Joe, what is your layout in the salon? U-shaped dinette, or not?

Here's an idea, probably in the "oddball" category, but one that I would consider if I were faced with the lake sailor's holding tank challenge.

Just forward of the head compartment, beneath the V-berth portside, is a large area currently occupied by a 'tip-out,' plus a lot of unused space. I suppose you could convert your head to an electric head (a la the Catalina 350) that flushes into a custom tank located in that area. Remove the tip-out, and use it to fabricate a cover for the opening where the tip-out used to be. Routing the head outlet hose forward underneath the sink shouldn't be difficult. To minimize the length of other hose runs, you'd probably want to install a new holding tank pump-out fitting and a new vent line, probably routing these hoses from the V-berth into the head compartment, and then vertically up to the deck via the small oversink cabinet. There is a huge storage volume available beneath the V-berth, immediately aft of the bow water tank. You could get very creative customizing a plastic tank (or more than one tank if you remove the drawers also) for this area.

The Catalina 350's holding tank is located directly *above* its head unit, and its electric pump (with integral macerator) flushes its load upwards into that tank. I think this is evidence that the idea I am proposing will work.

By the way, if you decide to make an improvement along these or other lines, please email me ahead of time so that I can assist you in documenting and writing about such an upgrade. You're not the first person to bring up this important topic. I know there is a lot of interest out there.

Larry, now you have got me thinking as well about adding another tank for my head. It seems that we are always having it pumped out. I have the "U" shaped main salon. I will be watching this particular thread very closely as well.

If you have the u shaped dinette adding a tank is pretty easy. The tank goes in settee right in front of the galley. I only put a 9 gallon because of a ducting from my Webasto- but a friend of mine put in about 18 gallons. Put a y peice in and two pvc values in waste line and use a y or t peice to tie vent to exisiting vent. When the original tank if full open valve and fill the new tank. I also close valves so I pump one at a time.I have never tired to do both at once. I also have installed and elec sea era head and replaced old hose with white sealand. The elec head uses much less water and smell is vastly improved.

Chris Hansen
Gunkholer
2000 #1889
Lake Mich

With the U-shaped dinette, you'd be using the forward settee, the one that backs against the bulkhead that separates the salon from the head, wouldn't you? Not the one immediately in front of the galley.

Several years ago I added a "spare" waste tank to my boat. I have the "U" shaped layout and placed the spare tank in the settee that backs up to the head.

I put a 6 gal "Todd" plastic waste tank from WM into the settee storage area using a "Y" waste valve to direct the waste from the toilet to either of the 2 tanks. I "T" connected to the existing vent and installed a separate deck waste pump out connector for the spare tank.

You could fit a larger spare tank in this space but I chose to keep some storage and have not regretted my choice.

It has worked very well the few times I needed it. I'd be happy to answer questions or share photos of the installation. I remember it was hard work and requires some planning but is definitely do-able for the average skill person.

Hello Bill, I as well as others in our association, would be quite interested in seeing your upgrade of adding an additional tank for the head. I am curious, where did you locate the "Y" valve, in the head?

Larry Brandt, has kindly agreed to post my pictures and a brief description of the waste tank upgrade project I did several years ago.

If you would like further information, don't hesitate to ask.

Bill Matley

Bill's article on adding a spare holding tank under the fwd settee on the U-shaped dinette configuration is available on the C36IA Homepage, and also on the Technical-Upgrades page. His clear photographs aid understanding of the modification, and provided my first-ever look at what's behind the vertical cabinet in the head.

Thank you, Bill, for an important contribution to the C36IA.

I have been away for a while so missed this topic when it was originally posted.

We cruise extensively in the Great Lakes and like to be able to stay away from civilization for periods up to two weeks. As a result I had my 24 gallon bow water tank replaced with a 24 gallon holding tank. We don't need the extra water capacity as we cruise in fresh water and use the lake for bathing and dishwashing (except in harbours) so the remaining water capacity will last a month.

I answered a similar question 4 or 5 years ago and built a web page to explain what was done. Unfortunately the web links in it are dead (however they are not essential and just provided background).

The web page that explains what we did is [url]http://www.shimarak.net[/url] - on the menu click on 'Sailing' and then click on 'For C36 owners'

On the same website there are a selection of sailing trips/bareboat charters we have taken SDC (since digital camera) - feel free to browse.

Hi Malcolm:

Great upgrade! Did you get your new bow holding tank through Swan's? If so I wonder if Bernie has any more of them left?

Hi Tom

Yes, I got the tank through Swan's - I believe that Bernie ordered 4 (in 2004) recognizing that there would be a market in the Great Lakes and the C36 was selling well for him at the time. I believe they were sent up in a boat. I am not sure it will fit properly in a MK1 as I think the MK1 bow water tank is larger than the MKII (although if you have more room one would think it would fit).