I purchased my 87 31' Hunter this past winter. Now that the boat is in the water I am having problems sleeping in the forward berth. The smell from the holding tank is quite strong. I plan on pumping out the holding tank next weekend. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Chip
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HEAD MISTRESS
Chip: Check out the posting in the Head Mistress section. Peggy has lots of great ideas (good since she is in the business!). I've got an '85 H31 and changed the hoses several years ago along with the "Y" valve. Terrible, smelly job but solved my own malordous problem. In the interim, I recommend you flush your tank with many, many gallons of FRESH water and then wrap your waste lines in plastic wrap (Saran Wrap or similar). The wrap will help keep the smells contained for a while. If you can, every time you clean the boat for now on after a trip (no matter what else you do), pump fresh water through your holding tank. You wouldn't believe the number of little sea critters that get into the lines and then really STINK when they quickly die! Good luck! Tim L. (S/V "TIDE") PS: Of course you could just invest in a good bucket!.......and of course ONLY use it offshore!
Chip: Check out the posting in the Head Mistress section. Peggy has lots of great ideas (good since she is in the business!). I've got an '85 H31 and changed the hoses several years ago along with the "Y" valve. Terrible, smelly job but solved my own malordous problem. In the interim, I recommend you flush your tank with many, many gallons of FRESH water and then wrap your waste lines in plastic wrap (Saran Wrap or similar). The wrap will help keep the smells contained for a while. If you can, every time you clean the boat for now on after a trip (no matter what else you do), pump fresh water through your holding tank. You wouldn't believe the number of little sea critters that get into the lines and then really STINK when they quickly die! Good luck! Tim L. (S/V "TIDE") PS: Of course you could just invest in a good bucket!.......and of course ONLY use it offshore!
Holding tank odors
I had a similar odor problem. One avenue which proved helpful was to place a container of Arm & Hammer kitty litter in the vacinity of the holding tank. I also used this to help with the odor of the diesel fuel in the engine compartment.
I had a similar odor problem. One avenue which proved helpful was to place a container of Arm & Hammer kitty litter in the vacinity of the holding tank. I also used this to help with the odor of the diesel fuel in the engine compartment.
use white vinegar
as per the Head Mistress suggestion. We had the same issue, and we pumped out, put in a gallon of white vinegar, added some water, pumped out and repeated three times. Amazing what you can "flush" out with the stuff. Now, each time we pump out we do it twice, the second with the white vinegar. We, also, use the blue liquid between pump outs. No problems - at all, now! Oh yeah, one other thing that Peggy Hall recommends: use plenty of water to keep urine and other "critters" from laying in your lines. She knows her stuff - as I took her advice to heart and it worked! Good luck.
as per the Head Mistress suggestion. We had the same issue, and we pumped out, put in a gallon of white vinegar, added some water, pumped out and repeated three times. Amazing what you can "flush" out with the stuff. Now, each time we pump out we do it twice, the second with the white vinegar. We, also, use the blue liquid between pump outs. No problems - at all, now! Oh yeah, one other thing that Peggy Hall recommends: use plenty of water to keep urine and other "critters" from laying in your lines. She knows her stuff - as I took her advice to heart and it worked! Good luck.
P.U.
Unfortunately the vinyl they use and the Poly tanks are permiable to waste odors. This means the plastic and hoses become permently stinky. A good way to see if this is your problem is to take a clean cloth (like a t shirt or wash cloth) and rub the hoses vigorously with it for a few seconds. Then smell the rag. It sounds gross (and is) but it will tell you if the smell has permanently saturated the material. we changes all hoses and tank and fixed the problem good. Don't skimp on head hose! Get the kind that has the best resistance to permiation. Doug
Unfortunately the vinyl they use and the Poly tanks are permiable to waste odors. This means the plastic and hoses become permently stinky. A good way to see if this is your problem is to take a clean cloth (like a t shirt or wash cloth) and rub the hoses vigorously with it for a few seconds. Then smell the rag. It sounds gross (and is) but it will tell you if the smell has permanently saturated the material. we changes all hoses and tank and fixed the problem good. Don't skimp on head hose! Get the kind that has the best resistance to permiation. Doug
Odor INside the boat and holding tank odor...
Are seldom related. Read two articles in the HM forum Reference Library: "Head Related Odors..." and "Boat Odor Isn't ALL in Your Head." I suspect you have the same problem Erich does: permeated hoses. He's posted his question in two forums...check out both for all the comments (or--Phil...can you consolidate this thread as a HM topic?)
Are seldom related. Read two articles in the HM forum Reference Library: "Head Related Odors..." and "Boat Odor Isn't ALL in Your Head." I suspect you have the same problem Erich does: permeated hoses. He's posted his question in two forums...check out both for all the comments (or--Phil...can you consolidate this thread as a HM topic?)
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