i Just purchased a beneteau 331 which i keep in western long island sound. when i use the head for the first time after a week or so of non use, i get a horrible sulfur smell when i flush. never had this problem with my old boat (an oday 31). i would guess this might just be some stale seawater in the intake, but i never got this smell in my old boat and i have never known seawater to take on such a horrible sulfuric smell. any ideas.
sulfur smell
- Thread starter James Hill
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Hoses and Bowl
We have this problem from time to time, usually when there has been red tide. My suggestion is take the intake line off. Mix some CP with fresh water, about a quart or so. Pump it into the head until it comes through the bowl but is still in the intake line too. Let sit overnight. Re-attach intake. I think you'll find it's no longer a problem. This, of course, assumes the smell is from the head itself and not from outside from the holding tank vent. I used to do it with bleach, but I don't think it is as effective and it isn't good on the pump. Rick D.
We have this problem from time to time, usually when there has been red tide. My suggestion is take the intake line off. Mix some CP with fresh water, about a quart or so. Pump it into the head until it comes through the bowl but is still in the intake line too. Let sit overnight. Re-attach intake. I think you'll find it's no longer a problem. This, of course, assumes the smell is from the head itself and not from outside from the holding tank vent. I used to do it with bleach, but I don't think it is as effective and it isn't good on the pump. Rick D.
Good advice, Rick...but
I'm not sure he's clear that you don't just pour the water/CP mixture down the toilet...but put it in a container and stick the end of the intake hose in it after he disconnects the hose from the thru-hull. The problem is indeed stagnant sea water trapped in the head intake, pump and channel in the rim of the bowl...the micro--and not so micro--organisms in it die and decay...and stink. If it's a continuing problem, not just occasional, you'll prob'ly want a more permanent cure that doesn't require pulling the intake hose off the thru-hull every time you return the boat after a few days. And it's not hard to do: On many sailboats, the head sink drain already shares the same through-hull with the toilet intake. Although most powerboat sinks drain through a separate through-hull above the waterline, there’s certainly no reason why the sink on any sailboat or powerboat can’t share the same through-hull, provided the toilet and sink are on the same side of the boat, and the head intake through-hull is close to both. If they are, it’s a simple matter to tee or wye the sink drain hose into the head intake hose next to the seacock; both hoses are typically the same size: ¾” ID. After you’ve closed the head intake seacock in preparation to close up the boat, fill the sink with fresh clean water and flush the toilet. Because the seacock is closed, the toilet will draw the water out of the sink, rinsing the sea water out of the entire system. If your toilet is electric, be careful not to let it run dry…doing so can burn out the intake impeller. It will also be necessary to keep the sink plugged except when in use, either by installing a conveniently located shut-off valve in the drain hose or with a rubber sink plug. Otherwise the toilet will pull air through the sink, preventing it from priming.
I'm not sure he's clear that you don't just pour the water/CP mixture down the toilet...but put it in a container and stick the end of the intake hose in it after he disconnects the hose from the thru-hull. The problem is indeed stagnant sea water trapped in the head intake, pump and channel in the rim of the bowl...the micro--and not so micro--organisms in it die and decay...and stink. If it's a continuing problem, not just occasional, you'll prob'ly want a more permanent cure that doesn't require pulling the intake hose off the thru-hull every time you return the boat after a few days. And it's not hard to do: On many sailboats, the head sink drain already shares the same through-hull with the toilet intake. Although most powerboat sinks drain through a separate through-hull above the waterline, there’s certainly no reason why the sink on any sailboat or powerboat can’t share the same through-hull, provided the toilet and sink are on the same side of the boat, and the head intake through-hull is close to both. If they are, it’s a simple matter to tee or wye the sink drain hose into the head intake hose next to the seacock; both hoses are typically the same size: ¾” ID. After you’ve closed the head intake seacock in preparation to close up the boat, fill the sink with fresh clean water and flush the toilet. Because the seacock is closed, the toilet will draw the water out of the sink, rinsing the sea water out of the entire system. If your toilet is electric, be careful not to let it run dry…doing so can burn out the intake impeller. It will also be necessary to keep the sink plugged except when in use, either by installing a conveniently located shut-off valve in the drain hose or with a rubber sink plug. Otherwise the toilet will pull air through the sink, preventing it from priming.
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