I'm worried I don't have a header tank...

iangrant

iangrant

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I\'m worried I don\'t have a header tank...

A friend of mine, a well known and respected forumite, is considering fitting a header tank to solve the smelly heads problem, talk of flushing the intake.

I am wondering whether I need one of these, should it be made in canvas work??

Worried of Emsworth..

Ian
 
Re: I\'m worried I don\'t have a header tank...

You know that all that Old Spice, Brut, and Schwarzengger after shave you've been given at various occasions over the years. There's your answer, put some on your head and it will disguise all other head odours, repel insects and enable RAF Nimrods to track every move.

I suppose you could empty it all into a tank, but why bother?
 
Re: I\'m worried I don\'t have a header tank...

Would it not help SAR assets to acquire your position if you did without? A trail of turds would be equivalent to tying a hanky to a tree whilst orienteering ... my philosophy would be to make provision for such things then they won't be needed. Sort of sod's law in reverse ... (gawd whit a load o' shoyte ahm oan aboot ...)
 
Re: I\'m worried I don\'t have a header tank...

Oh no, you miss understand me sir - this is a header tank for a freshwater flush..

Not a holding tank, I got a holding tank..

Ian
 
Re: I\'m worried I don\'t have a header tank...

I'm still worried - this forumite is a well respected poster, dresses in womens clothes and everything - if he is fitting one, shouldn't we?

I am really concerned, mine doesn't smell, but will it?

Ian
 
Seriously though...

...smelly heads usually caused by 'stagnation' of seawater in system when the boat is left parked and unoccupied.

Regular flushing of the contrivance, which is what I imagine will be happening on board your lugger (unless you are all on a very serious diet, or are reverting to bucket'n'chuckit) should keep everything smelling sweeter than a nun's wimple.
 
Sweet Bog of Northney

Listen here mate, it's no joking matter. The smell of rotten eggs is enough to make you gag if the boat's been left for more than a week in hot weather.

It goes as soon as we start to use the bog, but the first few pumps to clear the inlet pipe take some heroics, even with all vents open and a peg on my nose.

I trawled through Headmistresse's posts and reckon it's bacterial action in the inlet pipe. Her sensible advice is to tee off a pipe by the inlet connection to the seacock and use a hose to fill the inlet with fresh water before leaving the boat.

The header tank was my refinement and I just knew I made a mistake in mentioning it you p*** taking old fart.
 
Re: Seriously though...

we've no problems with the smelly loos because we use them all the time anyway, will be using them even more over the next 12 months..


I just worry about this esteemed posters canvas bag. He's coming with us down west you see, and he may try and fit one on the way!!

Ian
 
Wafting

Even domestic toilets can become very smelly if left unflushed. The water in the trap evaporates and suddenly there is a drains smell wafting into the bog.
(I have the luxury of many toilets so the one in our semi-basement doesn't get used as much as others)

On the water we're never more than half and hour from a land-based bog.
 
Re: Seriously though...

You'll be searched upon alighting the vessel and on departure.. rum ration will be issued at four hourly intervals.. etc...

Ian
 
Re: I\'m worried I don\'t have a header tank...

oh well, but ... to ensure a good flush he'd have to fit it halfway up the mast, a sort of crows nest, where he can read the Telegraph, whilst abluting and to recover from his exertions, for several hours ...
 
chuck em out, and get some creature comforts

I'm gonna make a mobo vs raggie comment /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Why oh why do ragboat sailors put up with these bad-egg-smelling seawater flushers? Just rip the damned things out and fit mobo-esque electric freshwater flushers like these http://www.tecma.net/nautica/silence/index.html.

same amount of effort as fitting valves and header tanks. You know it makes sense and your wife/gf will definitely approve /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Seriously though...

[ QUOTE ]
You'll be searched upon alighting the vessel and on departure.. rum ration will be issued at four hourly intervals.. etc...

Ian

[/ QUOTE ]Perhaps this quote holds the answer to the problem? Have you tried striking a match to the smell? It is probably a mix of methane and sulphur and will probably clear the air with a nice 'phut' (or should that be 'fart'?). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Sweet Smells ...

My boat sits for months on end .... having had a load of currys / Fray Bentos thrown at it etc. etc. Few good flushes and close off. Return to boat months later and no problem ! Slight musty aroma about the boat - but thats normal based on being closed up with only limited ventilation ....

Funny - how many get bugs in fuel, grotty smelly bogs, flat batterys, full bilges etc. etc. I do naff all except lock up and all seems to look after itself !!

Well I am a lazy b-d when it comes to it !!
/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: Sweet Smells ...

Well, now for the definitive answer. Yes you can fit a header tank for fresh water flush. The pong comes from bacteria dying in the inlet pipe. What I did was to have a 20l container near the stopcock, fitted a Tee piece and ball valve as close to the inlet seacock as possible, with a pipe from the ball valve I could poke into the container. Turn off main seawater inlet, put pipe in container, open ball valve, pump a few times, close ball valve and exit seacock. Since doing this the loo NEVER smells even after several weeks of no use. Guaranteed to work
 
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