installing a "new" system

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Lou

I have just bought a "new" 1986 O'day 272 which was originally fitted with a toilet and holding tank - "Y" valve for holding tank or overboard discharge. The last owner had put in a porta-pottie and taken out all the old plumbing. I am anxious to restore the original system and having trouble finding screw holes to show me where valves and vent loops were located. Can you give me any help on this? Also, is there any problem with the holding tank being located higher than the head? I am thinking of suspending it from under the V-berth platform instead of building a platform on the hull, as there is not much room. I can't see any indication of original holding tank mounting fittings. Was it a bladder instead of a rigid tank? Thanks for any advice about this project.
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

I can't help you find the screw holes...

They may have been a factory installation, or they may have been owner installed. As for any tank mounting fittings, it's unlikely there ever were any, except for straps. The v-berth location is fine for the tank, provided it doesn't put the tank further than about 6' from the toilet. And it's ok if it's slightly above the toilet...most tanks are. But instead of suspending it, find a tank that'll fit the space. Ronco Plastics has over 100 non-rectangular shapes, including "bow" shaped and triangular wedges to lie along the hull. Their catalog is on their website at http://www.ronco-plastics.com Specify your fittings locations to put the inlet from the toilet and the vent fitting toward the centerline of the boat, away from the hull...that's to prevent waste om the tank from running out the vent and/or back toward the toilet when you're heeled. Now for the downside to your plan: Because portapotties use so much less flush water than marine toilets, you'll need at least an 15-18 gallon--20 would be better--tank to gain any real capacity advantage (the number of flushes each will hold) over a 5-6 gal. portapotty. You'll be trading off a system that has almost no plumbing for one that has a seacock to worry about keeping closed, a toilet that must be maintained and kept lubricated, odor in the head from sea water trapped in the head intake, hoses that can permeate, and loss of storage space to house the tank. If you stick with a 5-6 gallon portapotty, permanently installed and fitted for pumpout instead of one that has to be carried ashore, you'll have all the convenience of a marine toilet and holding tank with none of the problems...and save at least $300.
 
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Brian R Clare

Lou, maybe I can help.

Lou, I have '88 272LE with original head installation etc,we're located only 1hr above Baltimore, happy to show you if you wish. Brian.
 
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Lou

I'd love to take you up on that

Brian, Thanks for the generous offer. I'd love to take a look at your boat. How about emailing me at ljacobs@jbbl.org (work email) and we can make a date. Lou
 
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