[Public-List] Bad Holding Tank

[Mike Lehman]

I have heard good things regarding the air head. I have read a lot about it 
and done a bunch of research. Several live aboards use it with good success. 
By the time you add up the price for new hoses a holding tank and all of the 
other associated parts, an air head is not much more than a conventional 
holding tank system. I look forward to hearing more about your experience 
after a year of cruising with it.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Manza, John CIV OSD POLICY
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2012 12:36 PM
To: 'public-list at lists.alberg30.org'
Subject: [Public-List] Bad Holding Tank

When I opened up the companionway Saturday morning, I was greeted by the 
sweet smell of open sewage!

I checked hoses and clamps and found nothing...but there was a small stream 
of "stuff" oozing down the bilge from the bow to the deepest reaches of the 
bilge under the steps.  What I found was bilge juice seeping out from 
underneath the forward cabin sole.  On my 1966 version A30, the step down 
from the forward cabin to the head has a gap underneath that runs under the 
fixed flooring to the holding tank (originally the water tank) between the 
two berths.

With few options available, I pumped out the holding tank, unscrewed the 
inspection port, and dove in.  The tank itself employs the hull itself as 
two of the tank sides and has GRP walls for the back and top.  I cleaned it 
out, and with the aid of a small flashlight, I found several small cracks in 
the fiberglass in several different locations.  I'm not sure which one of 
these is the guilty party.

I had a little strategy session with my crew/wife and we discussed three 
options: (1) Reseal the inside of the current tank, (2) put a new tank in 
the locker next to the head, or (3) install a composting head.  We decided 
that a repair job would only last a few seasons...and then I would be back 
in the sewer business -- perhaps in the middle of our annual cruise.  A new 
tank is fairly expensive and would require the loss of my underway boat 
repair shop that I keep in that portside locker.  The composting option has 
been under consideration for several years...but is expensive.

We decided to go with the composting head system.  This weekend, I'm going 
to pull the hoses and seal up the existing holding tank...perhaps it will 
serve out its time as buoyancy or later will become an additional stowage 
space.  I ordered the Airhead toilet last night and plan on putting it in as 
soon as it arrives. http://www.airheadtoilet.com/

Anxious to hear insights from the group on this system.

John
JANTE II # 150



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