Marine Head and Hoses, all Models [Master Thread]
- Thread starter Filkee
- Start date
As Loren said elsewhere, the typical job for a stock head is pretty much the same for most models. Cramped and awkward and smelly.
The first test is a wipe with a damp finger on the hoses. If the finger smells, the hoses are permeated and have to go. Then it's a matter of confirming that the 40-year-old plastic holding tank isn't leaking, and if it is...yeah, that's gonna be fun. And the tank air vent hose is equally important. As are the many possible in-line valves, which if frozen make pump-out stations a hassle. When the head area is later sterilized with household cleaner, all smell should be actually, provably, gone. So the goal is real, and worth the work. Then empty the holding tank soon after using it, it isn't designed to be Fort Knox for excrement.
Nobody in his right mind uses perfumed chemicals in holding tanks anymore, as they fill the boat with the atmosphere of a trench on the Western Front in 1916. Odorlos or similar is the current vogue. But pump it out, no microbe is perfect.
ericsonyachts.org
Although Erik (Filkee) is in fresh water, boats in some lake environments also profit from the simple conversion to freshwater flush. And then there is the question of a vented loop, which keeps the toilet from overflowing when heeled (or just close the seacock).
ericsonyachts.org
Here are some blogs: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/categories/sanitation-systems.44/ , including
ericsonyachts.org
ericsonyachts.org
ericsonyachts.org
The first test is a wipe with a damp finger on the hoses. If the finger smells, the hoses are permeated and have to go. Then it's a matter of confirming that the 40-year-old plastic holding tank isn't leaking, and if it is...yeah, that's gonna be fun. And the tank air vent hose is equally important. As are the many possible in-line valves, which if frozen make pump-out stations a hassle. When the head area is later sterilized with household cleaner, all smell should be actually, provably, gone. So the goal is real, and worth the work. Then empty the holding tank soon after using it, it isn't designed to be Fort Knox for excrement.
Nobody in his right mind uses perfumed chemicals in holding tanks anymore, as they fill the boat with the atmosphere of a trench on the Western Front in 1916. Odorlos or similar is the current vogue. But pump it out, no microbe is perfect.
1971 E27 head odor…
So this is a new to me boat, I enjoyed my first season of boat ownership here in Milwaukee sailing the Great Lake Michigan! However I did not enjoy the smell of my head, which has been pumped out right when I bought her. The previous owner is a member at my yacht club and he’s very helpful with...
Although Erik (Filkee) is in fresh water, boats in some lake environments also profit from the simple conversion to freshwater flush. And then there is the question of a vented loop, which keeps the toilet from overflowing when heeled (or just close the seacock).
Seawater supply to toilet: is vented loop required?
I am in process of replacing all hoses connected to the toilet and holding tank in my 32-3. Some sources (Peggie Hall) say that there should be a vented loop in the seawater flush line between the head pump and the toilet, but there is none presently. I believe the existing plumbing arrangement...
Here are some blogs: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/categories/sanitation-systems.44/ , including
E38-200 - Replacing the Sanitation System
The smell was not bad, but you could kind of notice it. Having been on dozens of boats, I thought it was normal to have a slight “head” odor. The survey revealed what appeared to be a stuck y-valve, and a small sanitary hose leak at a fitting...
New Holding Tank, Piping & Valves
I am about to replace the 20-year-old hoses. They are starting to permeate, and some even have checking in the outer surface layer... :( Our '88 model has the then-standard Ericson "full Monty" waste management system that allows direct overboard via Y-valve, or, into a 15 gallon (Ronco Plastics...
We Didn't Mean to Replace the Holding Tank
Virginia and I purchased a very fine Ericson 34-2 last fall. When we took possession, the head had that certain odor which was never there previously during any of our inspections and sea trials. Time to investigate. We looked under the head cabinet and found the optional Ericson Rube...
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If a dedicated diaphragm pump (probably a Whale brand) is installed to pump waste overboard, it may well be worn out by now.
The consensus seems to be replace, but some are worth rebuilding.
If you don't mind a bit of wiring, a macerator is the ticket for those of us who empty the holding tank beyond the three-mile limit.
ericsonyachts.org
The consensus seems to be replace, but some are worth rebuilding.
If you don't mind a bit of wiring, a macerator is the ticket for those of us who empty the holding tank beyond the three-mile limit.
E381 - Macerator and Accumulator Replacement
Ericson 38 sailboat head plumbing macerator replacement Christian Williams Thelonious II
How do you Remove Head Hoses?
Hi folks, Early year project is to replace all the head hoses and replace the PHII pump. My system currently runs from the head to the Y valve underneath the sink, and then out towards the hull, forward to the holding tank in the port V-berth. The deck fitting hose runs out from the holding...
Raritan Head and Plumbing
Hello, Recently bought an Ericson 35-III and noticed an odor (sanitation type) after flushing - coming from outside the boat. After having someone inside flush several times and watching the outside it appears the waste is discharging from the vent well above the water line at the head area...
New Fresh Water Head Flush Installation
It seems to be common knowledge that using fresh water for flushing the head is the best protection against foul odors leaching through plumbing hoses. A few different arrangements have been used for accomplishing that in boats like ours, including: 1.) Replace the traditional head with one...
peaman
Sustaining Member
I replaced all of my hoses two years ago, and along with a unique fresh-water flush solution, all prior issues (except for small space) are resolved. Before ripping out hoses, I suggest carefully documenting how everything is installed, like which hose is above or below, or left or right of another. I didn't do that, and so had to spend some extra time figuring out the best routing of hoses to minimize low spots.
One weak point in the arrangement of tank and hoses is that both waste-in and waste-out hoses have threaded connections at the bottom of the tank. Everything is plastic, so there is a limit to how much you can tighten those fittings. Combined with the long and stiff hoses needed, it is easy to loosen the threaded connections during installation, with the possible result of an inaccessible leak. In order to mitigate that, I put an elbow fitting in each of those hoses about 24" or 30" up from the bottom. Originally those hoses ran unbroken to their respective connections. The hoses pass through an opening in the bulkhead between V berth and head. I used a coarse wood rasp to slightly enlarge, and shape the bulkhead to provide an easier path for the hoses. Also, after everything had been removed from the head cabinet, I painted everything I could reach with Interlux Brightside.
The Whale Gusher manual pump had some minor corrosion near the internal valves, so I cleaned, primed, and painted those areas before rebuilding the pump.
Originally the seat on my fixture was about 1/2" from the salon bulkhead, which seemed wrong to me. I found that by simply moving the head pump to the opposite (aft) side, the head would be centered in the available space, which to me feels much more "normal" (see pictures in link above).
Photos of plumbing of Typical E381 with macerator:
ericsonyachts.org
Head (toilet) Hose Connections Ericson 381
Here is what I believe to be Ericson factory connections. Those who wonder why anybody would bother to post this for posterity can harken back to Easter Day, 2020, when the Covid 19 plague closed society and nobody had anything better to do. A Left hose goes to holding tank. Right intake...