The forward holding tank on my 1986 Hunter 40 Legend is leaking. It appears that it can be removed by taking out what looks like an inspection cover (top) and the forward bulkhead. It is fiberglass. Anyone done this? I suppose that I could repair it in the boat if I could find the leak, but would rather remove it. Does Ronco make a replacement? The pumpout hose to the deck has a loop in it. Should this be straight so no waste lingers in the loop? Thanks for any help. Peggy are you listening? Would it be good to replumb with PVC instead of hoses? Thanks all,
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
I'd replace it...
The same leak has also allowed waste to saturate the fiberglass and rot it. I don't know whether Ronco has an exact replacement, but there should be a tank that'll fit among their 400 shapes and sizes. Check the Ronco catalog (link below). There should NOT be a loop in the pumpout line.
The same leak has also allowed waste to saturate the fiberglass and rot it. I don't know whether Ronco has an exact replacement, but there should be a tank that'll fit among their 400 shapes and sizes. Check the Ronco catalog (link below). There should NOT be a loop in the pumpout line.
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John O'Donald
repair may be possible
I thought I had a leak in that tank but it was in the pumpout hose ( loose clamp) . I believe the forward tank is fiberglassed into the hull and the inspection port is actually the top of the tank. I pumped it full of water until it came out overflow and pump out hole. Ididn't actually find leak in tank. I would remove forward bulkhead and pump her full to find leak.... it may be simple. could be caulking around top of tank or forward hose conections. I would also like to replace the front tank along with the aft aluminum tank but the front tank looks like a very big job. Let me know what you find. I also replaced all hoses with odorsafe type.
I thought I had a leak in that tank but it was in the pumpout hose ( loose clamp) . I believe the forward tank is fiberglassed into the hull and the inspection port is actually the top of the tank. I pumped it full of water until it came out overflow and pump out hole. Ididn't actually find leak in tank. I would remove forward bulkhead and pump her full to find leak.... it may be simple. could be caulking around top of tank or forward hose conections. I would also like to replace the front tank along with the aft aluminum tank but the front tank looks like a very big job. Let me know what you find. I also replaced all hoses with odorsafe type.
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Kevin Whalen
On my 85
both the holding tanks (forward and aft) are integral to the hull. They are not tanks that can leak but glassed in spaces. My aft tank is a glassed in void between two stringers and the forward tank is a triangle shaped space glassed into the bow with a lid screwed down on top. I have repaired both in the last two years. The front tank can only leak in two places unless the fiberglass is broken / cracked. First the seal on the lid can go bad and second the hose connections can go bad. So as John said find where it is leaking and repair it. Mine was in the lid I had to redo the seal by cleaning out all the old chauking and replacing it. In John's case it sounds like he redid the hose connections. If the leak is cracked fiberglass your problem is bigger than a leaky holding tank; it is hull structure integrity. I did consider during my repair finding a tank that I could drop into the forward triangle space but it would have reduced holding capacity from the integral tank's measle capacity of 13 gallons to less than 10 which was unacceptable in my book. If your aft tank is integral like mine (I think Hunter went to real aft holding tank sometime in 86) it is a duesy to repair requiring tearing out half the main cabin and floor. In my case it went bad the summer after my forward started to leak around it's seal. Good Luck. Kevin s/v Katawa Cay
both the holding tanks (forward and aft) are integral to the hull. They are not tanks that can leak but glassed in spaces. My aft tank is a glassed in void between two stringers and the forward tank is a triangle shaped space glassed into the bow with a lid screwed down on top. I have repaired both in the last two years. The front tank can only leak in two places unless the fiberglass is broken / cracked. First the seal on the lid can go bad and second the hose connections can go bad. So as John said find where it is leaking and repair it. Mine was in the lid I had to redo the seal by cleaning out all the old chauking and replacing it. In John's case it sounds like he redid the hose connections. If the leak is cracked fiberglass your problem is bigger than a leaky holding tank; it is hull structure integrity. I did consider during my repair finding a tank that I could drop into the forward triangle space but it would have reduced holding capacity from the integral tank's measle capacity of 13 gallons to less than 10 which was unacceptable in my book. If your aft tank is integral like mine (I think Hunter went to real aft holding tank sometime in 86) it is a duesy to repair requiring tearing out half the main cabin and floor. In my case it went bad the summer after my forward started to leak around it's seal. Good Luck. Kevin s/v Katawa Cay
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Don Hines
I'm in the tank today,well almost.
The forward bulkhead has 2 pieces of trim over the carpet stuff and then 2 screws on either side and it's out. The cover is the top of the tank so hope it is well rinsed before you remove it. The tank is part of the hull liner and can only be repaired in place. The interior is gelcoat and you should be able to find any problems and repair them easily from the inside. Scrub it out and wipe it down with acetone, then sand and patch and be sure to check out the hose fittings. My tank was thick on one side and thin on the other and it looks like the original problem was in the bottom corners, very thin looking (what’s left of it). I did not have the boat when this tank was cut out and the 9 gallon poly tank put in it’s place. Sure looks like it was tons of work to cut it out and then only enough room for such a small tank. Anyway, I’m taking it out now and installing a Lectrasan MC in it’s place. P.S. Lots of ventilation !!!! PPS This tank is hull liner, not integral to the hull, and the surrounding top lip of the vee berth is all that supports it. This is the most efficient use of this space so repair it, do check the cover and hoses first
The forward bulkhead has 2 pieces of trim over the carpet stuff and then 2 screws on either side and it's out. The cover is the top of the tank so hope it is well rinsed before you remove it. The tank is part of the hull liner and can only be repaired in place. The interior is gelcoat and you should be able to find any problems and repair them easily from the inside. Scrub it out and wipe it down with acetone, then sand and patch and be sure to check out the hose fittings. My tank was thick on one side and thin on the other and it looks like the original problem was in the bottom corners, very thin looking (what’s left of it). I did not have the boat when this tank was cut out and the 9 gallon poly tank put in it’s place. Sure looks like it was tons of work to cut it out and then only enough room for such a small tank. Anyway, I’m taking it out now and installing a Lectrasan MC in it’s place. P.S. Lots of ventilation !!!! PPS This tank is hull liner, not integral to the hull, and the surrounding top lip of the vee berth is all that supports it. This is the most efficient use of this space so repair it, do check the cover and hoses first
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
How far is that space from the toilet?
The Lectra/San has to be installed within 6' of the toilet and at or below the same level as the toilet discharge fitting. You can stretch the 6' up to another foot (just means you have to flush longer), but better talk to Raritan if it's any further or above the toilet discharge. And btw...you'll still need at least a small holding tank for use any of the "no discharge" zones. There aren't many on the Bay, but there are a few.
The Lectra/San has to be installed within 6' of the toilet and at or below the same level as the toilet discharge fitting. You can stretch the 6' up to another foot (just means you have to flush longer), but better talk to Raritan if it's any further or above the toilet discharge. And btw...you'll still need at least a small holding tank for use any of the "no discharge" zones. There aren't many on the Bay, but there are a few.
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Don Hines
At the limit
Peggy, it's 6 ft to the Lectrasan and just a little above so I have a vented loop in the cabinet under the sink, above the waterline, as per Lectrasan diagrams(the top of the toilet bowl is at the waterline). Will let you know how well it works. I have a short haul comming up and will put another thru-hull in the bow to reduce the length on the discharge hose as well. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Don PS I always forget something; we have a second head and holding tank should we enter the no discharge zones or need to repair the Lectrasan system. I'll just have to secure the one thru-hull forward and the Y valve aft.
Peggy, it's 6 ft to the Lectrasan and just a little above so I have a vented loop in the cabinet under the sink, above the waterline, as per Lectrasan diagrams(the top of the toilet bowl is at the waterline). Will let you know how well it works. I have a short haul comming up and will put another thru-hull in the bow to reduce the length on the discharge hose as well. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Don PS I always forget something; we have a second head and holding tank should we enter the no discharge zones or need to repair the Lectrasan system. I'll just have to secure the one thru-hull forward and the Y valve aft.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
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Phyllis Stendebach
Aft holding tank on 1986
The aft holding tank on our 1986 Legend 40 is just fiberglassed space between 2 stringers in the hull. The seal on the top of it cracked and filled bilge with waste. Had to tear out flooring to make repairs; added a tank monitor and an inspection port. Inspection port is capped by a polished stainless steel plate in the floor. Also added a tank monitor to the forward holding tank at the same time.
The aft holding tank on our 1986 Legend 40 is just fiberglassed space between 2 stringers in the hull. The seal on the top of it cracked and filled bilge with waste. Had to tear out flooring to make repairs; added a tank monitor and an inspection port. Inspection port is capped by a polished stainless steel plate in the floor. Also added a tank monitor to the forward holding tank at the same time.
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Larry Baswick
40.5 holding tank
The holding tank on my '94 40.5 leaked into the bilge due to a hole created by electrolysis. The removal was time consuming but very little furniture modification was required. A new tank was built and installed. Project from beginning to end was 10 days. Bilge is dry again.
The holding tank on my '94 40.5 leaked into the bilge due to a hole created by electrolysis. The removal was time consuming but very little furniture modification was required. A new tank was built and installed. Project from beginning to end was 10 days. Bilge is dry again.
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Rich Stidger
Larry, please email me
I have a 1997 h40.5 and have been wondering how to change the holding tank. No leaks yet, but I am thinking about it. Would you please email me with details of what you have to remove and how to best do it. TIA Rich grstidge@localnet.com
I have a 1997 h40.5 and have been wondering how to change the holding tank. No leaks yet, but I am thinking about it. Would you please email me with details of what you have to remove and how to best do it. TIA Rich grstidge@localnet.com
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