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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
If you have access and some minimal math skills
You can determine it for yourself. You may have to, because it's highly doubtful that it's still the original tank, especially if it's plastic...'cuz Hunter used aluminum tanks until the early '90s. Multiply the length x width x height in inches...divide by 231. Since those are outside dimensions, and you can't use every last cubic inch without overflowing the tank, take about 5% off. Iow, if you get a number like 26.37642, it's a 25 gallon tank.
You can determine it for yourself. You may have to, because it's highly doubtful that it's still the original tank, especially if it's plastic...'cuz Hunter used aluminum tanks until the early '90s. Multiply the length x width x height in inches...divide by 231. Since those are outside dimensions, and you can't use every last cubic inch without overflowing the tank, take about 5% off. Iow, if you get a number like 26.37642, it's a 25 gallon tank.
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Tom
If its aluminum, should it be replaced?
I also have a 285, a 1985 model. Do I have a disaster waiting to happen that I should replace the tank?
I also have a 285, a 1985 model. Do I have a disaster waiting to happen that I should replace the tank?
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
It'll have to replaced before too long, but
it's hardly a disaster waiting to happen. When it starts to fail, the whole tank isn't gonna let go...there'll just be a pinhole leak somewhere--most likely in a weld at a seam or a fitting. There's no reason to panic and replace it till it does start to leak...just keep an eye--and your nose--on it...pressure test it each spring...and replace it when it flunks the test or you discover signs of a leak.
it's hardly a disaster waiting to happen. When it starts to fail, the whole tank isn't gonna let go...there'll just be a pinhole leak somewhere--most likely in a weld at a seam or a fitting. There's no reason to panic and replace it till it does start to leak...just keep an eye--and your nose--on it...pressure test it each spring...and replace it when it flunks the test or you discover signs of a leak.
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Jeff
Fiberglass Tank
I'm pretty sure that your holding tank is a fiberglass tank moulded in under the aft berth. I don't know the capacity for sure but I think it is around 13 gal. Unfortunately it would be a rough estimate. Whatever you do, DO NOT unscrew the lid and try and remove it. The caulking used was an adhesive and there is a good chance you will ruin the lid. Same goes for the fuel and water tanks.
I'm pretty sure that your holding tank is a fiberglass tank moulded in under the aft berth. I don't know the capacity for sure but I think it is around 13 gal. Unfortunately it would be a rough estimate. Whatever you do, DO NOT unscrew the lid and try and remove it. The caulking used was an adhesive and there is a good chance you will ruin the lid. Same goes for the fuel and water tanks.
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S. Sauer
28.5 Holding Tank
My 1986 28.5 , hull number 338 has a built in fiberglas holding tank under the quarter berth on the port side. The 'lid' has screwes every 2-3 inches and the seam appears to be sealed with something like 5200. I don't have the literature at home but I believe the capacity is about 12-15 gallons. There are no aluminum tanks on the boat as the water is also a built in fiberglass tank and I believe the fuel tank appears to be polyethelyne.
My 1986 28.5 , hull number 338 has a built in fiberglas holding tank under the quarter berth on the port side. The 'lid' has screwes every 2-3 inches and the seam appears to be sealed with something like 5200. I don't have the literature at home but I believe the capacity is about 12-15 gallons. There are no aluminum tanks on the boat as the water is also a built in fiberglass tank and I believe the fuel tank appears to be polyethelyne.
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Jennifer DeVito
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Bob
Solids anyone?
Our waste tank seems to fill up very fast sometimes. We have a tank gauge installed and have only over flowed it once, which I know is a very bad thing to let happen. But I was wondering since it's an 1987 boat (with a plastic tank) could there possibly be a build up of "solids" or stuff insdie that can't get out by using a pump out? Are there chemicals that we can throw in to break up anything that we might not want in there?
Our waste tank seems to fill up very fast sometimes. We have a tank gauge installed and have only over flowed it once, which I know is a very bad thing to let happen. But I was wondering since it's an 1987 boat (with a plastic tank) could there possibly be a build up of "solids" or stuff insdie that can't get out by using a pump out? Are there chemicals that we can throw in to break up anything that we might not want in there?
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress
Sludge can accumulate in a tank
which is why it's important to flush out the tank several times a season. No chemicals needed, just plenty of water. After pumping out, add a few gallons of water down the dekc pumpout fitting...pump out...repeat...repeat..till the water being pumped out is clean. As long as any sludge is still "mud," that's all it takes to flush it out of the tank...if the sludge has turned to "concrete"--which takes years--there is no chemical that can dissolve it that won't also damage the tank. However, solids won't fill up your tank any faster than liquids. More people aboard, or the same number of people aboard continuously for longer periods, means more flushes going into the tank...and when you do the math (people x 5 flushes/day x .6 gal/flush), it's easy to see how many days it takes to fill up your tank..not long.
which is why it's important to flush out the tank several times a season. No chemicals needed, just plenty of water. After pumping out, add a few gallons of water down the dekc pumpout fitting...pump out...repeat...repeat..till the water being pumped out is clean. As long as any sludge is still "mud," that's all it takes to flush it out of the tank...if the sludge has turned to "concrete"--which takes years--there is no chemical that can dissolve it that won't also damage the tank. However, solids won't fill up your tank any faster than liquids. More people aboard, or the same number of people aboard continuously for longer periods, means more flushes going into the tank...and when you do the math (people x 5 flushes/day x .6 gal/flush), it's easy to see how many days it takes to fill up your tank..not long.
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