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Newby Dumb Question #2

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SJ
Navigator

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USA
198 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2010 : 11:06:02

I installed a marine head about 4 years ago. Not all that difficult at all, just a bit time consuming and hair raising especially when you drill holes in the bottom of the boat. Just do your home work and dont skimp on materials. Bronze for thru hu8lls and the good plumbing pipes that don't stink. Invest in the best head too, don't try and save 1-2 boat units. My holding tank is forward in the Vee berth, some west sytem, plwood and a good tank and donme. i thinkj it took me 2 weekends to complete. Well worth the effort.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2010 : 11:34:21

I'm going to do a holding tank replacement this year. A PO installed a very large, stainless tank under the V-berth, but it is higher than the head so waste is always in the cheap line. Odor control is pumping excessive amounts of water after use. Time for the location under the port settee. Surprisingly, odor isn't too bad except when the boat has been closed for a week., but none would be better.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2010 : 16:27:02

I had odor problems on my boat too. Even using the chemical to kill the odor it was bad after the boat was closed up for awhile.

After dealing with it for 6 or 8 months I finally took it around to the pump out station. Turns out the PO had left it almost full and I had never checked it. Totally my bad! It was nasty, nasty, nasty!

Although much better after emptying it there was still an odor after the boat was closed up for a week or two. Read on this forum to use fresh water instead of saltwater when flushing.

The difference is night and day! I never have an odor anymore!

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2010 : 19:26:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 ...Turns out the PO had left it almost full and I had never checked it...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Read on this forum to use fresh water instead of saltwater when flushing. The difference is night and day! I never have an odor anymore!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">You're very welcome!

I only have a 20 gallon water tank, but use it for little else, and a flush generally takes between two cups and a quart (at most) of water. Today I emptied and refilled my 3/4-full water tank because the water had been in there from the beginning of the season.

BTW, a solar vent is another nice odor preventer (and also prevents mildew in the rest of the cabin). Mine is right in the head.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2010 : 04:19:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Slingerland
 ... is it possible to retrofit a head and holding tank into one of the "nicer" boats?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I retrofitted a MSD after buying a 1979 C-25 with porta-potty. It wasn't hard, and the marine head intallation has been odor- and trouble-free for over 10 years. I used a PH-II head, Sealand(sp?) hoses, Raritan 16gal tank under the V-berth, dual 1" vent hoses, bronze & SS seacock, deck pump out, selectable flush from fresh water tank or seawater.

Gotta run to get ready for work. Details & photos available upon request.

-- Leon Sisson

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2010 : 07:40:14

On board heads are lots of trouble and a real pain. I had a 43' houseboat and took the marine head out and replaced it with the largest porta potti I could find. Maybe Peggie Hall will have some suggestions.

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Jay Schkloven
1st Mate

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USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2010 : 08:27:04

My 25 has the fixed head and it has not been any trouble in 10 years. I did put in a new joker valve when I got the boat and have had no issues. It took about 20 minutes. The pump out at the marina is usually open and it takes about 15 minutes total to tie up, pump out and clean up. The wife goes sailing whenever I want because she feel comfortable on the 25 with no bathroom issues. She is happy to go out and that makes for a happy sailor.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2010 : 13:31:12

How did the Hunter 26 sail go? if it is all about the head you should consider a Hunter 26 or 260 (same boat). It is much more trailerable and has a much nicer head. It will not sail as well but does OK.

PS you seem to misunderstand my first post. Buy the best boat and do not let her on it until you have installed the marine head for her.

Edited by - pastmember on 08/15/2010 13:32:30

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2010 : 15:20:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 ...if it is all about the head you should consider a Hunter 26 or 260 (same boat). It is much more trailerable and has a much nicer head.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Other than being a wide load and having a taller mast, how is it more trailerable? (Oh, ya... water ballast. And it's butt-ugly, which makes you want to haul it outa here!

)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/15/2010 15:24:31

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