more boat manufacturers don't consult experts like you before they design and build these boats with heads and holding tanks that turn into smelly problems down the road. How much more can it cost to do it right?? Thanks for all your advise. Mark Johnson S/V Anthem
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Actually, it can cost quite a bit!
For the most part, boat designers do an excellent job...but they ARE kinda like architects who design kitchen cabinets without ever measuring a cereal box!
They have one thing in mind: the most "liveability" possible in the space available, and the most eye appeal, at the lowest cost (note I didn't say "cheap"...just the most bang for the buck) possible. They aren't the least bit interested in sewage management...only with equipping the boat to meet legal requirements. Tanks, pumps, seacocks etc are "necessary evils" that must be fitted into whatever location happens to be available that doesn't destroy accessible storage space. You can't blame the designers....'cuz when you see the boat at the boat show, you aren't thinking about accessibility of seacocks and whether the holding tank vent is likely to cause problems either...all you see is the "boat of your dreams" at an affordable price. So don't blame the designers and builders...after all, you bought the boat.
For the most part, boat designers do an excellent job...but they ARE kinda like architects who design kitchen cabinets without ever measuring a cereal box!
They have one thing in mind: the most "liveability" possible in the space available, and the most eye appeal, at the lowest cost (note I didn't say "cheap"...just the most bang for the buck) possible. They aren't the least bit interested in sewage management...only with equipping the boat to meet legal requirements. Tanks, pumps, seacocks etc are "necessary evils" that must be fitted into whatever location happens to be available that doesn't destroy accessible storage space. You can't blame the designers....'cuz when you see the boat at the boat show, you aren't thinking about accessibility of seacocks and whether the holding tank vent is likely to cause problems either...all you see is the "boat of your dreams" at an affordable price. So don't blame the designers and builders...after all, you bought the boat. Really, Really Good Response!
Sorry for the previous response that was sent but not complete - finger hit the wrong key! The last sentence on Peggy's response I thought was really good, namely: "So don't blame the designers and builders...after all, you bought the boat." This is soooo true. Sometimes, though, I think the interior of my boat was designed and put together by ex Winnebago (sp?) workers. There are a number of areas where a lessons-learned checklist would have improved the end product at little to no cost, seacock location being one of them. Three of mine have the handle situated so in the closed position it hits a beam. Rotate it, say, 45, 90, or 180 degrees and I wouldn't have to bruise my knuckels to close it (an example of a no-cost fix!).
Sorry for the previous response that was sent but not complete - finger hit the wrong key! The last sentence on Peggy's response I thought was really good, namely: "So don't blame the designers and builders...after all, you bought the boat.
" This is soooo true. Sometimes, though, I think the interior of my boat was designed and put together by ex Winnebago (sp?) workers. There are a number of areas where a lessons-learned checklist would have improved the end product at little to no cost, seacock location being one of them. Three of mine have the handle situated so in the closed position it hits a beam. Rotate it, say, 45, 90, or 180 degrees and I wouldn't have to bruise my knuckels to close it (an example of a no-cost fix!).- Status