After reading Rick Powers' "Black Waste Coming Up Stanchion Tube" I decided to take a closer look at the Head System on my boat. Another reason for taking a closer look was the odor coming from my stanchion tube was progressively getting worse as the sailing season was progressing. I tried vinegar, odor tablets, flushing, pumping all to no avail. AND it was getting so bad you could smell an offensive odor coming from the stanchion vent when flushing the head and a slight odor when sailing.
I knew the PO used the wrong hoses for the job from previous projects. The PO used exhaust hose for all of the sanitation hoses from the head to the tank and to the pump out ports. The PO even used braded water line for the vent line from the top of the holding tank to the stanchion tube.
After a close inspection I determined the exhaust hoses were pretty much holding their own for now but the water hose used for the vent was sticky had a really noticeable odor.
I purchased new 1 1/2" sanitation hose and ran new hose from the head up to the vented loop and down to the 90 elbow running to the holding tank.
I purchased new 5/8" sanitation hose and ran a new line from the holding tank vent to the stanchion vent. I also determined the vented loop vent was only closing about 80-90% so I installed a new vented loop.
After completing the job I flushed the head several times. It appeared the odor I once had was now gone. Not wanting to take any chances I installed a Sealand Saniguard odor filter inline between the holding tank and stanchion.
In order to complete my project I had to remove the small shelf in the cabinet above the head and alter the holes the original 1 1/2" hoses passed through for the original vented loop. The new vented loop was slightly closer in spread. Cutting the shelf between the two holes did the job. In order to allow for the odor filter I had to use a hole saw to cut a 3" hole in the small shelf and then cut the shelf straight towards the hull to allow easy access to install and remove the filter. I have attached two photos to help out as a visual.
One project down and another to start soon. I now need to run new hose from the holding tank to my 3 way valve and then to the pump-out port and sea cock.
As I said the PO used exhaust hose. It seems much larger than the 1 1/2" sanitation hose running from the head to the 90 elbow. What size sanitation hose do I need to purchase to finish the job. I'm guessing the 1 1/2" sanitation hose will do the job. Can someone help me out?
Thanks,
Chris
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA
Chris - the size of the vent hose must be closer to 5/8". At least I do not believe it is 1 1/2".
I use fresh water to flush - it removed any lingering odor.
By the way - I see no images on your post.
Correction - I see the images now .
Haro Bayandorian, 1999 C36 MKII, Sail La Vie #1787, M35B,
Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA.
Haro,
You should have the photos by now. My photos were too large jpeg for our site.
The vent portion of the project is done. I used 5/8" hose sanitation hose. The PO used exhaust hose for all of the main lines used to deliver and remove waste from the holding tank. The exhaust hose seems to be larger than the 1 1/2" sanitation hose I would expect to be used in the original install. The 90 elbow used by the PO for the hosed from the head to the tank was a black iron elbow with two threaded nipples on either end. It appears the PO used two SS clamps to secure the exhaust hoses to prevent any leakage. It also appears the hoses are a bit too large for the original system. Even with two SS clamps you can see where there was some minute leakage. What I need to know is the correct size of sanitation hose that runs from he 90 elbow at the bottom of the vented loop towards the tank and onto the pump-out port and sea cock. I am guessing it is 1 1/2" sanitation hose...
Thanks,
Chris
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA
1 1/2" is typically what it is.
I just replaced the hose from the macerator to the seacock - it's 1" sanitation hose. Had to heat the ends with a hair dryer to get them on.
The hose from the head to the tank is 1 1/2".
2000 C36 MKII 1825
Thanks for the information. It sounds like the 1 1/2" sanitation hose is the correct size.
Regarding heating the hose I had a similar project on my previous boat. I spent a good 3 hours trying to slip the hose over the holding tank and head fittings. After spending all of that time I broke down and bought a heat gun. I had all of the hoses secure on their fittings in less than 30 minutes. A word of caution. Don't overheat the hose. It become mush and deforms.
Thanks again for all of the info...
Chris
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA
You can also use dish soap to lube up the fittings, that might not work by itself to get the hose all the way on but it lets you cut down on the amount of heat needed and then you can shove harder on them without them deforming.
I find myself getting somewhat confused. Looking at the picture I think the PO used a standard plumbing vent loop(Household) as it looks much larger than what is on my boat. I believe all my vent hoses and vented loop hoses are 5/8" or there abouts. 11/2" sounds correct for the rest of the plumbing for the waste. Correct on 1" also for the macerator.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
[QUOTE=chs1517;18817]
As I said the PO used exhaust hose. It seems much larger than the 1 1/2" sanitation hose running from the head to the 90 elbow. What size sanitation hose do I need to purchase to finish the job. I'm guessing the 1 1/2" sanitation hose will do the job. Can someone help me out?
Thanks,
Chris[/QUOTE]
Rant On....
Guys,
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do yourselves a favor and STOP USING THE WHITE PVC SANITATION HOSE. Unless you want to throw your hard earned money straight out the window this stuff is PURE GARBAGE. It can odor permeate in as little as 12 months but almost always in less than 2 years.
[B]
DO NOT USE:[/B]
Trident #148
Trident #140
Shields #144
Shields #148
Clear PVC Anything
The above hoses are pure unadulterated JUNK and a wallet draining rip off. Please stop supporting the companies that make this crap by purchasing it. It is NOT a sanitation hose no matter what they tell you.. If you want your vessel to smell like a cess-pool go for it, otherwise use Trident #101 or Trident #102.
[B]Do Use:[/B]
Trident #101 (black)
Trident #102 (white)
[B]Then if you can't get #101 or #102:[/B]
Shields Poly X
Raritan Sani/Flex Hose (this may be the new "best" sanitation hose but we need more years of data to prove it)
Shields #101 (this is NOT the same quality hose as Trident #101/102 but far better than any of the white PVC junk)
Just spent all day yesterday in a boat with "new hose" which was 1.5 season old Shields #148. It is totally odor permeated. It was so bad I opened every port and hatch and still felt nauseous. The boat yard charged him 3k for a brand new holding tank and 100% new hoses, 16 months ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With our brand new 2005 Catalina 310 the crappy factory white PVC hose was permeating by the early summer of 2006 (less than 12 months) and we use Odorlos religiously.
We are on our 8th season with Trident #101 and ZERO, ZERO, ZERO boat odor....... If you want your boat to smell its best Trident #101 or #102 are the ONLY time-proven hoses that can do so.
Rant off.....;)
P.S. For the 5/8" vent hose Trident series 100 (wet-exhaust hose) in either wire reinforced or non-wire is a very similar construction to Trident #101 and will easily last 7-12 + years.. Any Trident wet exhaust hose will outperform ANY of the crappy white PVC "sanitation" hoses by about 3 - 5 times. Trident #101/102 however is even better.
-Maine Sail
https://www.marinehowto.com/
Gary,
The head on my boat was plumbed with a vented loop above the head. The head discharges to a 1 1/2" hose that goes vertical above the water line to a vented loop. The return hose goes down to a 90 elbow that passes through the wall and heads towards the holding tank. The vented loop you see is a 1 1/2" Marine Vented Loop. The valve on top looks a little different than the standard 5/8" loops installed in my boat. The anti siphon valve has the ability to install a small hose that can vent to the bilge. The PO had a "T" installed in the vent line and vented the anti siphon to the vent hose leading to the vent stanchion. I have not decided where I am going to vent the anti siphon if I do it at all?
After I purchased my boat several years ago I determined the PO had installed a small piece of rubber in the anti siphon valve in the original head vented loop. The PO had walked away from my boat prior to me taking possession. There were a lot of fixes needed including pumping out the holding tank. The day after I emptied the holding tank I discovered the tank was full. I pumped the tank out again and found the holding tank full the next day. When I found the anti siphon valve compromised I removed the piece of rubber allowing the vented loop to work. I discovered without a working vented loop after flushing the head a siphon process was set in motion filling up the holding tank. I was lucky the holding tank didn't fail.
Am I getting the impression my head is plumbed different than other boats? Do other boats pump directly from the head to the holding tank. I did notice the holes for my hoses seem to be aftermarket drilled holes?
Chris
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA
Chris,
Yes I believe your system is different, my head and it was the same on my 30Catalina waste was plumbed directly to the tank. Teh stanchon vent came right from the top of the holding tank to the vent. I have a filter on mine, but it is behind the small dropdown door behind the head. The antisyphon is totally for the raw water.
I think in the owners manual you will find the standard plumbing arrangement for your boat.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Gary,
Thanks for the info. The vented loop off of the head and to the holding tank must be an add-on by the PO. It all makes sense now. I did pull up a couple of head plumbing diagrams and manuals all of which did not have a vented loop. They all ran directly to the holding tank "Y" valve.
Well, I have an extra vented loop for that just in case nasty siphon experience. One can't be too careful.
I will tackle the remaining hose issue in a couple of weeks after vacation. It will give me plenty of time to think about the project.
Chris
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA