Plumbing Access

[wufibugs]

There is about 10" square door beneath the V berth that accesses the holding tank and most of the plumbing. There are screws that run in a sort of channel beneath the V berth cushions that undoubtedly hold up the holding tank. However there is no other access except the smalle door to the area beneath the V berth. If I removed the screws, the tank would be released, but could not be removed unless one cuts into the V berth.

1. Did Hunter contemplate cutting the fiberglass along this channel to replace the holding tank?

Likeswise, in replacing the the plumbing hoses, it would be great to enlarge the access door. What stops me is that the V berth seems to be an integrated and very important structural element of the bow of the boat.

2. Am I correct that Hunter kept the access whole small, and did not provide access from the top through the V berth for crucial structural reasons?

3. The tank does not appear to need replacing, so access from above is not critical at this time. However, I would really like to enlarge the access door beneath the V berth, but wonder if I would by unduly compromising a member that adds necessary the structural integrity to the beam?

 

[ffaubert]

Is the holding tank leaking? Is that why you need the larger hole?

The PO of my Mac decided that great Jeesly access holes were a fantastic idea and proceeded to carve up the inside fibreglass like a roast. He didn't add support to the holes and now I'm fixing and reinforcing cracked fibreglass everywhere.

The moral of the story is: if you are going to change something, do it properly. If you are going to cut holes in something, cut no bigger than you need and reinforce the opening.

The manufacturer either did or did not put a certain sized hole there for a reason. Might have been financial, might have been structural, might have been lack of foresight but there was a reason.

Just something to think about before you fire up the sawzall.

Frank

 

[wufibugs]

Your thinking and mine are identical, Frank, which is why I elected to post. I don't think there is any reason to replace the tank yet, so I don't need to cut into the fiberglass under the V berth cushions. But I am going to replace all the plumbing hoses. A little more working room would make things a LOT easier. If I did enlarge the access, I would reinforce. The issue is, am I tampering with something that is better left alone, how much enlargement is too much, and what kind of reinforcement can I get away with (wooden frame around the new access hole bolted through fiberglass with backing plate, fiberglass reinforcement all around the area, or a piece of stained hardwood plywood covering the full face of the V berth where the enlarged access hole is).

 

[SeaRanch]

I had a H31 1987.
The screws under the V berth cushions are the LID to the holding tank!
The Holding tank is molded into the V berth and YES it is structual, the same is true for the fresh water tank under the Port Rear Quarter Berth cushion.
If the lid is not leaking I would not remove it, if you do you will have to be make sure it is resealed perfect or it will leak and smell.

About the "small door" when I upgraded my hoses and added a macarater pump, I removed the wooden door and cut the fiberglass opening to provide a bigger opening.
I made the opening as large as possible (I did not go higher than the original size opening, I just cut out both sides about 6" on each side and down about 6", sorry no pictures), so I had room to work, then I had a screen made (a dark color sun screen material from an upholstery shop) that snaped over the opening, so air could circulate. I did not need to add any reinforcement after making the opening bigger.

This link below is to a post on the Hunter Owners site from Steve Dion.
Suggest you search the Hunter Owners Forum for "holding tank" Filter: H31 83-87 and you will find a lot of reading.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=123452&highlight=holding

Bill