[C320-list] Misc Questions

[Scott Thompson]

Don't do that.  Ordinary use of a pump out pulls LOTS of outside air 
through the vent -- enough to clear any substantial blockage.  That's 
one of two reasons why you have a vent.  If it didn't do this, the 
holding tank (a) would not pump out properly, and (b) the high suction 
from the dockside pump would implode your holding tank when you tried to 
pump it out.  This has actually happened to people whose vents got 
plugged, resulting in cracked holding tanks.  Needless to say the 
resulting destruction and mess down below when stuff starts leaking out 
through the cracks is not something you want to deal with.  If you 
simply must try this bad idea (which is more likely to cause a clogged 
vent than clear one in my opinion) be sure to open the pump out cap 
first so you have an alternative air source into the tank.

According to the books, if a tank stinks through the vent when you 
flush, the cause is insufficient air circulation through the holding 
tank leading to a surplus of anaerobic bacteria, which are the ones that 
produce smelly gases.  The solution is a bigger vent and vent hose, 
and/or a second vent, and/or a vent positioned in a better place to 
force more air in and through the tank.  Well ventilated holding tanks 
compost their contents naturally without creating much of a bad smell. 
(That's the second reason why you have a vent, by the way.  Without a 
vent it would stink even more.)  The vent hoses installed on 320s are 
much smaller than the experts recommend.


jbrown5093 at aol.com wrote:
> Could you clear the holding tank by putting the pump out suction tube 
> over the vent (making sure it was screwed down tight fires!) with an 
> empty tank. That should suck air through. Thought I'd ask before I tried 
> it. Jim Brown    Desafinado
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jonvez at comcast.net
> To: c320-list at catalina320.com
> Sent: Tue, 8 Aug 2006 6:21 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Misc Questions
> 
>   Hi Joe,
> 
> It sounds like you had a full holding tank at some point and the 
> effluent went
> into the vent and remains, which is most likely the problem. I don't 
> know the
> best way to clear the vent, but I'm sure others have a suggestion. You 
> may also
> want to check the vent screen itself and see if you have critters 
> blocking the
> screen.
> As the earlier thread suggests, there are many ways to use fresh water 
> to pump,
> and it certainly eliminates odors. You can also try Odorloss, which eats 
> the
> bacteria (not sure if KO does the same). If interested in plumbing the 
> head with
> fresh water, see the description that Dick Walker has posted--takes 
> about 15
> minutes to complete--
> I have a '99 (582) and have not had the rust stain problem you mention. 
> I do
> keep my boat at a slip and wash it down with fresh water after every 
> sail. Not
> sure if you are on a mooring or not, but this may be a factor.
> My reefing block 'corrects' itself when putting any kind of tension on the
> reefing line so I'm wondering if something like mclube in the turning 
> joint may
> help?
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Jon Vez
> 
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: Joseph A Tamucci <jtamucci at adelphia.net>
> 
>> I continue to monitor and respond (as appropriate) to issues on our 
> great
>> 320 web site. I have a couple of questions that I would appreciate 
> hearing
>> back on.
>>
>> 1. I also have the "stinky head" problem and have been closely 
> following
>> the thread on this. I used the chemical stuff in the past and have 
> now
>> switched to KO but the smell persists. I intend on pursuing the fresh
>> water option during the off season. The smell though is not in the 
> head
>> compartment but outside the boat from the vent when the head is 
> flushed.
>> Very embarrassing when we are rafted on my starboard side.
>>
>> I assume it's the vent problem that is being discussed???
>>
>> 2. I continue to have light brown rust stains coming from under the
>> stanchions and one long light brown stain (quarter inch wide) running 
> all
>> the way down the bow from the bottom of the head stay brace to the
>> waterline. The outside of the brace and bolts are not showing rust; 
> it's
>> coming from behind the brace.
>>
>> I know how to get the stains off but is this a common occurrence that 
> the
>> 320 has??? Andante is a 1999 #619. Should I be concerned that the
>> bolts/brace may be rusting from underneath or is this superficial 
> rust that
>> will not need immediate attention. I know Catalina doesn't use the 
> highest
>> quality stainless.
>>
>> 3. Finally, my jiffy reefing block attached to the boom vang tends to
>> turn on its pivot during the normal course of sailing as the boom 
> moves
>> back and forth resulting in the jiffy reefing line getting twisted. 
> After
>> every sail I need to go forward and turn the block around its pivot 
> point
>> to untwist the line.
>>
>> Again, is this a common occurrence others have and has anyone come up 
> with
>> a way to keep the block from turning??
>>
>>
>> Thanks in advance for those that can respond.
>>
>>
>>
>> Joe Tamucci, Andante, #619
>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
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