Forward Waste Tank

It appears that since my last pump out that my forward waste tank in my 40' Marine Trader has started a slow leak into the bilge.
What valuable information can anyone impart about replacement.*
There is a hatch in the V berth that I can see the tank and appears that it could be removed. It looks like a fairly small tank.


Has anyone had any experience with this?

Pappy Chris

m/y Moonshine

Aransas Pass TX

Pappy,

I have a 34 ft MT that I am am refurbishing now.* Floor is open*and the holding tank is exposed.* In mine, it is a fiberglass molded tank under the steps leading to the fwd cabin.*All the plumbing to/from the tank comes out in my engine*room*bilge.* *I suspect that you could remove*your floor above it,*cut open the top of the tank , clean it out (awful job), repair the leak and reglass the open area and be good to go.* It doesn't look like an easy tank to take out because it was probably made in place.* Looks pretty thick walled to me.* You can stand on it without flexing it.

I will be working in the boat this weekend, converting the fwd head into a shower.* I*could take a closer look at it.** If you want, I will take a picture giving you a better idea of how it is constructed.

Bob

Bob-- I have a floor hatch in that forward cabin that I can look in at mine.

I tapped on mine and it sounded metal to me although it does look like it's glassed. I found some polypropolene tanks for about $100 on google shopping. Mine has a 30 gallon aft poly tank that serves the rear head and is Y'd to the front. I hope to replace the front tank with a 10 to 20 gallon poly tank. *I'm a great fan of plastic for tankage. *In the interim I have to isolate the rear from the front without dumping it into the bilge. I will try to get it pumped before I try that fiasco.

Pappy Chris

We had a front tank,* took out and plumbed the front head to the main holding tank which is about 40 ft away.* This also brought the bow water line up and/or allowed for more weight in the bow.* So might want to just leave*the tank*and run a hose to the main tank.*

I may just do that for a temp fix. *I was down sizing it up this evening and it would be very easy. My main tank is only 20' away.

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Thx

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Phil Fill wrote:

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We had a front tank,* took out and plumbed the front head to the main holding tank which is about 40 ft away.* This also brought the bow water line up and/or allowed for more weight in the bow.* So might want to just leave*the tank*and run a hose to the main tank.*

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*

The tank is tucked forward. It doesn't look like it will be to bad to remove it.*

Pappy Chris wrote:
The tank is tucked forward. It doesn't look like it will be to bad to remove it.*

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*That my friend is going to be a nasty job.* Empty it, then flush with clean water several times and when you think you have it do one more flush*and I'm still betting on it being nasty.

It will be coming out of there. *Being replaced with a roto molded plastic tank. I just have to figure out how large will fit through the opening without tearing up the forward cabin. Worst case I can relocate the water heater and set it in that place. Need a new water heater anyhow.

*

Cheers--Pappy Chris