The holding tank on my Hunter 28.5 is leaking an draining into the bilge. It is located under the quarter berth in the aft cabin. Since there is no access panel, it appears I will need to cut hole in the top to make the repair. I don't know what I am going to find and don't want to cause additional damage. Is there actual tank inside or is the holding tank the fiberglass compartment? I am unsure if I should cut a small circle and try an repair the leak or cut a large enough hole to put in a new plastic holding tank. Any suggestions? Thanks for any help. Craig
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from another 28.5 owner.
Years ago I put an 4" round deck plate in the top of my boats holding tank. It was simple. And the job wasn't as horrible as I expected if you flush the tank out first with lots of pinesol and bleach. Could it just be the fitting that's leaking? Then marine tex is the answer.
Years ago I put an 4" round deck plate in the top of my boats holding tank. It was simple. And the job wasn't as horrible as I expected if you flush the tank out first with lots of pinesol and bleach. Could it just be the fitting that's leaking? Then marine tex is the answer.
Replace, don't repair
If the tank is metal, the first leak is ONLY the FIRST leak...urine is so corrosive that it's turning the tank into a collander. If the tank is plastic (polyethyelene), it's unlikely that the leak can be mended...nothing bonds permanently to PE. So save yourself the effort of trying to mend it now, then also having to replace it later...replace it now and be done with it.
If the tank is metal, the first leak is ONLY the FIRST leak...urine is so corrosive that it's turning the tank into a collander. If the tank is plastic (polyethyelene), it's unlikely that the leak can be mended...nothing bonds permanently to PE. So save yourself the effort of trying to mend it now, then also having to replace it later...replace it now and be done with it.
28.5 Holding Tank
We have an '86 which has a built-in (presumably fiberglas) holding tank, but the 'cover' is a separate piece fastened with screws and sealed with a sealant joint. Unless yours had contents in it which froze and pushed out or cracked the sides, I'd check for a problem at the inlet hose fitting on the side of the tank. From the quarter berth, you should see the hose coming from the head to the holdong tank on the port side just behind the transmission / shaft coupling. Presuming that you pump out first and rinse several times with clean water; you could remove the hose and inspect that fitting. If what you see is all fiberglas tank and tube fitting, I'd try to repair it with a liberal application of a paste consistency epoxy such as PC-7.
We have an '86 which has a built-in (presumably fiberglas) holding tank, but the 'cover' is a separate piece fastened with screws and sealed with a sealant joint. Unless yours had contents in it which froze and pushed out or cracked the sides, I'd check for a problem at the inlet hose fitting on the side of the tank. From the quarter berth, you should see the hose coming from the head to the holdong tank on the port side just behind the transmission / shaft coupling. Presuming that you pump out first and rinse several times with clean water; you could remove the hose and inspect that fitting. If what you see is all fiberglas tank and tube fitting, I'd try to repair it with a liberal application of a paste consistency epoxy such as PC-7.
THANKS!!
The tank is leaking from the corner, I had hoped for loose hose. I tried to seal it with epoxy from the outside. I only partially pulled up the carpet covering the tank, but didn't see anything that looked like an access panel. I will expose the entire top, but I think I will have to cut a hole and see what's there. Thanks for you help.
The tank is leaking from the corner, I had hoped for loose hose. I tried to seal it with epoxy from the outside. I only partially pulled up the carpet covering the tank, but didn't see anything that looked like an access panel. I will expose the entire top, but I think I will have to cut a hole and see what's there. Thanks for you help.
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