So, while doing the spring commisioning I've decided that it's time to go after the "illegal" original head configuration in my '76 25. I just took ownership of this boat last month and it's my wife's first boat so I'm holding off on some investments until we find out if she likes to sail or not. The boat came with a portipottie too. Aside from the reason that it's a new boat for us, I am somewhat shy about installing a holding tank in the boat with all it's accessories right off the bat for other reasons too. 1 - I don't like the idea of a holding tank sitting with stuff in it in the boat, in the sunlight for 4 - 5 days at a time. 2 - I don't really want to go through the process and $$ of installing a holding tank right now. 3 - We have the portipottie. I am more than willing to make arrangements to take it off the boat with us as needed. So, since I've removed the head, I will be mounting the portipottie in the head space - it fits, but that leaves me with the inlet and outlets to deal with. I want to be able to "exercise" the seacocks so that they won't freeze up, like they were after the winter, or I'm willing to just leave them closed if I have to. I want to be able to use the through-hulls in the future for a holding tank if we decide that we want to commit to that course of action. So, here's my question. Because the seacocks are below the water line, and so that I can exercise them while in the water, I am planning on attaching hoses to them and dead-ending those hoses above the waterline. So that you get an idea, on the outlet seacock with an 1.5 inch connection I will attach approximately 3 feet of reinforced sanitation hose. It will run up the back of the bulkhead for the head to a place almost 3 feet above the water line. I will then cap the hose using a bronze pipe to hose fitting and cap. I will do the same with the inlet seacock. Suggestions? Comments? Thanks - Geof
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Doug T.
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John Visser
Why?
Why is the marine head adn holding tank system unacceptable to you? It work for everybody else. I would much rather have the harormasters "Patrol and Pump" boat pump my tank out every week, for free, no less, than have to tote and dump and then clean and return a porta pottie to the boat. The holding tank solution is vastly more convenient AND sanitary. I recommend you re-think your plan. jv
Why is the marine head adn holding tank system unacceptable to you? It work for everybody else. I would much rather have the harormasters "Patrol and Pump" boat pump my tank out every week, for free, no less, than have to tote and dump and then clean and return a porta pottie to the boat. The holding tank solution is vastly more convenient AND sanitary. I recommend you re-think your plan. jv
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Richard
why??
I agree with John and Doug. Its easier to pump out every other week than to haul the portipotty on and off. And just cap the seacocks, 1 1/2" sanitation hose isn't cheap...
I agree with John and Doug. Its easier to pump out every other week than to haul the portipotty on and off. And just cap the seacocks, 1 1/2" sanitation hose isn't cheap...
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Geof Tillotson
Currently it doesn't have a holding tank
John - There is no holding tank in the boat right now. The PO never plumbed on in, and the boat was made before they were required. I'm not willing at this time to make the alterations to the boat needed to add a holding tank, replace the head with a new one and drill yet another two holes in the boat to add the pumpout and vent. Since the head I have needs to be replaced, and I have a portapottie to use, and I want to keep the through-hulls for a future installation I'm going to try and forego the expense and work of installing a complete system now and wait until I pull the boat next year. Needless to say, I'd love to talk with other owners of similar make/vintage boats to see how they have handled this issue in there boats. In order to do it right, I believe I will need to cut an access hole to get the new tank under the v-berth, fiberglass in a platform for it and fasten it down, drill the appropriate holes in the bulkhead to route the hoses to and from it, add a pump out hose which will more than likely come up through the v-berth compartment along with the vent and then purchase the necessary parts to install the complete system. This, of course, assumes that I want to put the tank in the v-berth. I'm also researching how to place the tank where the old inboard used to sit. Anyway, I guess the question I'm really asking is - Has any one else out there capped seacocks above the waterline so that they can exercise the seacocks regularly in the manner I'm thinking of, and what is there experience? Thanks - Geof
John - There is no holding tank in the boat right now. The PO never plumbed on in, and the boat was made before they were required. I'm not willing at this time to make the alterations to the boat needed to add a holding tank, replace the head with a new one and drill yet another two holes in the boat to add the pumpout and vent. Since the head I have needs to be replaced, and I have a portapottie to use, and I want to keep the through-hulls for a future installation I'm going to try and forego the expense and work of installing a complete system now and wait until I pull the boat next year. Needless to say, I'd love to talk with other owners of similar make/vintage boats to see how they have handled this issue in there boats. In order to do it right, I believe I will need to cut an access hole to get the new tank under the v-berth, fiberglass in a platform for it and fasten it down, drill the appropriate holes in the bulkhead to route the hoses to and from it, add a pump out hose which will more than likely come up through the v-berth compartment along with the vent and then purchase the necessary parts to install the complete system. This, of course, assumes that I want to put the tank in the v-berth. I'm also researching how to place the tank where the old inboard used to sit. Anyway, I guess the question I'm really asking is - Has any one else out there capped seacocks above the waterline so that they can exercise the seacocks regularly in the manner I'm thinking of, and what is there experience? Thanks - Geof
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John Visser
I see now
O.K., I get it, I didn't realize you didn't have the tank. It is a big job to add one, though for a 27 a 10 or 15 gallon tank should be enough. And yes, there's the vent and the deck plate, etc. I would just cap the seacocks, and forget the hose. What is the idea around the hose? jv
O.K., I get it, I didn't realize you didn't have the tank. It is a big job to add one, though for a 27 a 10 or 15 gallon tank should be enough. And yes, there's the vent and the deck plate, etc. I would just cap the seacocks, and forget the hose. What is the idea around the hose? jv
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Geof Tillotson
To get the internal water level above the water li
I'd like the option of being able to open and close the seacocks every now and then to keep them from realy seizing up. I will probably take on adding a holding tank next year and will want to use them then. The hoses will get the internal water level above the waterline. Also, the seacocks have smooth hose fittings on them and I cen't figure how to cap them without hoses. Geof
I'd like the option of being able to open and close the seacocks every now and then to keep them from realy seizing up. I will probably take on adding a holding tank next year and will want to use them then. The hoses will get the internal water level above the waterline. Also, the seacocks have smooth hose fittings on them and I cen't figure how to cap them without hoses. Geof
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
That'll work, Geof
However, I'd recommend that you use plugs instead of bronze caps on hoses. I don't know how you'd get bronze caps to seal. When you're ready to install a proper system again, you might want to read the articles in the Head Mistress forum reference library before jumping to any conclusions that there's any reason why waste can't remain in the tank until the tank is full, even in the hottest weather.
However, I'd recommend that you use plugs instead of bronze caps on hoses. I don't know how you'd get bronze caps to seal. When you're ready to install a proper system again, you might want to read the articles in the Head Mistress forum reference library before jumping to any conclusions that there's any reason why waste can't remain in the tank until the tank is full, even in the hottest weather.
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Geof
Thanks Peggy
Thanks again - I was going to use threaded hose couplers, they have a smoth side for the hose and hose clamps and a threaded end to screw a cap onto. Anyway, I also forgot to mention earlier that I wanted to experiment with two locations for the holding tank. One amidships, in the space now vacant that the engine has been removed vs. the space under the v-berth. I'm not sure how the trim of the boat will be affected as the tank fills in either location. I also get the willies when I think about sleeping right next to the vent and other hoses up in the v-berth. Thanks for mentioning the articles in the reference library. I think I've read almost everything there. That's what got me to stop and think this whole thing through. I'll let you all know what happens after there's water under the keel. Also, I'm interested in any solutions that folks might have come up with for adding a holding tank to a '76 oday 25.
Thanks again - I was going to use threaded hose couplers, they have a smoth side for the hose and hose clamps and a threaded end to screw a cap onto. Anyway, I also forgot to mention earlier that I wanted to experiment with two locations for the holding tank. One amidships, in the space now vacant that the engine has been removed vs. the space under the v-berth. I'm not sure how the trim of the boat will be affected as the tank fills in either location. I also get the willies when I think about sleeping right next to the vent and other hoses up in the v-berth. Thanks for mentioning the articles in the reference library. I think I've read almost everything there. That's what got me to stop and think this whole thing through. I'll let you all know what happens after there's water under the keel. Also, I'm interested in any solutions that folks might have come up with for adding a holding tank to a '76 oday 25.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Put the tank under the v-berth
And then just forget about where it is...'cuz unless you dwell on the fact that it's there, you won't ever be aware of it. How can I be sure of that? 'Cuz that's where mine was.
And then just forget about where it is...'cuz unless you dwell on the fact that it's there, you won't ever be aware of it. How can I be sure of that? 'Cuz that's where mine was.
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