[Public-List] Bad Holding Tank

[Manza, John CIV OSD POLICY]

Thanks to everybody on the list for their encouragement on the replacement of my holding tank system with the Airhead composting system.  Stand by for some follow-on installation questions.  John


----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Mair [mailto:ramair49 at gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 08:39 PM
To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
Subject: Re: [Public-List] Bad Holding Tank

We also found the airhead to be good. Ours has done the atlantic island
circuit. Lived 2 years of constant use with two people. We ended up angling
ours slightly to allow more legroom,still facing forward. Used the dorade
box as the vent in the begining. Modified the area and put a closeable
vent. I think the mod has made it to our refit blog at
refittingintotheblue.blogspot.com Heed the warning from Kris about empting
the liquid bottle before it gets too full or you will have to lift the bowl
to get it out. Would not go back. Richard 609
On 2012-04-30 1:36 PM, "Manza, John CIV OSD POLICY" <John.Manza at osd.mil>
wrote:

> 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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