How do you replace an aluminum holding tank (in 1992 Hunter 28) when the old tank is too big to fit through any openings? The tank is under the cockpit behind the fuel tank, batteries and rudder shaft housing. There is a glassed in wooden panel between the aft berth and this area. Is it necessary to cut a hole in the wooden panel? Is it necessary to remove everything, fuel tank, batteries and tank? I can't believe a tank with only a 10 year life expectancy would be permanently installed like this.
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Find another location for the tank
That's a terrible location for a holding tank anyway. Cut the old one out, and let's look for a place to put a new one. Btw...your best source for a new tank is Ronco Plastics (link below). Top quality tanks at very reasonable prices and more than 400 shapes and sizes to choose from. In Hunter's defense, it's unlikely they knew an aluminum tank had only a 10 year (max!) life expectancy. Few people, including boat builders, realize even today how corrosive urine is and expect a metal holding tank to last as long as a metal water or fuel tank.
That's a terrible location for a holding tank anyway. Cut the old one out, and let's look for a place to put a new one. Btw...your best source for a new tank is Ronco Plastics (link below). Top quality tanks at very reasonable prices and more than 400 shapes and sizes to choose from. In Hunter's defense, it's unlikely they knew an aluminum tank had only a 10 year (max!) life expectancy. Few people, including boat builders, realize even today how corrosive urine is and expect a metal holding tank to last as long as a metal water or fuel tank.
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Brian Leney
Help in the archives
There is a great description and set of photos in the archives by Jim Rushing who tackled a similar project on a H35.5. He cut an access panel in to the aft state room bulkhead like you mentioned. Go to the Photo/Project forum, then search by model ("35.5"), then select "H35.5 Aft Bulkead Opening." Hope that helps. There may be other posts specific to your model. I'm currently doing holding tank replacement on a H37.5, which already had an access panel in this bulkhead, provided by Hunter. The old tank came out through that opening after sawing off the fittings--it was tight.
There is a great description and set of photos in the archives by Jim Rushing who tackled a similar project on a H35.5. He cut an access panel in to the aft state room bulkhead like you mentioned. Go to the Photo/Project forum, then search by model ("35.5"), then select "H35.5 Aft Bulkead Opening." Hope that helps. There may be other posts specific to your model. I'm currently doing holding tank replacement on a H37.5, which already had an access panel in this bulkhead, provided by Hunter. The old tank came out through that opening after sawing off the fittings--it was tight.
Do you know what a sawzall is for?
Ray: Do you know what a sawzall is for? It is made for removing object that need to be reduced to a smaller size. <g> This is how you remove a water heater on a Hunter 30 too. I doubt that you are going to find any other place on your boat to relocate a holding tank. You know Peggie wants you to keep it close to the head. I would suggest that you take a look at two options. The first one would be to decide if any of those Ronco tanks will fit through the opening that you presently have. If you can get on in that is of adequate size you are home free. Just cut the old one out and replace it. If that is not going to work then I would suggest that you do as Brian suggested and look at the archieves and see how they did it on one of those other boats. This also give you the advantage of having better access to the area in the future. PS: Be sure to upgrade your hoses at the same time, if you have not done so.
Ray: Do you know what a sawzall is for? It is made for removing object that need to be reduced to a smaller size. <g> This is how you remove a water heater on a Hunter 30 too. I doubt that you are going to find any other place on your boat to relocate a holding tank. You know Peggie wants you to keep it close to the head. I would suggest that you take a look at two options. The first one would be to decide if any of those Ronco tanks will fit through the opening that you presently have. If you can get on in that is of adequate size you are home free. Just cut the old one out and replace it. If that is not going to work then I would suggest that you do as Brian suggested and look at the archieves and see how they did it on one of those other boats. This also give you the advantage of having better access to the area in the future. PS: Be sure to upgrade your hoses at the same time, if you have not done so.
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Ray
RE: H35.5 Aft Bulkead Opening
Brian, I can't find the Photo/Project forum you suggested. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks.
Brian, I can't find the Photo/Project forum you suggested. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks.
Ray, here you go.
Ray: Here is the link. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73129561340&fno=17
Ray: Here is the link. http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73129561340&fno=17
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tom
I did it to my Hunter 28
The holding tank in my 1990 hunter 28 also started to leak... I was able to wiggle through the back seat opening.. using a sawzall I cut the old tank in half. I flushed the whole area with a water hose and cleaned everything before dropping a plastic tank (a little smaller) through the opening. I purchased the tank from West Marine.. The whole job took only a couple of hours..
The holding tank in my 1990 hunter 28 also started to leak... I was able to wiggle through the back seat opening.. using a sawzall I cut the old tank in half. I flushed the whole area with a water hose and cleaned everything before dropping a plastic tank (a little smaller) through the opening. I purchased the tank from West Marine.. The whole job took only a couple of hours..
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Ray
RE: I did it to my Hunter 28
Tom, What size replacement tank did you use? The original is about 11 gal, I think. West Marine sells a 13 gal that measures 24x10x14 (LxWxH) and a 9 gal that measures 17x14x10. Also, did you have to move the fuel tank and/or the batteries? And, did you fit the new tank through the port side where the batteries are located or the starboard side where the hoses and thru-hull fittings are located? BTW, I contacted Hunter and they suggested cutting an access in the bulkhead in the aft berth. I think that would be a major project. Especially since the fuel tank would have to be moved out of the way. Thanks!
Tom, What size replacement tank did you use? The original is about 11 gal, I think. West Marine sells a 13 gal that measures 24x10x14 (LxWxH) and a 9 gal that measures 17x14x10. Also, did you have to move the fuel tank and/or the batteries? And, did you fit the new tank through the port side where the batteries are located or the starboard side where the hoses and thru-hull fittings are located? BTW, I contacted Hunter and they suggested cutting an access in the bulkhead in the aft berth. I think that would be a major project. Especially since the fuel tank would have to be moved out of the way. Thanks!
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tom
through the port side
It's been about four or five years since I did this... as I recall I measured the opening and bought the largest tank that I could fit through the opening on the port side... I did not have any batteries in that area... as I recall my bateries, two, were located in the bathroom.I believe I used some adjustable straps to secure the new tank....
It's been about four or five years since I did this... as I recall I measured the opening and bought the largest tank that I could fit through the opening on the port side... I did not have any batteries in that area... as I recall my bateries, two, were located in the bathroom.I believe I used some adjustable straps to secure the new tank....
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