Replacing blackwater tank

Jun 22, 2017
11
Hunter 376 Pittwater, Sydney, Australia
Thanks Tristan. Hope you got your oil cleaned up OK. What a mess. I don't need to remove the tank but it is good to hear that removing the cabinetry was not a complete nightmare!
 
Apr 1, 2019
14
Hunter 376 Niantic
Yeah, the previous owner left it in there and the bottom broke. 1 gallon of 2 cycle oil went from there to the bilge, took 3 years to finally get enough of it out that it does not show up in the bilge. I did not remove the tank but I am sure there is still some there......
 
Jun 22, 2017
11
Hunter 376 Pittwater, Sydney, Australia
Just to close this out. I went out with the family for a few nights over Easter. Despite regular usage, there was not a whiff at all. The boat is not winterized but we do use her less over winter.
Some takeaways:
1. The hatch in the top of the tank will help me rinse the tank out from time to time with good loads of fresh water which will be good.
2. Thoroughly cleaning the systems before starting this work is a must.
3. Replacing the pipe from the Tank to the T intersection was difficult in terms of contortion-ism but not too bad in the scheme of things
4. I thought replacing the pipe from the toilet to the tank would be terrible, but it is was OK. A two person job, but with a bit of planning and persistence it is not too bad.
5. Will definitely refer to Peggy's book for maintenance of the system. Now that it is all new, regular maintenance and flushing will keep the system clean....I hope.
6. My sense is that the investment in the raritan hosing is worthwhile. It is certainly nice to use....
Hope this helps!
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,966
- - LIttle Rock
Just to close this out. I went out with the family for a few nights over Easter. Despite regular usage, there was not a whiff at all. The boat is not winterized but we do use her less over winter.
You wouldn't have much odor in cold or even cooler weather because bacteria become increasingly sluggish below 70F. Boat hulls below waterline take their temperature off the temperature of the water, so any tank installed below waterline will be about the same temperature as the hull. It's when the weather gets hot that bacteria become really active, so you'll find out how well your tank product and tank maintenance work next summer.
--Peggie