smelly holding tank pipes

[muminator]

We're taking possession of a two year old Legend 326 this weekend. It has a holding tank and the pipes from the heads run a long way aft. The boat has not been used for several months, and there is a bit of a smell leaking into the saloon. The holding tank is empty and we're hoping that once she is being regularly sailed, this smell will fade. Does anyone have any tips for flushing the pipes through?

Any tips for a nervous crewmember who hasn't blinked since we put the deposit down on this boat?

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[HeadMistress]

If the hoses have permeated with odor, there is no cure except new hoses. To find out if they're the source of the odor, wet a clean rag in hot water...wring it out and wrap it around a low point in the hose....leave it till it cools, then remove the rag and smell it. Check all hoses and hose sections, using a clean rag each time. If you can smell the same odor on the rag, the hoses have permeated. If you can't smell anything on the rags, the hoses are fine.

A wet bilge is another likely source. It's a dark stagnant swamp that can easily smell like one, or even like a sewer. Same is true of a dirty sump. Clean both--not just by dumping in some bilge cleaner and letting the bilge pump do the rest, but really clean them, followed by flushing all the dirty water out.

Unless the tank is metal or a bladder, you should be able to rule it out as the source. Non-metal tanks don't permeate, although they can leak around fittings...fill with water and check for signs of moisture. Unfortunately, though, urine can and will eat through a metal tank, even 316 stainless...maximum lifespan is about 10 years (any that are significantly older weren't connected earlier than that). If you suspect a leaking tank--either the tank itself or leaky fittings, put some food coloring in the water when you fill it.

In running down the source of odor, remember that odors are always strongest at their source. They will not fade on their own..opening hatches may air out the boat, but until the source(s) are located and eliminated, they'll come right back when the boat is closed up again.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[andyball]

we had noticeable smell from holding tank pipes- only when bulkheads/lockers revealing the pipes were open.... & not really unpleasant......anyway, since fitting a freshwater flush toilet it's all but gone : handy that, since changing the pipe required major glued/screwed joinery removal.

 

[muminator]

Many thanks, we'll try those suggestions. It's not an old boat and we've had a full survey done which didn't point up any problems in that area, but I suppose we'll have to see how it goes.

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[sundance]

We have a 326 and have had some problems with the head/holding tank system, which are slowly being resolved with time and experience. It's a long pipe run to the holding tank on the 326 and most owners don't pump the loo sufficient times to 'clear' the hose of foul water and/or matter. We find at least 20 strokes is required. If you don't follow this rule of thumb, smells do accumulate in the hose and can filter back into the head and thus the saloon. Obviously if the boat has not been used for a while, such accumulations in the hose will linger and 'multiply' and the resultant foul odours will 'strengthen' and take longer to get rid of - but in time, in our experience, they do.
A further consideration with the 326 is that the grey water from the shower is gravity discharged directly to the bilge, from where it is discharged overboard automatically by the bilge pump. Unpleasant smells can therefore build up in the bilge if you do not keep it clean. We find that flushing out the bilge once a forthnight to once a month (depending on use) takes care of this - not to mention the important issue of keeping the bilge free of hair etc that could clog your bilge pump. We like this silent passive way of dealing with shower waste water, but it does require keeping a regular eye on your bilge, which, let's face it you should do anyway!

Good luck with the 326. It's a great boat, once you get over the teething problems.
We had ours screaming comfortably out of St. Tropez bay last week at 8 knots with one reef in a force 4-5 with no assistence from waves or sea, which throws the old square root of the waterline length multiplied by 1.30 or 1.40 etc. rule out the door.

Good Sailing
James



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[muminator]

Thanks James, very helpful and encouraging advice. I can't wait to get her out on the water now!

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[HeadMistress]

Sundance, installing a sump and sump pump with automatic float switch for your shower water and anything else that drains into the bilge would make your life much easier. Cleaning a sump is much easier than cleaning the whole bilge and it also eliminates the risk of hair, soap scum etc disabling your bilge pumps when you need them most.

Andy, if switching to a toilet designed to use fresh water solved your odor problem, it's unlikely that permeated hoses were the source of the odor...more likely it was due to stagnant sea water trapped in the pump and channel in the rim of the bowl and also in the head discharge hose, escaping back through the toilet to prevade the boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[andyball]

Thanks Peggy, but was definitely from the hoses....there's maybe 12' of cheap wire reinf. pvc from toilet to tank & the odour was only ever noticeable when inspection panels exposing sections of the pipe were removed.

There was a different smell back from the knackered old toilet, which has gone too, of course.

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