Holding Tank replacement

[shawanaga]

Just purchased a 1990 35.5 and want to replace the waste holding tank. I saw a couple of articles that are great with pictures my question is how far from the side of the boat and the plywood bed deck do I start the cuts for the opening
Also the mfg of the new tanks are they familiar with what we should be reinstalling? Do they know locations of hoses vents etc?
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks Floyd

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Where did you see the articles...can you post links to them? Who's the tank manufacturer? Where do you want to put the tank?

 

[readerbill]

Just a thought. This might be a good time to consider a composting head. I replaced my holding tank and all the hoses before I decided to remove the holding tank, regain that space for storage and install a composting head. Just food for thought. I know they are not for everyone.

 

[tjar]

I also just bought a 1993 35.5 and am looking at replacing the holding tank. I've been doing some research online and think that I have a plan, but I am always interested in learning from other's research.
After cutting a hole in the wall in the aft cabin, I want to install a large hatch to allow future maintenance and better utilize the space around the tank. I found some new tanks that will fit through the hatch, but I still need to get measurements of the old tank to see if it can be removed that way.
If it's too big, I will probably end up just re-fiberglassing the panel back into place.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

A Sawzsall should make it fairly easy to remove the existing tank. Just be sure to rinse it out VERY thoroughly before opening it up, even removing any hoses.

Make sure the new tank will not only go through the opening to the space, but also will fit through the companionway opening. We once sold a custom tank to a customer who'd even built a cardboard mockup the tank to make sure it would fit the space under his v-verth...he brought all the materials to make the mockup on the boat and made it "on site." When the tank arrived, it was too big for any entrance in the cabin. Only custom tank we ever allowed to be returnable.

Your best source for water and waste tanks is Ronco Plastics (no relation to Ron Popiel and is VegOmatic) Ronco Plastics Marine Catalog They make TOP quality thick-walled rotomolded plastic tanks for a very reasonable price and have more than 400 shapes and sizes, over 100 of which are non-rectangular...and they install fittings in the sizes and locations specified by the customer when they make the tank.

 

[py26129]

I'll second the Ronco recommendation. not only do they have a lot of shapes available but they were an absolute pleasure to deal with as well.

I did build a mock-up of the tank (in my basement) prior to ordering using the measurements provided on the Ronco site.

lastly, do make sure your old tank is empty. I thought mine was but I was wrong. Luckily we notices after cutting the top off but before pulling th drain hose off the bottom fitting. This was almost 5 years ago and I think my daughter is still grossed out.

Cheers

Matt