Waste holding - bladder bag?

[Cpt. Jon]

Hello,

I have another question about the H30 I just purchased. The waste storage in this boat is a bladder style bag...It kind of scares me. Can someone with experience with this type of waste storage let me know if this is an ok system to use or if I should replace it ASAP please. I'd sure hate to have to clean up after a mess resulting from failure

Thanks!

Jon

 

[Tim R.]

Replace it with a rigid tank. It probably already smells and it will eventually leak. A rigid tank, if installed properly and maintained properly, will last much longer if not the life of your boat.

 

[Rob19574]

Yes - replace with a rigid tank and while your at it, change all your hoses. The flexible tank is the worst set-up as it does not allow any air into the tank which is needed to help breakdown and control the odor. I am sure Peggy will chime in here....use her site and book as a reference on how to properly set up and manage your system. - Rob

 

[higgs]

I have used Ronco for two head tank projects and been pleased. They have a tremendous selection of tanks. Check them out.

http://www.ronco-plastics.net/marinetanks.html

 

[Dave Groshong]

We offer Ronco tanks here in the Chandlery for a better price than anyone else! You can reach me toll free 877-932-7245 ext.116, Mon-Fri, 9-5 Pacific if you'd like to discuss.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Thanks, yeah I am planning on ordering her book soon, though this new boat is the cleanest smelling sailboat I think I've been on, I want to keep it that way. The holding 'bag' is empty and there is no smell in that area, but I'll replace that stuff I guess.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Thanks Dave, I'll save your information and give you a call sometime in the near future. I'm not quite ready to make the tank purchase. The boats not home yet, so I can't take measurements etc that I am sure I'll need and we may have to wait a month or so for the money tree to produce some more, but I'll definately be interested in pricing etc.

thanks!

 

[Marty A]

FWIW, I used a bladder tank (on a different boat) for many years without issues of leakage or smell. A rigid tank is almost certainly better, but if what you have works (and as you report, it does), and you have other projects with higher priority (safety first, always), I wouldn't move this to the top of the priority list based on material alone.

 

[Stu Jackson]

They could work just fine, and your tank could very well have the required vent. The experience that we've heard the most is chafing of the bladder tanks since they can move around somewhat. Good luck.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Weeelllll... Bladders are not a good choice for waste holding...But--

But I'm also a big fan of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" (that does NOT apply to preventive MAINTENANCE, however!). So yes, I'd advise replacing the bladder...but whether to do it now or live with it a year or two depends on a couple of factors.

1. Age of the tank...average lifespan of a bladder is about 15 years at best. So if it's getting close to 10, might as well bite the bullet and replace it now.

2. Is it vented? CG regs prohibit the use of UNvented bladders for sewage or gray water holding. So unless your tank is vented to the outside of the boat, you'll have to either install a vent or reroute one that's routed into a lazarette or locker to a new vent thru-hull, or replace the tank.

3. You said, " The holding 'bag' is empty and there is no smell in that area, but I'll replace that stuff I guess." That's a good sign that the tank isn't leaking. However, you said "no smell IN THAT AREA"...but unless there's odor in the lockers etc the hoses pass through, there's no need to replace the tank or the hoses yet. However, it's winter and nothing stinks in cold weather and the tank is empty--prob'ly thoroughly rinsed out by the seller, maybe to eliminate some odor...so the real truth about the tank and the hoses will out when the tank is full in warm weather.

4. No odor INSIDE the boat does not guarantee no odor out the vent when the toilet is flushed...I've known quite a few owners who claim to have no odor from bladders...folks who happen to be downwind when the toilet is flushed disagree. However, owners of boats on which the tank is vented out the transom are blissfully oblivious to it because there's no odor on the boat. But I have met a few--VERY few--who actually have no odor from a bladder....Marty may be one of 'em. We won't know whether you'll have odor out the vent till the weather warms up and stays warm for a while.

So while I definitely recommend replacing the tank, I don't think there's any urgent reason to do it before the season starts. Let's see where things are in July.

 

[Cpt. Jon]

Thanks for the replies, Peggie I was looking forward to yours, though I had seen a similar reply when seaching for some info on these bladders, so I kinda expected to hear "replace it ASAP". Your book is next on my list, wish I would have it already as I am getting my H25.5 ready for sale and I've always appreciated the replies that you provide on the forums here at no cost .

Our season started last week as far as I am concerned since we spent the night at anchor saturday night, but the season will abruptly end for a few months again now because we will be having a baby sometime around May 1st and who knows how soon we get out with the infant, it will be all about comfort for the whole family. That is not to say I don't get out a few time with or without my wife for overnights early on, but if I do plan on getting out with my wife and children this summer it will all depend on comfort and smell and being able to use a toilet (more important for the girls). Some big reasons for justifying getting the bigger boat have been that it's roomier so that we can still get out this season a few times with the new baby and be comfortable.

So, the holding tank and hoses are on the list to be replaced. I'll have to investigate to see how the existing system is set up (i.e. vent, etc) and how it works/smells when in use to see how soon we need to replace the existing one. Money is tight for a few months I think since we just dropped the money for this boat (at least until I can sell the H25.5, and the market what it is... you know the rest).

Again, thanks for the help so far, I'm sure I will have more questions along the way depending on how good Peggies book goes into details once I get it .

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Jon, what about the toilet?

As you noted, very important for the admiral and her all girl chiefs of staff!

Unless you have a nasty surprise or two, I have a feeling you'll make it all the way through the season with the tank and hoses...but you're gonna NEED a toilet that's easy for them to use and very reliable.

So How old is it? What's the make/model? And do you have any maintenance history from the PO?

 

[rpwillia]

Is thjere a simple link to order stuff off site

We offer Ronco tanks here in the Chandlery for a better price than anyone else! You can reach me toll free 877-932-7245 ext.116, Mon-Fri, 9-5 Pacific if you'd like to discuss.

Dave, Saw your post and was curious. I love this site and buy stuff from time to time. I have looked for things and not seen what I was looking for. Do you have a button on the main site where we could ask if you could get us things that are not listed in the Chandlery? Ray