Dear Head Mistress,
On my 1994 Hunter 37.5, foul odors come from the holding tank vent on the outside of the boat whenever the head is pumped into it (Imagine that!). I do use holding tank treatment (usually the blue or green stuff from West Marine), but my discipline is not good enough to always remember to use it. Of course I realize that the tank is not a pleasant smelling place, but the head treatment seems to be having no affect lately. If rafted up, or the cockpit is occuppied, I can often offend folks with the odor. I do not think this is how it should be, nor do I recall always having the problem in the 12 years I've owned the boat.
I read in your responses to other related issues you question if enough air is getting into the tank to get enough oxygen, therefore keep it "aerobic". If that's the problem, I probably need to be sure the tank vent is clear. It is barely 12-18" of hose from the tank to the outside and probably 3/4". But, I am concerned if there is perhaps a lingering problem within the tank. I would expect that the factory set up is adequate without adding another vent as you have on occassion recommened. Is there something I can do to assure it is cleaned out? I usually use the macerator and pump over board when offshore, but also use the pump out station at the local fuel dock. I have no way of knowing how emptied the tank really is.
Any suggestions? Thanks, Steve
On my 1994 Hunter 37.5, foul odors come from the holding tank vent on the outside of the boat whenever the head is pumped into it (Imagine that!). I do use holding tank treatment (usually the blue or green stuff from West Marine), but my discipline is not good enough to always remember to use it. Of course I realize that the tank is not a pleasant smelling place, but the head treatment seems to be having no affect lately. If rafted up, or the cockpit is occuppied, I can often offend folks with the odor. I do not think this is how it should be, nor do I recall always having the problem in the 12 years I've owned the boat.
I read in your responses to other related issues you question if enough air is getting into the tank to get enough oxygen, therefore keep it "aerobic". If that's the problem, I probably need to be sure the tank vent is clear. It is barely 12-18" of hose from the tank to the outside and probably 3/4". But, I am concerned if there is perhaps a lingering problem within the tank. I would expect that the factory set up is adequate without adding another vent as you have on occassion recommened. Is there something I can do to assure it is cleaned out? I usually use the macerator and pump over board when offshore, but also use the pump out station at the local fuel dock. I have no way of knowing how emptied the tank really is.
Any suggestions? Thanks, Steve
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