Inspection Hatch

[Tim Op't Holt]

The macerator pump on my H31 is located forward under the v-berth. There is a small access door, however this allows not much more than inspection of the holding tank and its plumbing along with the pump. To gain better access, I am proposing to cut a hole under the v-berth pads into this space and install a Bomar hatch. Has anyone done this, and what size fit?

 

[Steve Dion]

Bigger door.

Tim:Have you thought about a larger door under the v-berth. You can get a custom one or find one that would fit at West Marine etc. I think that you could probably double the size of the opening with a larger door. I was actually thinking about doing this on my H'31 too.I think that this would be a better solution. My thinking is that this area supports the weight of two people sleeping up there and the weight of the sewage holding tank. Do not think that I would want to weaken the support.

 

[Johnnie Poole]

Move the pump!

Why try to work on 1 and 1/2 inch hose and pumps through that hatch. It's always going to be a nightmare. My solution was to move the pump to that shelf area on the starboard side of the "footwell" of the V-berth. Nice, easy to inspect area and no worries if I have to change the pump. I also went with the big solids pump for about twice the cost of a macerator and a dead solid, rebuildable pump. The third mod I'd recommend is a y-valve inside that little access door to isolate the overboard discharge and pump from the deck pumpout. eliminates a lot of mess if maintenance is necessary when the tank is full. Come to think of it , that's when you find out that maintenance IS necessary any way!Enjoy the job and use lots of bleach in the tank first, and lots of Joy on those stiff hose fittings!S/V Jazz 1984 H31 #329