The Head

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angilmartin
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:27 am

The Head

Post by angilmartin »

Even though we put in the necessary chemicals and changed the hoses from the head to the holding tank, it STINKS.
The vent hose may be the problem, because I have seen residue come out when it was full.
What do I do !!
Frank

midnightsailor
Posts: 140
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:21 pm
Location: Greenport, New York

Re: The Head

Post by midnightsailor »

The vent hose is critical to proper holding tank function. You need to be sure it is not blocked. Try back flushing it from the vent opening where it exits the boat. You don't say what boat you have but on My Freedom33 it is at the stern, and most likely that is where yours is. Also be sure to check BEFORE youdo this that your boat isn't fitted with some type of vent filter device such as a carbon filter or such. If this has been added(perhaps by a previous owner?) you have to remove this first or bypass it otherwise you will either ruin it or have difficulty flushing the vent hose. Also check for any kinks in the hose, or compressed hose..anything that might restrict it. If it is blocked and you cannot unblock it you may have to then replace it. By the way , if you are getting any type of discharge from it then you need to be surte rto empty the holding take before it gets to full, other wise you WILL force tanks contents up that hose and run the risk of blocking it...small piece of toilet tissue etc. will do that !
Rick
1982 Freedom 33 Cat Ketch, Hull # 53, Standard Booms, deep keel ,tall rig
An armed man is a citizen, An unarmed man is a subject. George Washington

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GeoffSchultz
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Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:39 am
Location: BlueJacket: Guatemala
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Re: The Head

Post by GeoffSchultz »

Your hoses may also need to be replaced. I replaced all of ours a few years ago.

-- Geoff
BlueJacket
1997 Freedom 40/40
http://www.GeoffSchultz.org

wcwcwc
Posts: 94
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 12:00 pm
Location: F36 Padanaram, MA

Re: The Head

Post by wcwcwc »

If replacing hoses and freeing up the vent does not work get a copy of Get Rid of Boat Odors by Peggie Hall. She is a scientist and explains all of the odor causing "things".
Bill Cormack
Formerly Sailing F-36 "Hard Earned" out of New Bedford Yacht Club, Padanaram, MA. Now a member of Pelagic Sailing Club a New England based club whose members are about half boat owners and half crew.

AlanK
Posts: 127
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:59 pm
Location: Freedom 33 Boston, MA USA

Re: The Head

Post by AlanK »

I had my vent line clog and when I realized this was a problem it still took me a while to find and remove the clog. On my F-33 the tank was so I'm not sure if the arrangement it is the same (the vent line no longer goes to the transom) in that to fit under the settee there was a 90 degree elbow on top of the tank with small internal diameter. Being on a port tack it had clogged. Was a bitch to force a wire through to unclog. Later I added a second larger vent more to stbd on the tank with a t to the original figuring both would be unlikely to clog at the same time.

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