waste.

Here in Florida, there has to be a lock on the valve inside of state waters.
I liked what Scott advised to use a porta potti. If you have a pump-out station to use, remove the overboard connections & pump it out at the dock.

CR

 

[Gunni]

I had the tank pumped Monday to find it was about half full and if I go by when the PO said the boat was last floated, the tank has been sitting half full for about 2 yrs. ...

You definitely need to clean that tank. Try pouring 1 cup of liquid dishwasher detergent into the tank and fill the tank with water. You could just go sailing and let the motion do the cleaning. Or you could do this with the tank out of the boat. Do not use dishwater detergent as a regular tank addititve - it is just for extreme "crustiness". If you replace the hoses, don't forget to replace the vent line, and clean the vent dorade.

 

[Jackdaw]

K,

Different states have different rules concerning "Y" valves for o'board waste.

Here in Florida, there has to be a lock on the valve inside of state waters.
I liked what Scott advised to use a porta potti. If you have a pump-out station to use, remove the overboard connections & pump it out at the dock.

CR

CFR 159.7 is the definitive US regulation:

When operating a vessel on a body of water where the discharge of treated or untreated sewage is prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 140.3 or 140.4, the operator must secure each Type I or Type II or Type III device in a manner which prevents discharge of treated or untreated sewage. Acceptable methods of securing the device include—

(1) Closing the seacock and removing the handle;
(2) Padlocking the seacock in the closed position;
(3) Using a non-releasable wire-tie to hold the seacock in the closed position;
(4) Locking the door to the space enclosing the toilets with a padlock or door handle key lock.

 

[Scott B]

Our boat had a bad smell when we got it and I traced it down to the hose from the tank to the macerator. It was downhill from the tank to the pump so stuff accumilated in the hose. We'll never be off-shore with this boat so the macerator will never be used. I removed the pump, hose and capped off the tank and use the thru-hull for a wash-down pump. No more smell.

 

[Kper]

I will try the recommendations here before pulling the system out. Heaven knows I don't really want to crack that system open.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Ron20324]

Our boat had a bad smell when we got it and I traced it down to the hose from the tank to the macerator. It was downhill from the tank to the pump so stuff accumilated in the hose. ....

Always a good idea to follow macerator use with a flush of "clean" water to clear the pipes and especially the gook out of the blades. Shut the mac valve before head use to keep future flushes out of that hose. Also it's a good idea to do that if you have a Y valve between the head and the tank. Flush the lazy hose!