I may decide to replace the original holding tank on my 1986 O'Day 272 and am concerned about cutting a large enough hole in the adjacent vertical fiberglass wall to remove/replace the tank. I would appreciate to know others' experiences or points of view on this. Like others, I am chasing down odors (more plastic smell than sewage) that keep my wife from visiting the cabin.While I'm changing hoses, I wondered if this tank was part of the problem because of age.
Holding tank replacement
- Thread starter Nick A.
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Unless the tank is metal...
I doubt if it's the source of your odor. But even it were metal and leaking, you'd definitely have a sewage odor. A sweet/sour sickly odor--which could be mistaken for a "plastic" odor--is almost certain to be permeated sanitation hoses. Replacing 'em should solve the problem...or at least eliminate one source, allowing you find any others. Btw..the link below includes some tips that make the job easier and considerably less unpleasant.
I doubt if it's the source of your odor. But even it were metal and leaking, you'd definitely have a sewage odor. A sweet/sour sickly odor--which could be mistaken for a "plastic" odor--is almost certain to be permeated sanitation hoses. Replacing 'em should solve the problem...or at least eliminate one source, allowing you find any others. Btw..the link below includes some tips that make the job easier and considerably less unpleasant.
Been there...
Nick, I also own a 1986 272, and installed a new holding tank last Spring. Previous owner had taken out the original plumbing and put in a porta-potty. I was planning a six week cruise and didn't want to deal with hauling out the potty tank every few days. I made a cardboard mock-up of a 15 gallon tank to see how it would fit, and wound up having to only cut about a two inch strip to widen the access port under the forepeak cushions (on the horizontal rather than the vertical plane). I built a platform under the tank to hold it secure in the forepeak, and after some advice from another 272 owner (Bob Todd) I found on this site, the plumbing for my new head went together pretty easily. Finally, I bolted a new brace across the opening that I had cut to enlarge the access port, and was able to replace the piece I had cut out. I did cut a round hole, I think 10" in diameter into the vertical wall of the forepeak liner, and installed a push-in cover to seal it up. This access port gives me reasonably easy access to the lower end hose and the thru-hulls, as well as the depth sounder transducer which I had to replace a week or so into my cruise. It is small enough, with no sharp corners, that I don't think it compromised the integrity of the liner at all. Hope that is helpful. Good luck with yours. Lou
Nick, I also own a 1986 272, and installed a new holding tank last Spring. Previous owner had taken out the original plumbing and put in a porta-potty. I was planning a six week cruise and didn't want to deal with hauling out the potty tank every few days. I made a cardboard mock-up of a 15 gallon tank to see how it would fit, and wound up having to only cut about a two inch strip to widen the access port under the forepeak cushions (on the horizontal rather than the vertical plane). I built a platform under the tank to hold it secure in the forepeak, and after some advice from another 272 owner (Bob Todd) I found on this site, the plumbing for my new head went together pretty easily. Finally, I bolted a new brace across the opening that I had cut to enlarge the access port, and was able to replace the piece I had cut out. I did cut a round hole, I think 10" in diameter into the vertical wall of the forepeak liner, and installed a push-in cover to seal it up. This access port gives me reasonably easy access to the lower end hose and the thru-hulls, as well as the depth sounder transducer which I had to replace a week or so into my cruise. It is small enough, with no sharp corners, that I don't think it compromised the integrity of the liner at all. Hope that is helpful. Good luck with yours. Lou
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