I had a lot of odor around and in the holding tank compartments and in the compartments that the hoses passed through. After some research on this site and others I realized my hoses had become permeable and I replaced them with the best i could buy. I wiped down the ronco tank itself with a wet rag and couldn't detect a smell on the rag so opted not to replace the tank at about $300 with fittings and shipping cost. the odor are greatly diminished but there still is some. I have not leaks but I'm wondering if I should have gone ahead and replaced the tank as well. Does the tank become permeable to gases like the hoses do? Or perhaps is the residual odor from being absorbed in the adjacent plastic?
I know there are wise captains here who can help me with this.
Thanks
Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
Did you replace the vent hose with the others? After heading down the same road I found that the vent hose was the worst one in the system for smell. The boat is much better smelling inside this year.
Bob Wilson
S/V Morning Breeze
2003 Catalina 36, Hull 2122
York River Yacht Club
Williamsburg, VA
Yup, that vent hose is a major offender. Yes, some of the surfaces adjacent to the hose runs would have absorbed some of the odors. You should wipe down all adjacent surfaces with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. Spray some Febreze into the areas you can't get to with the 50/50 mix.
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
Thanks Bob and Nick. Yes, I did replace the vent hose at the same time. I'll act on the other advice with the vinegar wipe and the spray. I'm thinking that will do it. I'm reading then that you both agree the tank dose not necessarily have to be replaced and does not become permeable like the hoses do.
Thanks again.
Sam
Capt. Sam Murphy
1994 Catalina 36, Hull 1327
Shoal draft, two cabin model.
Panama City, Florida
I was having a lot of head odor problems as well. At he suggestion of others, I began flushing the systems with fresh water before closing it up for extended periods, and that seemed to improve things considerably. The salt water had a lot of microorganisms that when left in the hoses for extended periods produced a foul stench when the head was used for the first time after sitting for awhile.
Phil L
Southern Cross
Channel Islands, CA
C36MKI #400
On Whimsea, we teed the head intake to the sink drain at the seacock. Seakcock open = sink drain and head draw are from the sea. Seacock closed when leaving the boat, fill the basin up with fresh water, add a few drops of vinegar, then flush the head. Big difference.
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor