Holding tank lines

[Gary]

I purchased an '86 Catalina 27 recently. The PO replaced all of the lines to the holding tank. He did not replace the line from the holding tank to the clean-out. the cleanout is located in the anchor compartment. I am not sure how to replace this as there is no access under the forward part of the v berth leading up to anchor well. Does the "fitting" in the anchor screw out. Also cleaning out the tank. Fill it with bleach to remove the smell?? Help

 

[Don]

Pumpout line

Take both teak trim strips out of the v-berth. Then remove the shelf. Them remove the access cover at the forward end of the v-berth. Before you go to all that trouble of changing the pumpout line, make sure you check the vent line. I have an 86 and the factory or PO ran 3/4in vent line and connected it to a 5/8in vent in the anchor locker. I put a reducer in place and cured 90% of my odor problem.

 

[Gary]

vent line

Don - Can you explain more about the reducer. This is my first boat. also I believe I need to access the vent line the same way as the pumpout line Thanks

 

[Dan]

aqua-chem

aqua-chem the stuff you buy at WalMart for pools is a great thing for the smell. every so often just a cap full will do the trick.

 

[Don]

Vent line - reply

Gary, the vent line can cause you more grief than any other single thing in the system. Remove all the wood pieces as previously mentioned. Unless yours has been modified, you will find the interior light wires run thru a hole in the teak strips. Saw a notch in the strips so you can remove them without cutting the wires. Start at the holding tank and inspect the fitting. If the vent hose looks very old, replace with new 3/4 inch odersafe hose. It is pricey, but worth it. Make sure there are no low spots in the hose that would allow liquid to stand and block air flow. Follow the hose up to the vent on the side of the anchor well. The sharp bend here can cause the hose to kink and cut off air flow. I added a 90 degree elbow (West Marine pn 1856236). Now you need to connect the 3/4inch hose to the vent, which is 5/8inch. I used a reducer (WM pn 1867001). Last but not least, check the vent itself for blockage in the screen.