26M Head

[Teejay]

My winter project is installing a proper head & holding tank in our . As we mostly sail in inland lakes that may not have pump out facilites, I will be pumping the holding tank out into an RV sani station on the way home. A macerator pump connected to the tank and to a 3/4" discharge hose would be ample to drain the tank, but I would like to be able to connect a drain hose on the outside of the hull. A 3/4" thru-hull with internal threads on the outside would be ideal, but so far, I can only find thru-hull fittings that are not threaded for a plug. Does anyone build such a thing, or does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks!

[James V]

Why not just run the hose from the inside of the boat? That way the through hull nevers gets clogged.

[Teejay]

Thought about that, but I'd hate to have to clean the interior of the boat if the hose "dribbled" . If the thru-hull got clogged, a piece of wire would clear it with a minimun of mess, and it would be outside.

[tek]

I realize this is an old thread, but did you ever get around to doing this mod?

I'm considering installing a marine head in my , but still haven't decided on the details for the holding tank. What size tank did you install? Did you install it under the V-berth, forward dinette seat, or somewhere else?

I'm planning to spend some time in the Great Lakes, and my understanding is nothing without a pump-out is legal there if planning to visit the Canadian side.

A port-a-potti sans pump-out won't be legal in Canada, and Nature's head is off the list due to areas to the south I intend to sail. The only 'legal' option in all locations involves a holding tank of some sort with a pump-out.

I could fit a pump-out to the porta-potti and be legal (most places), but if I'm going to add plumbing anyway, I'd prefer to go with a holding tank.

I've also noticed the new Tattoo website has the marine head/ holding tank as an option, maybe it would make more sense to contact them to retrofit the same parts they use on the new boats to the . I'd still want to know where they are mounting the tank and what the capacity is.

Anyone that's done this type of install before, feel free to chime in with some advice.

[March]

Why do you think that Nature's Head is not going to work in areas to the South?

[tek]

The Nature's head brochure has some legalese in their fine print that mentioned it isn't to be used in those countries where not legal. Wouldn't want to be dinged while in the Caribbean, keeping options open. It is also my personal preference to install a more traditional head. I've seen issues in Pacific Island areas ( wasn't there on a Mac) , in which local authorities didn't seem to know about options other than tank with pump-out, and as a result considered all other options illegal. (Probably something pushed by the local marinas to get people to pay for pump-outs) The flip side of that is some countries allow direct discharge without the 3 mile limit requirement, but that goes against my personal beliefs.

With all that out of the way, there are plenty of threads on this board about the Nature's head and I'd prefer not to make this yet another one as I have already decided against that option.

I am asking for any advice regarding the installation of a holding tank, especially if anyone here has had personal experience with it.

[March]

Fair enough.
Wonder how many people here have the system you're interested in though. Installing a holding tank on a Mac is certainly doable, but since not many people here aim for the Pacific Islands, this wouldn't be an issue.
In the Bahamas, compost toilets were still legal, as far as I know. What other parts of the Carribeans were you referring to? Never seen the small print to a compost toilet, but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough

[tek]

My job moves me to various parts of the world, so when household goods are shipped, I could end up anywhere and need to stay as universal as possible. That was one of the advantages to a Mac, fits in a shipping container when appropriate.

I have taken note that the new Tattoo 26 is available with a marine head and pump-out as an option according to the website, I'm curious as to what type of setup they use for that from the factory. I might wait it out and retro-fit Tattoo parts as my Mac dealer has told me the new parts are all backwards compatible to the .

[rfrye94760]

This was one of the first mods I made to my M.
I installed the freshwater tank under the V berth and the holding tank under the forward dinette seat.

[tek]

My original thought was I should put the holding tank under the v-berth, and later freshwater under the dinette. Seems it would make for shorter runs for hoses. The sticking point that has me thinking the holding tank should go on the dinette side is the desire to use a solid tank. I've also considered the freshwater bladder under the after berth that some people on the board have done. My current project being planned out is installing the head, if I go with freshwater flush, I'd have to do both at the same time. My only negative for freshwater flushing is the amount of extra water capacity needed for it to function vs simply pulling raw water from a thru-hull.

Were you able to hide most of the hoses with the tanks in under the v-berth and dinette? Where did you route the hose for the deck pump-out?

[rfrye94760]

tek,
I used solid tanks for both, 10 gal. if I remember correctly.
My impression, when I was laying things out, was that the tank under the dinette seat sat a little lower in the boat. I figured that's where I would want the waste to be in case of a leaking hose or fitting. If a hose or fitting leaked on the fresh water side, it would just be wet, not nasty and wet but maybe I over thought it and it wouldn't make any difference.
The supply and waste lines enter the head up through that little shelf on the floor (which is where my toilet is bolted down) and connect at the base of the unit, so I only see a few inches of each. I routed 1/2" diameter tubing (for vents) from both tanks, up through the head, anchored to the wall in the corner
(these are visible) and out the starboard side just below the rub rail. My deck pump out hose is routed in the same manner and the fitting is located on deck just below the bottom corner of the head skylight. Hope this helps.

[tek]

rfrye94760, were you able to use a standard rectangular tank or did you hunt down something of a different shape? It seems best use of space in the V-berth area would require some sort of trapezoid shaped tank. I'm definitely wanting to use something of a heavy plastic for the holding tank.

[rfrye94760]

Standard rectangular tank for both. The one in the V wanted to slide around a bit so I epoxied some short lengths of 2x4 to make a bit of a tray for it. If you want to, PM me your email address and when I get a chance I'll send you some pictures.
Bob

[Catigale]

I put a 3/4 inch pump out on my macerater above the water line, and at home thread a standard hose connection of brass into the plastic fitting, cutting its own threads. No leaks, and then I macerate directly into the sanitary sewer at home via a dedicated hose. Very nice system. I push about 5 gallons of water through the system to clean for winter

[tek]

Catigale, I like your setup as it would allow for pumping out at home or at an RV dump station as an option, but how does that system work when you're on the water for an extended period? Did you plumb it in a way that will still allow you to use a pump out at a marina?

Do you have pictures of that setup in the mod section somewhere?