Location for holding tank for new head

[SailorLiz]

Well, the snow has melted and we finally uncovered the commander this weekend and climbed on board.  We came up with another idea for a holding tank. Why can't we just use the old water tank?  I'm not for sure if this one leaks, (we are going to try it out, as we have never used it) but if not, my hubby says we can buy the fittings for the tank and convert it to a holding tank for a manual head. We would put the marine head in the space where the port-potti is. It did have a manufactures name plate on it, but I didn't get the name. I'm not for sure if this is a steel or monal tank, but it is metal.  I think this would get us by here in the Great Lakes and the North Channel.  We would then buy a flexible freshwater tank to put on the starboard side under the v-berth for the sink.  Any opinions?

[Scott Galloway]

Liz,

I am interested in the outcome of your decision. Does using the water tank as a waste holding tank offer you the opportunity to run your through-deck pump-out and vent line from the holding tank forward through the anchor locker and up to the deck rather than try to conceal those lines as they run through the crew quarters in the V Berth area?

[SailorLiz]

Yes, it does.  That was another reason for using it.  It already has a vent for the water tank, so we just need to reroute it? I also went through some old paperwork from the previous owner.  He had a survey done (for insurance purposes) and the surveyor says it  is aluminum.  So now we need to go back to the boat and check the tank out to make sure it won't leak.  I am placing an order today with Defender for a manual compact toilet, a though hull fitting, seacocks and a deck plate for waste. Will order hoses and other stuff after we decide for sure where the plumbing will be going.

[mrgnstrn]

just one word of caution, make sure that the old water tank material is compatible with sewage.
fiberglass might be ok, but most metal tanks aren't.
but if it is metal, you might be able to yank it out, cut the top off, put a good few layers of really thick epoxy, or something to cover/conceal the metal, and then put the top back on (maybe a few layers of fiberglass tape).

i had gone through this thought process too.
but i figured that it would be easier to make a tank, stitch and glue style, than to refurb/convert the actual old tank.
using the drawing in the manual, you can do a little math and figure out all the lengths and angles on each piece of wood.  then just a little(lot) bit of epoxy, and you're in business!

but i like your idea of using that space to house the holding tank.

[ebb]

2 and a half cents from yer west coast epoxier...
First, I would guess that if the bow tank is monel or stainless that it would be ok to use as a waste tank.  What is the scuttlebutt on these metals - does anybody know for sure?

Having removed my monel tank, and epoxy and matted in a chain locker, I can say that it would be pretty easy to create a tank in that area using the already glassed in V-berth (cut back to remove the tank per the Manual) as your parameter.  Epoxy IMCO would make an excelent holding tank.  100% solids epoxy only, Please!  Prepping the hull under the V-berth is pretty easy as Pearson didn't spray paint in there.

Just to throw this out too... wouldn't it also be possible to still have a small bow tank or bladder for potable water up there too?  Depending, of course, on your use of the forepeak: sails, chain, anchors, line, etc.

[SailorLiz]

I just spoke with a guy from Defender. He said maybe we would get five years from an aluminum tank. But he also pointed out on their web page, that there is a waste bow tank made. So if need be, looks like we can order one to fit.

Here is the link  http://www.defender.com/cgi-bin/Web_store/web_store.cgi?cart_id=:)

[mrgnstrn]

whatever happened to that monel tank?

[Bill]

I got there first!

[mrgnstrn]

aww, nuts.

[Sprite]

I am probably going to go with a new sealand sanipottie. The
boatyard that is helping me with some of the work recommended
it due  to the complications of putting the tank and pipes in. The
stainless steel brackets are still there so it's easier to do,:)

[SailorLiz]

Well sorry guys, I didn't follow thru with this thread, as to what we finally did. I have pictures of the conversion and installation, that I will post in the gallery.  We did figure out that the tank is indeed monel. (I have forgotten now the "research time" involved with this).  We figured at least three years of use, before having to replace with a plastic tank.  We purchased a Wilcox-Crittedeon compact manual head.  We then proceeded to purchase other plumbing parts. Some from hardware stores and others from Defender, and the local West Marine.  After spending apporx. $350.00 we have a head with a holding tank of approx. 8.5 gals.  Check out the pictures, then you can post your questions, and I will try to answer them the best that I can.

Fair Winds

[vanguard64]

Hi,
I have removed the old marine head and plan on replacing it with a porta-potti. Towards the front of the wooden platform where the previous head was located is the outlet and valve for the water tank. This reduces the available fore and aft measurement to 13 inches which is inadequate to accomodate the smallest potti. I am wondering how others have dealt with this and have been able to place the potti here.
Thanks,
Marcelo

[mbd]

Hi Marcelo,

Commander #65 has the same porta potty that I've got - original perhaps?  No idea. I have no outlet or valve for the water tank either, so the porta potti fit real nicely in there.

From Lucky Dog's thread:
http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showpost.php?p=15395&postcount=21
http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showpost.php?p=15377&postcount=17

[vanguard64]

Mike,
Thanks for obtaining those pics. I wonder how most of the water tanks are plumbed since yours does not have the same arrangement as I have in mine. I will try to find a thread about this.
 
Marcelo
Ad Astra #407