stinky head

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Bill Caiazza

The head stinks in the cockpit only when flushed. Then it stops. It must vent somewhere aft. Any suggestions. Bill
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

Find the vent thru-hull

That's VERY important because it should be checked regularly for any blockage...a blocked vent could cause your tank to crack during pumpout. Odor out the tank vent is the result of new "incoming" displacing air in the tank...if that "air" is stinky gasses, what comes out the vent stinks. It can be cured. For a complete explanation of why some tanks stink and some don't--and how to cure one that does, I suggest you read some of the articles in the Head Mistress Reference Library--especially the one called "Odor Control in Holding Tanks." Then, get back to me with any questions.
 
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Jeff Brooks

How I cleared the air

I have experienced this problem also. I found the air vent for the system in the starboard stern lazerette. It is a small plastic screw on cap at the top of the vapor lock before the manual pump out. I also found that if I; 1) empty the tank weekly ( regardless of the level) 2) put tank treatment chemicals in emediately after emptyingwith the first flush after empting the tank, then I do not have the odor problem.
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

That can't be right, Jeff...

CG safety regs require all holding tanks to be vented to the outside of the boat...not into a lazarette. The tank vent line should come directly off the top (or at the top of a vertical surface) of the tank and go to a thru-hull. I THINK (hope!) what you think is the vent is actually the air valve in the top of the vented loop.
 
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Marc Honey

Vented loop for sure

As usual, Peggie is right, Jeff needs to check out the "Head Mistress" site on HOW (as does Bill) and they'll both know alot more about their sanitation systems. The vent line she's talking about exits the hull fairly high on the starboard side of my 28.5 after a fairly straight run over from near the top of the holding tank. Keep it clean, never overflow it , don't us it as a "tank full" indicator and you'll be a happy camper.Leave the vented loop cap alone!
 
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Peggie Hall/HeadMistress

Jeff and I sail the same lake...

Lanier, north of Atlanta....so do several others here, and few more who aren't that far way. I suspect he's not the only one who could use a little help to understand how his system is supposed to work. :) I'd be glad spend a couple of hours explaining how systems work and answering more specific questions than is practical here. We can do it on a Saturday... Those of you on Lanier can even come by boat...I'll arrange for us to use the meeting room at UYC.. And I might even let myself be talked into taking a look at the systems on your boats If there's any interest, e-mail me: peghall@bellsouth.net. And we'll pick a mutually agreeable date.
 
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