I have a Beneteau First 235. It's 15 years old, and I think the head has probably never been used, although the plumbing all seems to be in great condition. Now that the kids and wife are sailing with me a bit, we've had to 'Christen' the holding tank. Yesterday, there was a really bad 'holding tank' smell in the cabin for the first time. Three questions: (i) I 'dry flushed' the bowl when I left the boat last time - should I have left some water in the bowl instead, to prevent some sort of continuous air passage from the tank into the bowl? (ii) can anyone recommend a disinfectant/deodorizor I can flush through when leaving the boat? (iii) Other than a commercial pump-out station (which I gather is unavailable close to me), has anyone used some sort of manual pump out & catchment system to empty the holding tank? Any advice about use of the holding tank (other than "don't use it!" ... too late for that) will be much appreciated! Neil
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Portable Pump
Here's a link to a portable waste pump. www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-toilets-tanks/waste-water-pump-rv.htm Another option is to cap the plumbing and by a quality port-a-pottie from an RV outlet< (they're cheaper there.)
Here's a link to a portable waste pump. www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-toilets-tanks/waste-water-pump-rv.htm Another option is to cap the plumbing and by a quality port-a-pottie from an RV outlet< (they're cheaper there.)
Odorlos
We have tried bleach in the tank(pour through the deck, not the head). We have now been using odorlos, available at West Marine in several different types of containers. There is a website for odorlos which explains the problem and the solution. Pour odorlos thru the head. We have found that the odor builds when we are not on board and then after staying aboard for about 24 hours, after having the odorlos in the line/tank, the odor subsides. Put fresh water thru the head and leave the bowl dry when not on board.
We have tried bleach in the tank(pour through the deck, not the head). We have now been using odorlos, available at West Marine in several different types of containers. There is a website for odorlos which explains the problem and the solution. Pour odorlos thru the head. We have found that the odor builds when we are not on board and then after staying aboard for about 24 hours, after having the odorlos in the line/tank, the odor subsides. Put fresh water thru the head and leave the bowl dry when not on board.
Have you checked to make sure...
That head discharge hose is connected to the tank...that you haven't just been flushing into the bilge? (i) I 'dry flushed' the bowl when I left the boat last time - should I have left some water in the bowl instead, to prevent some sort of continuous air passage from the tank into the bowl? No...there's a valve in the toilet discharge that blocks any odor from the tank coming back into the toilet. Besides, the bowl won't--or shouldn't--hold water anyway. Since you're in fresh water, all you should do is run enough flush water through the toilet to rinse out the hose. (ii) can anyone recommend a disinfectant/deodorizor I can flush through when leaving the boat? Not necessary nor recommended. However, you do need to use a holding tank product in the tank to suppress odor in it, but unless the tank is leaking, odor from inside the tank should only have one escape route: out the tank vent. BUT-- A blocked tank vent will pressurize the tank and could force gasses back up the head discharge line into the toilet...and a boat on which the toilet/tank hasn't been used is HIGHLY likely to have a blocked vent...'cuz it's a favorite place for mud daubers to build nests. You need to find the vent and clear it. However, it's also likely that the source of your odor is sanitation hoses that have permeated with odor. They're old and could have permeated very quickly. It has nothing to do with your odor, but the rubber parts (seals, valves, o-rings etc) in any toilet that hasn't been used in 15 years have to be so dried out and deteriorated that they're falling apart and in serious need of replacing. Get a rebuild kit for the make/model of your from the mfr. "Any advice about use of the holding tank (other than "don't use it!" See link below.
That head discharge hose is connected to the tank...that you haven't just been flushing into the bilge? (i) I 'dry flushed' the bowl when I left the boat last time - should I have left some water in the bowl instead, to prevent some sort of continuous air passage from the tank into the bowl? No...there's a valve in the toilet discharge that blocks any odor from the tank coming back into the toilet. Besides, the bowl won't--or shouldn't--hold water anyway. Since you're in fresh water, all you should do is run enough flush water through the toilet to rinse out the hose. (ii) can anyone recommend a disinfectant/deodorizor I can flush through when leaving the boat? Not necessary nor recommended. However, you do need to use a holding tank product in the tank to suppress odor in it, but unless the tank is leaking, odor from inside the tank should only have one escape route: out the tank vent. BUT-- A blocked tank vent will pressurize the tank and could force gasses back up the head discharge line into the toilet...and a boat on which the toilet/tank hasn't been used is HIGHLY likely to have a blocked vent...'cuz it's a favorite place for mud daubers to build nests. You need to find the vent and clear it. However, it's also likely that the source of your odor is sanitation hoses that have permeated with odor. They're old and could have permeated very quickly. It has nothing to do with your odor, but the rubber parts (seals, valves, o-rings etc) in any toilet that hasn't been used in 15 years have to be so dried out and deteriorated that they're falling apart and in serious need of replacing. Get a rebuild kit for the make/model of your from the mfr. "Any advice about use of the holding tank (other than "don't use it!" See link below.
Correct use of Odorlos...
The idea is to PREVENT odor, not cure it after you have it. Odorlos doesn't last forever...and the directions tell you to treat once a week, more often in especially hot weather. If the boat is allowed to sit without re-treating immediately after pumpout, there's none left in the tank to prevent odor...which is why you have odor when you return. You'll eliminate the odor completely if you add a new dose of Odorlos immediately after pumpout at the end of a weekend aboard--or at the end of the weekend whether you pump out or not...and retreat again with the first flush upon returning to the boat the following weekend. Iow, if you follow the directions...
The idea is to PREVENT odor, not cure it after you have it. Odorlos doesn't last forever...and the directions tell you to treat once a week, more often in especially hot weather. If the boat is allowed to sit without re-treating immediately after pumpout, there's none left in the tank to prevent odor...which is why you have odor when you return. You'll eliminate the odor completely if you add a new dose of Odorlos immediately after pumpout at the end of a weekend aboard--or at the end of the weekend whether you pump out or not...and retreat again with the first flush upon returning to the boat the following weekend. Iow, if you follow the directions...
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