[C320-list] Head odors

[Jeff Hecht via C320-list]

Hey guys I have hull 17. I have been having an issue where when I have been out on the water the head starts to stink. When I got to my boat yesterday there was little to no odor, but after a race, with great winds and some heeling, the odor was significant. Any suggestions?


Regards,

Jeff Hecht
973-563-5260

[Laura Gwinn via C320-list]

A friend of mine recently suggested using about a tsp of Oxyclean once a
week. Followed by a good flush if wster. Let it sit in hose for a short
time then re-flush. It has helped with odor.

Sent from Gmail Mobile

[Steve Weinstein via C320-list]

Sounds like you have a leak either in one of the hoses or the holding tank itself.  Open up the hatches above the holding tank and look around to see if you are leaking somewhere under there.  Use some white paper towels (wearing gloves, of course) and wipe down the hoses and the tank and see if anything shows up.  Check the hose clamps to make sure they are snug.  If the hoses have not been changed in a long time, they may well be the culprit.  Also, check the vent for the holding tank.  It's a favorite place for bugs, especially spiders, to take up residence and can block the vent.  Gases can build up in the tank and when you start sailing they can escape into the interior rather than venting out if it's clogged.  Some holding tanks have an inspection plate on the top.  That can be a problem as well.

If the hoses are clean and the tank is not leaking, consider flushing the tank out with fresh water a couple of times, and then using a tank deodorant in there.  Once you have the tank clean, consider using fresh water to flush the tank rather than sea water.   Use the nozzle in the head sink to put water in the bowl for flushing rather than pumping in raw water.  It makes a big difference in the amount of smell.  Just make sure you've flushed the tank out really well before making the changeover.
Hope that helps,Steve Weinstein2000 C320 # 722, Vega

[Steve Weinstein via C320-list]

Oh, one other thing -- if the smell is coming from the head compartment itself, you may have a worn out or clogged joker valve in the Jabsco pump mechanism or a leaky seal in there somewhere.  Check to see if anything is back-flushing into the head unit.  Changing the joker valve is easy, it's just a bit of a messy, stinky job.  If the pump mechanism is old, it might be easier to change the whole thing rather than doing a rebuild.  On a prior boat, I actually got a whole new toilet bowl and pump unit for less money than buying the various repair kits.
Just a thought.
Steve Weinstein,2000 C320 #722, Vega

[Ferris Wills via C320-list]

Hi,

When I bought Argo (505), she had a mild but persistent head odor. After many flushing pump outs and bio treatments, I replaced the toilet and its hoses, but the odors persisted. Frustrated, I then replaced all related holding tank hoses and the macerator. I also removed the tank and power washed it.

Not a pleasant job, but it completely eliminated the odor. I found that the macerator, tank inflow, outflow and vent hoses were original and all had a deeply embedded foul smell. No amount of cleaning, flushing, or treatment was going to fix it!

Hope this helps,
Ferris

Typos by iPhone

> On May 30, 2024, at 10:37 AM, Steve Weinstein via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  Oh, one other thing -- if the smell is coming from the head compartment itself, you may have a worn out or clogged joker valve in the Jabsco pump mechanism or a leaky seal in there somewhere. Check to see if anything is back-flushing into the head unit. Changing the joker valve is easy, it's just a bit of a messy, stinky job. If the pump mechanism is old, it might be easier to change the whole thing rather than doing a rebuild. On a prior boat, I actually got a whole new toilet bowl and pump unit for less money than buying the various repair kits.

[Charles Holbrook via C320-list]

Jeff
I had the same problem with my 95' Catalina 320 nine years ago.  I removed the shelf storage above the commode in the head and put an in-line carbon filter on the vent line for the holding tank.  Problem solved for the past nine years and the filter fit nicely behind the storage shelf..
Charlie Holbrook

[ART HARDEN via C320-list]

Charlie. Can you give us some more info on the filter?

Sent from my iPhone
Art Harden
Catalina 320 "Tortuga" E-62
937.885.9380 (o)
937.477.5544 (m)

> On May 30, 2024, at 3:57 PM, Charles Holbrook via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  Jeff

[Jeff Hare via C320-list]

Hi Jeff,Hull 17 is a ways back but I think this still applies.1.  The vent line is larger diameter than the vent thruhull.  So the factory used a smaller hose on the fitting and then the larger hose over that.  This joint leaks gases when the head is pumped or sloshing causes vent air to move. Sometimes the vent gets blocked slightly and causes back pressure which makes that hose joint leak worse.2. The small vent is slightly inadequate for the intended purpose. It's really a fuel tank vent. The solution is to eliminate that hose joint.  To do this, replace the small vent with a slightly larger clamshell thruhull vent. The vent hose will fit directly now and creates no back pressure either.We had bad head smells in our boat even after swapping the factory rubber hoses with quality white ones.  When we fixed this thruhull vent tie-in problem and added a properly sized vent the issue vanished immediately.  No more smells in the head or aft cabin closet.It's important to wipe down the exterior of the holding tank and all the hoses with something like Clorox wipes from time to time to keep the smells to a min. There is a series of pics on this thruhull change on the c320.org website that I posted years ago.Also search the discussing list archives for head smells discussions.Jeff Hare
-------- Original message --------From: Jeff Hecht via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> Date: 5/30/24 12:45 PM (GMT-05:00) To: c320...@lists.catalina320.com Cc: Jeff Hecht <jeffa...@me.com> Subject: [C320-list] Head odors Hey guys I have hull 17. I have been having an issue where when I have been out on the water the head starts to stink. When I got to my boat yesterday there was little to no odor, but after a race, with great winds and some heeling, the odor was significant. Any suggestions?Regards,Jeff Hecht973-563-5260

[Charles Holbrook via C320-list]

Art:
I went down to my boat today and looked at the holding tank filter. If you Google search "SaniGuard holding tank vent filter" a whole bunch of filter options pop-up from Amazon, Ace Hardware, eBay, West Marine and other places ranging in price from around $20.00 to more than $100.00. The filter carried by Amazon called YatchZmarine runs $42.99 and looks just like the one I installed. behind the cabinet above the commode.  The filter is about 15" long and about 2" diameter. You should not need mounting brackets or any additional hardware.  The filter just screwed into the vent line with garden hose type connections. I don't think Walmart carries the SaniGuard filter any longer but when I found mine it was only around $30.00 nine years ago.  The carbon filter did solve the outside odor problem I was experiencing when on a starboard tack. 
Hope this helps.
Charlie HolbrookCat 320 "Nautigirl"

 .    

On Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 02:21:48 PM EDT, Ferris Wills via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

Hi,

When I bought  Argo (505), she had a mild but persistent head odor. After many flushing pump outs and bio treatments, I replaced the toilet and its hoses, but the odors persisted. Frustrated, I then replaced all related holding tank hoses and the macerator. I also removed the tank and power washed it.

Not a pleasant job, but it completely eliminated the odor. I found that the macerator, tank  inflow, outflow and vent hoses were original and  all had a deeply embedded foul smell. No amount of cleaning, flushing, or treatment was going to fix it!

Hope this helps,
Ferris

Typos by iPhone

> On May 30, 2024, at 10:37 AM, Steve Weinstein via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>  Oh, one other thing -- if the smell is coming from the head compartment itself, you may have a worn out or clogged joker valve in the Jabsco pump mechanism or a leaky seal in there somewhere.  Check to see if anything is back-flushing into the head unit.  Changing the joker valve is easy, it's just a bit of a messy, stinky job.  If the pump mechanism is old, it might be easier to change the whole thing rather than doing a rebuild.  On a prior boat, I actually got a whole new toilet bowl and pump unit for less money than buying the various repair kits.
> Just a thought.
> Steve Weinstein,2000 C320 #722, Vega
>
>    On Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 01:25:57 PM EDT, Steve Weinstein via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: 
>
>  Sounds like you have a leak either in one of the hoses or the holding tank itself.  Open up the hatches above the holding tank and look around to see if you are leaking somewhere under there.  Use some white paper towels (wearing gloves, of course) and wipe down the hoses and the tank and see if anything shows up.  Check the hose clamps to make sure they are snug.  If the hoses have not been changed in a long time, they may well be the culprit.  Also, check the vent for the holding tank.  It's a favorite place for bugs, especially spiders, to take up residence and can block the vent.  Gases can build up in the tank and when you start sailing they can escape into the interior rather than venting out if it's clogged.  Some holding tanks have an inspection plate on the top.  That can be a problem as well.
>
> If the hoses are clean and the tank is not leaking, consider flushing the tank out with fresh water a couple of times, and then using a tank deodorant in there.  Once you have the tank clean, consider using fresh water to flush the tank rather than sea water.  Use the nozzle in the head sink to put water in the bowl for flushing rather than pumping in raw water.  It makes a big difference in the amount of smell.  Just make sure you've flushed the tank out really well before making the changeover.
> Hope that helps,Steve Weinstein2000 C320 # 722, Vega
>
>    On Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 12:54:01 PM EDT, Laura Gwinn via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> A friend of mine recently suggested using about a tsp of Oxyclean once a
> week.  Followed by a good flush if wster.  Let it sit in hose for a short
> time then re-flush.  It has helped with odor.
>
> Sent from Gmail Mobile
>
>

>> On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 12:45 Jeff Hecht via C320-list <
>> c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hey guys I have hull 17. I have been having an issue where when I have
>> been out on the water the head starts to stink. When I got to my boat
>> yesterday there was little to no odor, but after a race, with great winds

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

Charlie-
Did you just splice this carbon filter in line on the vent hose?
Dave Hupe
1994  C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

On Fri, May 31, 2024 at 5:32 PM, Charles Holbrook via C320-list<c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote: Art:
I went down to my boat today and looked at the holding tank filter. If you Google search "SaniGuard holding tank vent filter" a whole bunch of filter options pop-up from Amazon, Ace Hardware, eBay, West Marine and other places ranging in price from around $20.00 to more than $100.00. The filter carried by Amazon called YatchZmarine runs $42.99 and looks just like the one I installed. behind the cabinet above the commode.  The filter is about 15" long and about 2" diameter. You should not need mounting brackets or any additional hardware.  The filter just screwed into the vent line with garden hose type connections. I don't think Walmart carries the SaniGuard filter any longer but when I found mine it was only around $30.00 nine years ago.  The carbon filter did solve the outside odor problem I was experiencing when on a starboard tack. 
Hope this helps.
Charlie HolbrookCat 320 "Nautigirl"

 .   >> On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 12:45 Jeff Hecht via C320-list <

[Charles Holbrook via C320-list]

Dave
I did not need to splice into the vent line.  There was already a garden hose type fitting with an in line connection between the two lines.  My guess is the  previous owner spliced the fitting in line before me and must have taken a filter out and neglected to replace it.

[Jeff Hecht via C320-list]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I have flushed the tank; the joker valve seems good. The odor (smells like vomit) seems to be coming from the bilge area. I have the shallow bilge (1993). I took some standing water out of the shower drain area ( I need a new sump there). I also took a bunch of foul water from the area between the bilge pump (in front of the head door) and the engine compartment. This area is under the floorboards, and I simply put a hose into the hole at the stern end of the bilge pump area . I have no idea where that is coming from.

I guess I need to bite the bullet and start replacing hoses and maybe the holding tank.


Regards,

Jeff Hecht
973-563-5260
On May 31, 2024 at 6:23 AM -0400, c320...@lists.catalina320.com, wrote:
>
> Head odors

[Bob Borelli via C320-list]

Another suggestion for pumping out water from the bilge, two locations.

1.
starboard side, remove cushoin & panel, I stick the suction hose from a hand pump down in front of the holding tank, thru an opening towards the keel & hand pump water into the galley sink.
2.
port side, remove galley cabinets & hand pump water from the bilge, turn the suction hose towards the keel. I cut a hole in the bottom of the cabinet underneath the lower drawer so I can just remove the drawer & insert suction hose.

Regards the holding tank hoses, wrap a warm wet rag around the hose, let it dry. Take it off, smell odor then replace hoses. Not a difficult job.
New hoses & no longer odor on my boat.
Plus an occasional StarBrite bilge cleaner left to slosh around in the lower bilge helps a great deal.
My tank has an opening, with a gloved hand I've dried it & wiped in down.
I only use fresh water for flushing.
Other thoughts are to use a long thin brush to push thru the inaccessible openings in the bilge to clean.
Fill the bilge with water & cleaner.
Remove the wood sole panels for access to clean.

Bob Borelli 1995 C320 no. 209

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Jeff Hecht via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, June 3, 2024 8:15 AM
To: c320...@lists.catalina320.com <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Cc: Jeff Hecht <jeffa...@me.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Head odors

[Steve Weinstein via C320-list]

Jeff, take a look at the macerator pump.  It may be leaking.  I had this problem on an old Catalina 270 that I owned before Vega.  Shallow bilge, bad odor.  Changed all the hoses, flushed the tank, etc., still had a problem.  On closer inspection, I saw a small leak coming from the macerator pump.  Rather than doing a rebuild, I bought a new pump, changed it out with new hose and clamps.  No more leak, no more smell.  Just a suggestion.
Steve Weinstein,
2000 C320 #722, Vega

[Arthurpiotrowski via C320-list]

FYI, Practical Sailor did some testing for us …