Tips on removing the holding tank and head in 1980 38ft

[paramita]

I put an airhead in my ‘84 38. One of my favorite upgrades by far. I use it as a Liveaboard no problem.

The old tank and head came out with pretty much no problem. I used a few bungs to plug hoses, trying to minimize how many I actually had to take apart. Still managed to make a bit of a mess. Nothing about it was pretty or fun. But again for me personally, I love not having the black water, nothing complex to break or fix, zero stink, and being able to empty everything out in a few minutes without leaving the dock, or hiring a mobile pump out.

I’m in Seattle if you ever want to take a look.

 

[Christian Williams]

As requested, new Master Thread for toilet issues all models, including E32-3 specific.

 

[Bolo]

I've replaced all of the hoses, holding tank, rebuilt the hand pump (twice) and even replaced the head (toilet) over the years and here is my best advice for doing the job.



FWIW: I originally used this image of me when masking first came out during COVID. Never thought I get to use it again for a completely different subject.

 

[EricFox]

Just an upvote for going to a composting head. I battled odors for our first two seasons with the E38 - replaced all of the hoses the first year, removed the tank to bleach the inside, ran extra ventilation from the locker holding the tank the second year, tried all manner of tank deoderizers and etc. All of that reduced the odors, but didn't eliminate them. Finally I bit the bullet this past spring - installed a Nature's Head, and removed the old holding tank and all of the hoses. The odors went away immediately. And the composting toilet was odor-free all summer. My main conclusion is that after 40 years of use the holding tank was simply too saturated to salvage. My only regret with the composting toilet is that I didn't bite the bullet and go in that direction sooner. Suffice it say that my wife was much happier this past summer. If you are considering a composting head but having doubts, my advice is to go for it.

 

[Filkee]

I’ve committed to the send on a tank, but curious if anyone else has gone AirHead in a 32. A little less room than a 38.

 

[AK67]

Replaced the original marine toilet on my E29 with a composting toilet last year. The vent/fan is crucial to top performance. No smell whatsoever. Dumping/changing the medium about every 45 days is easy. Again no smell or mess
I use the bricks of ground coconut shells for the medium. Also you can put the paper in as well. A case of the coconut bricks from Amazon last a year easily. I installed the "Nature's Head" brand ...not cheap but worth it if you choose to go that route. I'm on a lake and pump out facilities are not convenient. I empty the "bucket" into a large construction bag and throw it in the dumpster at the marina..I admit I was dreading the emptying the first time but it wasn't much different than fresh dirt.

is it fair to say there's also no smell on deck when downwind of the vent?

 

[EricFox]

I had wondered about odours on deck, but based on my experience there were none unless you stick your nose right up to the vent and someone has very recently deposited fresh solids in the toilet. I supposed if that was a problem you could add one of those carbon filters to the vent line.

 

[Captain Pete]

I can appreciate the many merits of composting heads when it comes to handling solids, including TP, but I often wonder how folks realistically handle the liquids in a no discharge world - do they actually transport "pee" jugs back and forth to shore for proper disposal? Not sure I would be so diligent in compliance with the rules...

 

[RonB.]

Just installed an Airhead on my 35-3. It’s a major improvement I had replaced everything but the holding tank on the old system. I even cut an access hole in the holding tank and cleaned it. That was fun. Still had that smell. I think the tank plastic just smells after all those years. Ripped out everything and… no more smell! Plus, a huge storage area and two less through hull valves. The system is very simple and clean now.

 

[AlanO]

I can appreciate the many merits of composting heads when it comes to handling solids, including TP, but I often wonder how folks realistically handle the liquids in a no discharge world - do they actually transport "pee" jugs back and forth to shore for proper disposal? Not sure I would be so diligent in compliance with the rules...

One of the POs installed a composting head on Gravlax. We bought a spare liquid holding tank to swap out and provide a little insurance. Emptying the liquid tank is no worse and perhaps better than regular stops at the pumpout dock. The solids tank clean out is also easy. Our only complaint is the install is a bit cramped.

 

[David Vaughn]

… but I often wonder how folks realistically handle the liquids in a no discharge world - do they actually transport "pee" jugs back and forth to shore for proper disposal? Not sure I would be so diligent in compliance with the rules...

We installed an OGO composting toilet almost three years ago. Very pleased. Bought two extra jugs for a total of three. They are stored in a portion of the old holding tank location. One jug (2.5 gallons) for the two of us lasts about three days.

To your question, yes we do transport them back to shore. For us, that’s a short walk from our slip to the marina bathhouse. Or a short walk to the restroom at a transient dock. Jug fits nicely on one of those reusable grocery bags. Dumping the jug can be done in any toilet, as it is just pee; no extra chemicals or deodorizers like a portable toilet might use.
So much easier than having to take the entire boat to a pump out station.