holding tank vent

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Siler Starum's picture
Siler Starum
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Joined: 4/20/18
Posts: 113
holding tank vent

Does anybody know if there is a filter / mesh in the stanchion part of the holding tank vent?

Durk Nijdam
S/V "SILER"
Catalina 36MKII - 2001 / hullnr. 2013
Stavoren - Holland

William Matley's picture
William Matley
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Joined: 1/15/08
Posts: 166

My boat waste tank vents directly to the stanchion base with nothing filtering or impeding the air flow. 

 

Bill Matley
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan, Michigan
Lakes Huron, Michigan,
Canadian North Channel
"Spirit of Aloha" Hull #1252

Siler Starum's picture
Siler Starum
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Joined: 4/20/18
Posts: 113

I was afraid that maybe a hidden mesh was fitted in the stanchion blocking the vent of the tank but, my "black-water system problem" is luckely not caused by a blocked vent. In my perspective the vent-line is too small. Normally I would expect a vent to be at least the same diameter as the filling line. With overhauled toilet pump and with closed overboard valve it is an easy job to let the waste-tank look like a balloon...and when pumping out the head is a perfect vent...

Durk Nijdam
S/V "SILER"
Catalina 36MKII - 2001 / hullnr. 2013
Stavoren - Holland

pkeyser's picture
pkeyser
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Joined: 5/18/13
Posts: 659

Durk-
I think there's a fair amount of discussion on this site regarding holding tank venting and the consensus is that a larger vent would be a good idea to better support the bacteria in breaking waste down. Search, and I think you'll find postings on adding 2nd vent on the opposite side of the boat or expaning the size of a single vent. 

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

Parsons's picture
Parsons
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Joined: 6/2/16
Posts: 95

There is no filter or mesh in the standard Catalina stanchion vent.  That said, the hole or slit in the stanchion is very small, and unnaturally attractive to spiders, so you may have 'all natural, organic' mesh in there now!  I suggest using a garden hose each time during your pump out cycle.  Many of us have replaced the hated stanchion vent with a standard mushroom vent drilled through the hull below the rub rail, just below the stanchion.  The hose size is 5/8", I believe, and after changing to a mushroom fitting is not too small.  Many photos on this site, and other sailing sites like Sailboat Owners. Here's the inside of mine.

John Parsons
"Water Music" 1999 Catalina 36 Mk II - Hull 1771
Tall Rig, Fin Keel
Bay City, MI, USA

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