Replacing Holding Tank and Hoses

[Chip Ehrlich]

Peggy: I've tried all of your recommendations concerning how to eliminate holding tank odors. I've wrapped the hoses in Saran Wrap. I've washed the system several times with clear water and both white vinegar and bleach. I've used cat liter and sprays and you name it. Alas, no luck. I'm going for total change now of a new bladder holding tank and all new hoses in my 31' Hunter. Using the best parts and supplies and having my marina doing the work, what kind of a cost should I be looking at? I've been told that the labor is the biggest part of this job. I just don't want to get taken to the "head" cleaners.Thanks for your reply.Chip

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Has it occurred to you it may NOT be "Head" odor

Odor inside the boat rarely comes from inside a holding tank unless the tank is leaking. You've wrapped the hoses in Saran Wrap, so it can't be stinky hoses. So replacing the whole system prob'ly won't solve your problem, 'cuz your odor problems may not have anything to do with your sanitation system at all. Lotsa things can stink on a boat, and CAN smell just like a sewer.Check out two articles in the HM Reference Library before you tart replacing anything: "Boat Odor Isn't All in Your Head," and "Head Related Odors, Causes and Cures"

 

[Debra Blatnik]

If you do go ahead and replace

Consider doing it yourself. It isn't as bad as you think.I just replaced the head in my boat with the help of a friend. We replaced the holding tank (bladder), and all the hoses, y-valves and pump. It took 3 half days -- early morning, and late evening, it being to hot to work in the dead of the afternoon.Getting the old equipement out of the boat wasn't bad. Whenever a hose was cut or disconnected, we sealed the end with duct tape. And we lots of garbage bags handy.The worst part about getting things back in place was cutting the black sanitation hose. The white hose (I had to buy half each due to shortages) went on the fittings easy enough with a little heat from a hair dryer.Good luck.

 

[J. Hrab]

Head replacement

Just finished replacing my aluminiumtank with a bladder in my Vision 32.Peggy was right, it was corroded andhad several holes in it.My mechanic cut the aluminum tank in half, a very hard job, and removed it entirely; the problem was it was encased in fiberglass. I spend a day and a half cutting all the remainswith a dremmel (a hard job) smoothedall planes and installed a bladderwith brand new hoses all around.The installation took less than an hourbut the fiberglass removel was tedious(no room to work)hard job (3 hours).Good luck with yours,J.B. Hrab

 

[Ray Bowles]

Peggy could have the right idea.

On my fathers old Chris Craft 27 he had a similar problem. Turned out to be a dead critter that slowly rotted away some more every time it got wet.The boat would be a lovely item today as it was a 1947 model, but I'll bet it still stinks. Ray