Gravity fed holding tank woes

coopec said:
I'm looking forward to my last century type toilet stuffing up because I'll get my angle grinder out (with a new cutting disc) and chop the whole lot out and replace it with a compost toilet.

But that's after I gethe yacht in the water.

And yes PVB I've been building it for 20 years!?. (PVB What about uploading some shots of the yacht you built?)?
Click to expand...

I prefer to keep my boats on the water, rather than in the garden! ;)
 
alexincornwall said:
Hi all,

If you're currently eating a meal then perhaps move on to another thread for now...

We're currently having a lovely time cruising the Vendee coast but have run into a nasty issue with our holding tank, which I can't quite get my head around. Suggestions very welcome, particularly those that don't involve me getting my hands too dirty.

Like most cruisers, we open the holding tank when offshore, and then close again in marinas. We've never had any issues with our gravity fed system but now something seems to be amiss. A few days ago I was getting a distinctive whiff of what I had diagnosed a full holding tank. This came as a surprise as it had been opened just a couple of days before. My diagnosis was unfortunately confirmed when, much to my horror, I observed the contents escaping through the tank vent whilst another family member flushed.

I assumed that something had blocked the tank at the outlet pipe (probably the kids using excessive tissue), so I condemned the heads until we could reach a pump out station, which we did the next day. That all went fine but I couldn't guarantee that the blockage would have been removed. So, with the pump in operation, I opened the holding tank seacock and much to my relief, could hear seawater being sucked into the tank via the pump out vacuum. That's it I thought, we have water coming up through the outlet, therefore the blockage must be removed and the contents will flow out.

Unfortunately, it would appear not. The holding tank has been slowly filling up again but when I open the seacock I still don't hear the swoosh of liquid leaving the boat. It would appear that there is still a blockage, but I can't understand where given the successful experiment at the pump out station.

I'm preparing myself for another pump out and then donning as much PPE as possible for an internal tank inspection, but hoping one of you will spare me with the answer to my problem please.
Click to expand...
Well done you for having a holding tank - even today, too many yachts pump out onto children paddling in the shallows - shame on them
 
pvb said:
It's my little Aussie stalker's idea of humour; I don't think he has much sense of humour. Mind you, spending 20 years trying to fit out a hull in the garden would kill most people's sense of humour! :D
Click to expand...

Oh I think Clive's humour is spot one and I feel sorry for anyone who cannot laugh at themselves.

spending 20 years building a boat shows commitment and tenacity. You have no idea how much time and resources Clive has to work on his boat. The hull of my boat was built in 1978 by someone else and passed through at least 2 or 3 other owners before I purchased and completed it. I had both time and money to buy whatever I needed before I needed it and I could employ people to do some of the donkey work like longboarding the hull to get a fair shape.

So to make a comment like that without understanding the circumstances or even building a boat from scratch is very disingenuous and is no more than sarcasm.

Comments like this on a PBO forum which have lots of knowledge people who know what building a boat takes doue you no favours.

As far a "killing most people sense of humour". Well people who start and build a boat from scratch could not be considered as "most people" as few have the stamina and commitment. Its more the satisfaction of completing a build yourself gives you a great sense of satisfaction.

I am sure Richard gets a great satisfaction from his cars and renovating and servicing then himself.

It me you seem to get a twisted satisfaction by criticising people and trying to put people down who have the audacity to challenge you and you sarcastic comments.

The End.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
RichardS said:
OK guys .... what's going on here? I'm not sure that PBO is ready for all this x-rated stuff. :oops:

;)

Richard
Click to expand...

Sorry Richard a typo

Should be servicing, YOUR CARS not any lady BTW.

I know some people are in love with their cars and /or their boats but as you say not for PBO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top