I am looking to install a holding tank in the bow of my Tanzer 26 and connect it to the working Jabsco Head.I have a 12 x 14 x 17.5 tank picked out. It will hold 12 gal. How many uses of the head will fill up the tank? Is this a reasonable size tank for day sailing for 2-4 adults and several overnights for two of us. I am hoping that a tank will smell less than the porta-pottie.Does this make sense especially as Casco Bay,where I sail, is a no-discharge area.Does it seem like a good idea to put a hole for intake from the head in the end of the tank facing the stern, put two ventilation holes on the top and the hole for pumping out in the bow-facing end of the tank? Any ideas will help as you can guess I am a newbie in these efforts.Thanks Gerry
installation of a holding tank on a Tanzer26
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Gerry, read the link that jimg posted
It describes the most practical solution for a small sailboat. If your current portapotty stinks, that's EASY to fix...the larger 5-6 gal. models that are permanently installed and fitted for pumpout are even easier to keep odor free than portable models--and a LOT easier to maintain than full holding tanks. If you're determined to stick with your plan to go with a manual toilet and holding tank, you need to know: The typical flush volume from a manual toilet is about .5 gal. The average adult uses the toilet 5x in 24 hours. So it would only take 24 uses--12/person--(even fewer if you don't learn how to conserve flush water) to fill up a 12 gal tank connected to a manual toilet. that's barely big enough to last 2-4 adults through a full day of sailing or 2 adults for an overnight, but that's about all. It would not last two people through a long weekend continuously aboard. Otoh, a 5-6 gal self-contained system holds more than 60 flushes. So take a HARD look at that thread... It's what I'd do if I had a small boat. You might also want to check out the link below.
It describes the most practical solution for a small sailboat. If your current portapotty stinks, that's EASY to fix...the larger 5-6 gal. models that are permanently installed and fitted for pumpout are even easier to keep odor free than portable models--and a LOT easier to maintain than full holding tanks. If you're determined to stick with your plan to go with a manual toilet and holding tank, you need to know: The typical flush volume from a manual toilet is about .5 gal. The average adult uses the toilet 5x in 24 hours. So it would only take 24 uses--12/person--(even fewer if you don't learn how to conserve flush water) to fill up a 12 gal tank connected to a manual toilet. that's barely big enough to last 2-4 adults through a full day of sailing or 2 adults for an overnight, but that's about all. It would not last two people through a long weekend continuously aboard. Otoh, a 5-6 gal self-contained system holds more than 60 flushes. So take a HARD look at that thread... It's what I'd do if I had a small boat. You might also want to check out the link below.
holding tank questions again
Thanks for the replies.I didn't see the thread from last week when I looked in archives.My question is:Why would this the Thetford porta-pottie be less odor-free compared to a head with a holding tank and proper dual ventilation?Also if I got this, could I take out the Jabsco headontheport side and put the Thetford in its place? Do you order the ventilation kit separately? Do you run hose for ventilation and pump-out to the bow or can you move the pump-out hole closer to the unit so that there is less hose through which waste has to get pumped out? Thanks again for the advice.Gerry
Thanks for the replies.I didn't see the thread from last week when I looked in archives.My question is:Why would this the Thetford porta-pottie be less odor-free compared to a head with a holding tank and proper dual ventilation?Also if I got this, could I take out the Jabsco headontheport side and put the Thetford in its place? Do you order the ventilation kit separately? Do you run hose for ventilation and pump-out to the bow or can you move the pump-out hole closer to the unit so that there is less hose through which waste has to get pumped out? Thanks again for the advice.Gerry
Answers to your questions
"Why would this the Thetford porta-pottie be less odor-free compared to a head with a holding tank and proper dual ventilation?" Because it it doesn't need anywhere the same amount of plumbing, and because it's easier to maintain and rinse out. "Also if I got this, could I take out the Jabsco headontheport side and put the Thetford in its place?" Yep. "Do you order the ventilation kit separately?" No ventilation kit exists or is even needed...just MAYBE some modification to the existing fittings. "Do you run hose for ventilation and pump-out to the bow or can you move the pump-out hole closer to the unit so that there is less hose through which waste has to get pumped out?" Where to run the ventilation and pumpout lines depends on where the head is located in the boat. When the head is forward, running it forward could be a good idea...but if the head is aft in the cabin, that won't work. It's so much easier than you seem to be imagining it to be...and SO easy to maintain! In fact, unless you have the misguided idea that a "real" marine toilet and tank is "cooler" than a self contained system, I'll even guarantee that you'll LOVE it. And I'll be glad to help you sort it all out. You're welcome to email me...I'm in all the owner directories.
"Why would this the Thetford porta-pottie be less odor-free compared to a head with a holding tank and proper dual ventilation?" Because it it doesn't need anywhere the same amount of plumbing, and because it's easier to maintain and rinse out. "Also if I got this, could I take out the Jabsco headontheport side and put the Thetford in its place?" Yep. "Do you order the ventilation kit separately?" No ventilation kit exists or is even needed...just MAYBE some modification to the existing fittings. "Do you run hose for ventilation and pump-out to the bow or can you move the pump-out hole closer to the unit so that there is less hose through which waste has to get pumped out?" Where to run the ventilation and pumpout lines depends on where the head is located in the boat. When the head is forward, running it forward could be a good idea...but if the head is aft in the cabin, that won't work. It's so much easier than you seem to be imagining it to be...and SO easy to maintain! In fact, unless you have the misguided idea that a "real" marine toilet and tank is "cooler" than a self contained system, I'll even guarantee that you'll LOVE it. And I'll be glad to help you sort it all out. You're welcome to email me...I'm in all the owner directories.
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