Possibilities for a pearson 323?

[Geoff Kloster]

These are some thoughts/questions to follow up my post on my plans for replacing my sanitation system in a Pearson 323. There is a 30 gal water tank in the bow. Our present sailing style does not require much on board water and we have not used that tank. Should I replace the 30 gal water tank with a holding tank rather than the 14 gal tank I plan for the starboard v-birth storage bin? It will be easier to run a good vent line to the bow this way. It will mean much fewer trips to the pump out facility. It will require more than the 6 ft from head to tank as suggested in Peggie’s article; if the vertical run to/from the anti-siphon valve is counted it will be at least 8 ft. What will it do to sailing performance? The P 323 is a heavy boat, 12k displacement and 32 feet long. In a few years we hope to do some longer cruising but with in the Great Lakes. How necessary is a large water supply? Peggy talks about the necessity of getting air into the holding tank. Has anyone tried a bubbler like those used in fish tanks? Could it be run for a minute every time the head was used and give adequate air for aerobic bacterial action in the holding tank? If I stay with the 14 gal holding tank I’m thinking of using the 30 gal water tank for the head fresh water supply. The thru-hull for the head supply requires removing cushions and a storage bin to get at it. The storage bin is a tight fit and the valve far enough under the settee to require a bit of manipulation to get to. Thus a hook up to the tank would eliminate one hassle on leaving and returning. (We’re in Lake Michigan, so I can’t argue for the fresh water?) If I put only 10 gal in and fill each or every other time the tank is pumped I won’t have a large weight in the bow. If I discover she sails better with weight in the bow I can leave that tank filled and top up each time I pump the tank. Perhaps the KO stuff could be put in the water tank and benefit by all hoses having the enzymes in rather than just the holding tank? Any thoughts?I think I’ve run out of questions. Thanks for any help.Geoff

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

It depends...

An 8' hose run, included the vented loop, from the head the tank is within reasonable limits. So, if the water tank in the bow is plastic, I would definitely consider converting it to holding. Since you're IN fresh water--and water that's clean enough to bathe in a few miles offshore--if you have at least 40-50 gallons without that tank, you should be ok. In a crunch, you could even boil it to use as drinking water...unlike sea water. Waste and water weigh the same amount, so converting it to a holding tank in the bow won't affect sailing performance any more than using it to hold water. Unless you're a hard-core racer, you won't even notice it....if you are, just make sure it's empty when you race.WHY would you need a fresh water tank to flush the toilet on a boat IN fresh water????? It's the organism in SEA water, not fresh water, that causes the intake odor problems. Aeration does work in a holding tank, but it does no good whatever to only run it after each flush 'cuz flushing has nothing to do with bacterial activity in a tank...Bacteria multiply continuously, so it's what's happening betweeen flushes that creates the odor, it's not the flush itself. So for an aerator to be effective, it must a) be correctly installed to aerate ALL the tank contents, b) the pump has to be large enough to move enough air to do that, and c) must run conntinuously 24/7/365 (except during winter layup), even when you aren't aboard.I think you and I better talk before you do any work.

 

[Geoff Kloster]

Thanks

Thanks for the advice. I'd be happy to talk with you. Not sure how you would like me to do that? Not sure how your consulting service works. If it's not something to discuss on the forum my home e-mail is kloster@triwest.net.Geoff

 

[Geoff Kloster]

How to convert?

How do I know if the water tank in the bow is adequate for a holding tank? Can I assume if it was OK for water for the past 20+ years it's OK?How do I add the fittings?Where do I get them?The tank has about 4"-5" space between the aft end of the tank and a partial bulkhead. I think I could put a fitting in there at the bottom of the tank. I could but the entry fitting in the same space or on the top of the tank. (There are several inches top clearance also.) Geoff