PVC

[All U Get]

Hi Peggy,
I had seen a boat refit that included PVC pipe for the waste line. Is there some reason that boats have hoses instead of solid pipe with flex unions? Seems like the pipe would only need attention at the flex joints from time to time.
All U Get

 

[alexco38]

ABS witrh flex

I used ABS (the black stuff for sewage which is thicker than PVC) with flex section. 5 years now no smell no leak.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Only recommended for long straight runs

'Cuz boats--unlike buildings--flex and torque and have to absorb a lot of shock, creating the potential for too many glued connections to fail in systems that have a lot of bends.

I know...I know... there are a few owners who've re-piped with hard pipe and swear by it... I'm surprised Alan hasn't already jumped in here, 'cuz he lies in wait for someone to bring up this subject! :2cool: But if it were a good idea, more builders would use it...'cuz hard pipe is a cheaper than even the cheapest hose, and builders will use almost anything that saves 'em money. But builders don't even use PVC or ABS for FRESH WATER piping...much less sanitation.

 

[Benny]

There are very few absolute rules in boating. Could see the use for hard pipe in a boat with two heads to connect the farthest one from the tank in the straight run portion with flexible hoses providing for bends .

 

[alexco38]

ABS

That's what I did. Two to three feet length of ABS with hose in between. It flexes with the boat. Since the lower part of the pumpout hose filled with that stuff all the time, ABS prevents the smell forever.

I did that not for cost. Cost is not a factor as the length is so short. I just hate to replace them every few years.

There are tradition and there are innovation. Someone has to do it first.

By the way, Hunter uses Marine version of PaX for fresh water. That's a hugh pain as the o-ring inside the coupling leaks. After repeatly replacing them for a few years, I help a friend re-plumbed the entire boat with NorthAmerica PAX with crimped couplings.

Don't use the Red and Blue stuff with PVC coupling for Marine . Get the HomeDepot PaX with brass crimped joints. Not all HomeDepot stuff are bad for boats.

 

[JoeWhite]

I use only fresh water to flush. I fill the sink with a gallon of fresh water then pump into the head then flush into the holding tank just before I leave the boat. No more smell.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Everything but the last gallon is a waste of fresh water

'Cuz it's when sea water is allowed to sit and stagnate in the intake line and pump while the boat sits that results in odor...so you can flush with sea water while you're aboard as long as you rinse it all out of the system before you leave the boat.

 

[All U Get]

'Cuz it's when sea water is allowed to sit and stagnate in the intake line and pump while the boat sits that results in odor...so you can flush with sea water while you're aboard as long as you rinse it all out of the system before you leave the boat.

Thank you for the replys. I've looked at my line and it follows the curve of the boat for a short distance so replacing it isn't big money. As for the odors, we've been using fresh water for six seasons and no odors yet. When I do replace the hose I might try some rigid pipe.
All U Get