Hello All! I would first like to heartily recommend Peggie Hall's volume on boat odors. It is a must have book for anyone's yacht maintenance library. My question, however, is specific to Cherubini vintage Hunter 30 owners; I'm installing a new head and holding tank on my 1978 Hunter 30. There currently is no holding tank and the previous owners used a small porta-pottie. It appears as though the old holding tank was located in the port side storage compartment in the v-berth. I say this due to the fact that there iw a y-valve and some old fittings still in there. At any rate, this is where I'm planning on installing the new holding tank. My question is, has anybody installed a holding tank in this portside storage compartment in their v-berth? If so, how large is your tank? What shape? Did you have to cut a larger opening to install it? IMPORTANT: Did this compromise the structural integrity of the v-berth? Did you simply fabricate a larger hatchboard to cover the space? Blah blah blah blah... I would very much appreciate it if some kind folks would take the time to give a detailed response. A photograph would absolutely rock, but any information would help. There may be beer in it for you.... Thank you in advance. -Todd Ciehomski
Holding Tank Location on Hunter 30
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Don't cut
Todd, I also had a vintage 1980 Cherubini Hunter 30 that had no holding tank when I bought it and I struggled with the problem of how to get a holding tank into one of the compartments under the v-berth. I did not want to cut into the fiberglass supporting the bunk and the tanks on the market were either not large enough &/or would not fit through the available openings. My solution was a 15 gallon flexible tank that I used in the port side compartment. It fits OK with enough room for access to the thru hull discharge and also to the Speedo which I had in that location. I added the deck pump-out and vent lines to the tank and all necessary valving. I removed the manual overboard pump. The tank and all hoses will also fit into the forward v-compartment. We kept the boat in a marina slip and used the on-shore heads most of the time. The 15 gallon capacity was more than sufficient for the weekend and overnight sailing that we did at the time. I recall a HOW posting from some time back with a description and photos from someone who did actually cut into the bunk. Check the Archives.
Todd, I also had a vintage 1980 Cherubini Hunter 30 that had no holding tank when I bought it and I struggled with the problem of how to get a holding tank into one of the compartments under the v-berth. I did not want to cut into the fiberglass supporting the bunk and the tanks on the market were either not large enough &/or would not fit through the available openings. My solution was a 15 gallon flexible tank that I used in the port side compartment. It fits OK with enough room for access to the thru hull discharge and also to the Speedo which I had in that location. I added the deck pump-out and vent lines to the tank and all necessary valving. I removed the manual overboard pump. The tank and all hoses will also fit into the forward v-compartment. We kept the boat in a marina slip and used the on-shore heads most of the time. The 15 gallon capacity was more than sufficient for the weekend and overnight sailing that we did at the time. I recall a HOW posting from some time back with a description and photos from someone who did actually cut into the bunk. Check the Archives.
I did a hard tank
I used a rectangular 15gal off the shelf tank. I had to make a suport floor for it to sit on and just open the hole alittle to get it in.
I used a rectangular 15gal off the shelf tank. I had to make a suport floor for it to sit on and just open the hole alittle to get it in.
Source for a tank...
I see no reason not to open up the top of the v-berth...it's not structural, and provides easy access to replace hoses, etc. Ronco Plastics (no relation to the Ronco that makes the Vegomatic, btw) is the most likely source for a tank that'll maximize the useable space in that location...they have more than 400 shapes and sizes, including over 100 non-rectangular, some of which are long skinny "wedges" to lie along the hull...one 'em might even fit through the existing opening, but it still could be a bear to put the hoses on unless you create better acccess. And they install fittings in the sizes and location specified by the customer when they make the tank. http://www.ronco-plastics.com When you're ready to order, I'll be glad to help you spec out the fittings locations if you want to send me an email...I'm in all the directories.
I see no reason not to open up the top of the v-berth...it's not structural, and provides easy access to replace hoses, etc. Ronco Plastics (no relation to the Ronco that makes the Vegomatic, btw) is the most likely source for a tank that'll maximize the useable space in that location...they have more than 400 shapes and sizes, including over 100 non-rectangular, some of which are long skinny "wedges" to lie along the hull...one 'em might even fit through the existing opening, but it still could be a bear to put the hoses on unless you create better acccess. And they install fittings in the sizes and location specified by the customer when they make the tank. http://www.ronco-plastics.com When you're ready to order, I'll be glad to help you spec out the fittings locations if you want to send me an email...I'm in all the directories.
Holding Tank
I have a 1980 H30 which came equiped with a 30 gal. bladder, which is located in the port side V-berth. You can buy bladder from BoatUS/West Marine. No holes to cut, conforms to the space it's installed in. Like I said mine is a 30 gal, but I believe a larger 40-45 gal would fit if the plumbing hoses are not in the way.
I have a 1980 H30 which came equiped with a 30 gal. bladder, which is located in the port side V-berth. You can buy bladder from BoatUS/West Marine. No holes to cut, conforms to the space it's installed in. Like I said mine is a 30 gal, but I believe a larger 40-45 gal would fit if the plumbing hoses are not in the way.
Bladders aren't the best choice for sewage holding
They're ok (ok, but not great) for water and fuel, but the very nature of bladders makes 'em a marginal choice at best--iow, only for very occasional use, which isn't common in the US--for sewage holding. Their very nature (they hug the contents, no airspace above) makes it almost impossible to prevent horrible odor out the vent each time the head is flushed...they're HIGHLY prone to blow out a fitting at the slightest indication of a blocked tanks vent...and the average lifespan of a bladder is only about 15 years. A rigid plastic tank is the only recommended material for sewage holding.
They're ok (ok, but not great) for water and fuel, but the very nature of bladders makes 'em a marginal choice at best--iow, only for very occasional use, which isn't common in the US--for sewage holding. Their very nature (they hug the contents, no airspace above) makes it almost impossible to prevent horrible odor out the vent each time the head is flushed...they're HIGHLY prone to blow out a fitting at the slightest indication of a blocked tanks vent...and the average lifespan of a bladder is only about 15 years. A rigid plastic tank is the only recommended material for sewage holding.
Flex Tanks are Good
When i purchased my last boat, the holding tank was non-existant. I really thought long and hard about flex tanks but was still somewhat reluctant. I then spoke to live aboards that ACTUALLY have flex tanks installed on their boats and in service for 10 to 15 years. All were very satisified with them and on that i bought and installed one. I have it now for 5 years and never had a problem with the tanks or odors. I also had a bladder tank for my water tank. Bladder/Flex tanks have a large capacity for the areas that they fit, in that they contour to the shape. Vetus makes many sizes znd shapes.
When i purchased my last boat, the holding tank was non-existant. I really thought long and hard about flex tanks but was still somewhat reluctant. I then spoke to live aboards that ACTUALLY have flex tanks installed on their boats and in service for 10 to 15 years. All were very satisified with them and on that i bought and installed one. I have it now for 5 years and never had a problem with the tanks or odors. I also had a bladder tank for my water tank. Bladder/Flex tanks have a large capacity for the areas that they fit, in that they contour to the shape. Vetus makes many sizes znd shapes.
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