Fellow sailors. Do you ever get the feeling that your sailboat has turned into an "Outhouse"? Hunter in its wisdom has put the holding tank in our 87 Hunter 31 in the V Berth, and has made it part of the inner liner. There is an inspection hole there in the middle and is covered with a Beckson Deck Plate. The offensive odor comes up through the threads around the round inspection plate into the cushions, bedding and anything else in the berth. Two years ago I replaced every hose connected to the holding tank and marine toliet with SeaLand PVC hose. Stopped the problem. I think the deck plate, which is plastic, has been permeatted just like the old holding tank hose. I am going to replace it this weekend, but would like to know if any other sailors out there have had a smiliar problem on their boat and what did you do? Going to the Head Mistress next. Thanks everyone in advance for your responses. Robert in St. Louis, MO
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The cap hasn't permeated...
Hard plastic doesn't permeate. There should be a rubber o-ring around it to seal it. Either it's missing or it needs replacing. Replacing it will solve your problem. You can get one from Beckson. If it doesn't solve the problem, my money is on permeated sanitation hoses.
Hard plastic doesn't permeate. There should be a rubber o-ring around it to seal it. Either it's missing or it needs replacing. Replacing it will solve your problem. You can get one from Beckson. If it doesn't solve the problem, my money is on permeated sanitation hoses.
Not Hunter's infinite wisdom!
Robert: I do not think that this was HUNTER's infinite wisdom. I think it was a previous owner. I suggest that you start by flushing the tank throughly and then think about either replacing the o-ring and applying a good amount of compatible lubricant or sealing up the inspection port completely.
Robert: I do not think that this was HUNTER's infinite wisdom. I think it was a previous owner. I suggest that you start by flushing the tank throughly and then think about either replacing the o-ring and applying a good amount of compatible lubricant or sealing up the inspection port completely.
additionally...
Robert: We sold our 1985 Hunter 31' last weekend. It has never had a problem with the holding tank. We replaced hoses about 12 year ago or more. I think the molded in tank is an excellent idea. It is fiberglass and can be repaired. The water tank in the aft berth has been a problem with the seal breaking and leaking but nothing with the holding tank.
Robert: We sold our 1985 Hunter 31' last weekend. It has never had a problem with the holding tank. We replaced hoses about 12 year ago or more. I think the molded in tank is an excellent idea. It is fiberglass and can be repaired. The water tank in the aft berth has been a problem with the seal breaking and leaking but nothing with the holding tank.
I removed mine and am happy now
I cut the molded in tank out and replace it with a platform and regular plastic tank. We have had no more smell issues from that area for two years now. I did not replace the hoses at that time because I had already done that a year before. Our tank was leaching smell thru the caulk that is used as a sealant between the tank lid and molded in tank, and around one of the glassed in hose fittings. It also came from around the screws used to hold the lid down. They had rubber washers under the heads as a seal. There was a rubber gasket sandwiched in between the lid and tank but it was not well positioned and had degraded in several areas. I cannot recommend this solution to everyone because it was not fun and the new tank is not as large as the original. Given that many people have had no problems it would seem that this tank can be made to work if done right. I was going to look at resealing but I was unable to get the lid off without damaging it so I just removed the whole thing. Just another point of reference.
I cut the molded in tank out and replace it with a platform and regular plastic tank. We have had no more smell issues from that area for two years now. I did not replace the hoses at that time because I had already done that a year before. Our tank was leaching smell thru the caulk that is used as a sealant between the tank lid and molded in tank, and around one of the glassed in hose fittings. It also came from around the screws used to hold the lid down. They had rubber washers under the heads as a seal. There was a rubber gasket sandwiched in between the lid and tank but it was not well positioned and had degraded in several areas. I cannot recommend this solution to everyone because it was not fun and the new tank is not as large as the original. Given that many people have had no problems it would seem that this tank can be made to work if done right. I was going to look at resealing but I was unable to get the lid off without damaging it so I just removed the whole thing. Just another point of reference.
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