Question about 1983 H30 holding tank

[Steve Young]

I've only had the boat for about a year and I'm in the process of replacing a lot of stuff. Recently I tackled replacing all of the hoses to and from the molded holding tank. All I did was just make and install new hoses just like the ones that were there when I got the boat. After completing the job, and in the process becoming more familiar with the system than I really wanted to be, something doesn't make sense.I think that a previous owner may have put the whole system together backwards. The way it is now, the inlet from the head is at the bottom, conical-shaped portion of the holding tank and the pump-out hose connects to the top of the tank, right next to the air vent. Shouldn't this be the other way around? This arrangement seems to work ok, we had it pumped out several times last year with no problems, but it just seems to me that it should be the other way around.I'd appreciate any help you can provide.Thanks, Steve

 

[Dean Strong]

Sounds backwards to me....

Sounds backwards to me, and is the reverse of my Hunter 30.Seems to me if your pump out hose is on the top of the tank, it won't create any suction unless you have a downtube inside the tank.If the inlet hose is at the bottom of the tank, you will always have sewage sitting in the hose. This will cause more odors, and the caustic acid in urine will eat through the hoses much faster unless you flush a little vinegar through the system every day you use it (which I do at the end of every day anyway).You might also ask your question of Peggy Hall on the Expert Forum. She would know better than I....

 

[Bryan Pfaffenberger]

Yes, it's wrong

The current system presumes that the only way to empty the tank is by means of a pump-out. But it is a very poor design! Is there a vented loop in the head-tank connection? If not, effluent from the tank will inevitably back up into the head.BTW, is the tank aluminum? If so, you should strongly consider replacing it - the lifetime of aluminum holding tanks is something like 10 years max. I strongly recommend Peggy's book on marine sanitation systems -- absolutely the last word -- it's available elsewhere on this site (and through Amazon, etc.)

 

[Pierre]

Holding tank space

Yes this is wrong. The Hunter 30 has limited space for the holding tank. The previous owner probably had issues with running the hoses from the head. I would reverse the order so that the pumpout is on bottom, obviously. I had to build a shelf to support a new holding tank in the small area below the front berth. I added a 6 gallon tank and the usual Y valve for pumpout. I only use the boat for overnight. I can take a picture of the new installation if you like.