Lectrasan on H380

[Carl Krave]

I'd like to know if anyone has installed a Lectrasan marine sanitation unit on their boat (I own a 1999 Hunter 380). Where did you place the treatment tank (13 1/2"H x 16"W x 9 3/4"D)? I think it's supposed to be within six feet of the head. My thought is that you could install the tank just below the nav station (it would require building a custom teak box) without too much trouble. Since you would no longer need the waste holding tank, could that tank be converted into an additional fuel tank? Obviously, it would have to be thoroughly cleaned out first. But it seems to be made of the same plastic material and is currently right next to the fuel tank. This would more than double the fuel capacity (from 30 gal. to 65 gal.).Are there any obvious reasons why this would not work?

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Waste tank cannot be converted to fuel tank

For two reasons: 1. Water and waste tanks may appear to be made of the same material as plastic fuel tanks, but they aren't. Water and waste holding tanks are made of low density linear poly, which soaks up fuel almost like a sponge...plastic fuel tanks must be made of high density cross-linked poly, which resists permeation by petroleum products. 2. Plastic fuel tanks must also be made to strict CG safety standards, including fittings types and locations and other specifications that waste and water tanks do not have to meet. Although you can certainly reduce the size of your holding tank if you install a Lectra/San (which, btw, I HIGHLY recommend), I would not advise eliminating the tank altogether. There are a couple of small "no discharge" zones--including Herring Bay, which is a very popular destination--on the Bay, and you could find yourself in a "no discharge" harbor or marina if you decide to cruise beyond the Bay. You'll find complete specs and the installation instructions for the Lectra/San on the Raritan website at http://www.raritaneng.com And btw, because the Bay is brackish, you will need to add one of the optional salt tanks...I recommend that it be one of the 4 gallon models that uses rock salt. 20 lbs of rock salt lasts at least half a season...2 gallons of brine mixture lasts a few weekends.

 

[Carl Krave]

What about a bladder tank?

You're right, Peggy...I checked with Hunter and they said that the fuel and waste tanks come from two different manufacturers and are made of different material. The technician confirmed that it would be a very tough job getting the old tank out and replacing it with another one. So much for my waste-to-fuel tank idea.However, what if I sawed off the top of the existing waste tank and inserted two flexible bladder tanks inside...one for waste (say, about 10 gallons) and the other for fuel (about 25 gallons)? If I could get them both to fit within the old waste tank, then I wouldn't have to worry about a ruptured wall on the bladder tank. What do you think about this idea?

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Bladder ok for fuel, but not for waste

The reasons why bladders aren't a good choice for waste holding are spelled out in detail in my book (link below). Note that I only said "ok," not fine...bladders only have a lifespan of about 15 years and cost about as much as good quality rigid plastic tanks.The hard part is getting the existing tank out, not getting two smaller tanks in...if you have access to cut the top off the existing tank, getting it out shouldn't be that hard.