J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment The Toilet

About to get the head working on USA 139, any advice from the group on holding tank, pumping, etc.

1. flush and pump with plenty of fresh water first.
2. wait until the coldest day of the year when everything is frozen to pull all the old stuff. You'll have chucks instead of the alternative to deal with.
3. Pull out all the unneeded stuff, bag it and throw it away. put plastic bags and tape any loose open fittings
4. Now wait for a thaw when you can actually bend hoses
5. bring lots of disposable gloves, paper towels, disinfectant
6. measure and cut to length the hoses, then install. start from the top and save the lowest points for last so you minimize any potential mess.

Make sure that the vent for your holding tank isn't plugged. If it was ever overflowed, chances are the vent line is plugged. You can check by backfilling with a water hose

I read this on the list and it was 100% gold for me (or anyone else who lives in a locale that does not freeze):

Get a disposable dust mask and some Vicks Vapor Rub - put some of the vapor rub on the inside of the mask and put it on.

You will not smell anything but the Vicks.

I replaced the head and all plumbing using the white sanitation hose - its the stuff that West Marine sells, but you can get it MUCH cheaper at a Lowe's or Home Depot (which is what I did).

Also, use a heat gun on low to warm up the hose before putting it on the fitting - if you do this it will slide on like a charm.

A few years ago, I went out and simply bought a new head that was on sale. I think I paid about $80.00 for it. I didn't want to get involved in the new washers dance.

We have a pumpout boat that comes by once a week and does a free pumpout. While my crew doesn't use the head often, whenever they do, I have the pumpout boat come by and do the suckage. Then, I dump a gallon of Clorox lemon-scented bleach in the pumpout port on the bow followed by a freshwater rinse of the head to clean out the hoses (saltwater has nasty critters in it and stink). Don't dump the Clorox in the head. Could be hard on the washers.

The head and the V-berth area never have a bad smell.

Bob Rude
#357
Mmmmm

Rather than bleach, I keep a jug of ammonia in the compartment behind the head. When we're putting Mondial away, I splash some into the bowl and pump it through. That's always done a good job of keeping odors down and doesn't seem to harm the valves or diaphragms.

Joe

I have Hull 484, a later version and wonder the tank Capacity. It is located at the base of the anchor line locker aft of that bulkhead/Any numbers please?

A good thread that discussed this in the past at this link. The conclusion - the holding tank is about 14 gallon capacity.

Thanks again Bill
Mine is like yours. I think 14 gal sounds right.

OK dumb question time... The time has come to replace the head on my boat. Is there a specific model that we are supposed to use to keep the boat class legal?

Dominique,

There are different models based on the year of the boat. Look on the equipment suppliers page using the menu, or this direct link.