Holding tank replacement??

[mytime]

We just purchased a 20 year old Catalina 30. Two issues regarding holding tank...
1) It seems to fill quickly for a 17-20 gal. (Specs say 17 gal -Survey says 20 gal ...Unsure??) Could it be semi filled with sludge? Worth the $300 in replacement and the mess??
2) SLIGHT odor under seats in holding area ....Just replace hoses? (appear to be original) ...or hoses and tank?

 

[Anonymous 121765]

My,

I assume you are asking about your waste tank. Your area may regulations for not pumping waste o'board so, look for waste pump out stations at some marinas and/or fuel docks. They work real well with higher suction.

If there is nothing visibly wrong with the tank, I would try this first. If you can when pumping it out, you may want to run water thru it a couple times & suction again for a better rinse. Make sure your vent hose is not clogged first.

Hoses get old & odors will eventually leach thru. You might want to replace them also but, not until your tank is flushed. If smelling odor at the head, you may need a pump rebuild kit if it's manual.

There are some good enviro-friendly tank treatment liquids for use. I use this every time I empty. And, only use marine toilet paper, regular paper can pose blockage problems.

CR

 

[Guts1236]

I would recommend you read this thread on tanks.Talk to Steve tell him what you got, and ask him to give you a price.

http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=167221

 

[mytime]

Captain Ron,
We just purchased the boat so I do not know what the previous owner did, but we pump out. However we have only done it three times since we got boat so I do not know if that would be enough to get rid of the sludge and I never "flushed" as you recommended. I guess I should start with replacing the hoses. Does anyone know if the holding tank itself can leach odor?

Thanks Guts I will check it out!

 

[Chief RA]

Capn Ron suggested to NOT replace hoses until you get the tank problem resolved. Chief

 

[mytime]

But after 20 years don't you think the hoses are probably beginning to leach a little? There is a slight odor problem so if the tank is not leaching the hoses probably are?

 

[The Garbone]

Always flush once or twice. Heck, you already have the latex gloves on, just don't use you potable water hose.

 

[mortyd]

this story may not be totally relevant, but i guess it's relevant enough. a few years ago a friend and i were at a boat show and approached a new york state environmental officer IN UNIFORM and asked him what to do since every authorized pump out station we went to had some kind of an excuse why they couldn't pump us out. he looked around, and when the coast seemed clear enough said 'wait until dark.'

 

[George Da Porge]

. Make sure your vent hose is not clogged first.

We bought a 1990 C30 last spring. Somewhat similar issues to what you are experiencing. Our sailing club has a waste "extractor" with a 30 gal tank. It works good but we couldn't get 15 gals out when it seemed the tank was full. I suspected vent hose may be clogged. So at end of season I sliced an opening in hose (up high) (will be replacing hose). It was much easier to pump out tank. Also, when I was pumping out head to drain at end of season, it was much easier to pump. I can't say for sure vent hose was plugged, but I think odds are high.

 

[mytime]

The vent pipe seemed to be fine however I will make sure I double check..That would be a good easy fix for the situation