Nauta fuel bladder for "holding tank"?

jaschrumpf · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

I haven't had the need to use the head on my Newport 28 yet, but I was looking over the setup and stuck my camera down in there to get a picture of the bladder, and apparently it's a fuel bladder. Does this make much of a difference? Ever since I tested the head by pumping some plain water through it I've noticed a musty smell back that way, though nothing is leaking. I figure I rehydrated whatever had been sitting in there (the PO had never used it either in two years, he said) and fired up the bacteria. It's not horrible, though.

The lines look pretty old, and for the life of me I can't find a vent hose connected to the bladder. It's hooked up with a line from the head to the bladder, and line from the bladder to a Y-valve. The lines from the Y-valve go to a pump-out fitting and to the through-hull, which does have the anti-siphon valve on it. However, it looks like the vent line is attached to the anti-siphon valve, and the Y-valve was left open to the through-hull, though the hand pump was left in in the closed position.

This looks like a pretty horrible environmental violation, so I switched the Y-valve back to the pump-out side. I don't know what to do about venting the bladder properly, which is one question I have.

My other question is that the pump-out fitting is right under the cushions in the v-berth. There is no external connection. Doesn't this seem a bit yucky to have the pump-out line go right into one's bedroom to get rid of the nasty stuff?

My final other question is how does the pumping-out work? Does a line snug up to the pump-out fitting under the cushions and just suction out the stuff?

Sorry for all the questions in one post, but spring is on the way and I want to get those systems ready for the sailing system. Last year was the engine and electrical, this year the plumbing.

Thanks for all your help!

xort · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

Your pumpout fitting does not go up on deck like a fuel fill fitting or water tank fill?

The bladder MUST have a vent line to work. The vent line lets air out as stuff goes in. It lets the smelly air out. And it lets air in when the stuff is pumped out. Can't function without one.

jaschrumpf · #3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

No, it's right under the cushions. The freshwater tank fill is forward in the anchor well, as are the two vent lines, but the holding tank pump-out is in the v-berth. Methinks some replumbing has occurred in the past. I'll have to take more pics next time I'm over, but here's one I got of the y-valve. The yellow line on the bottom is from the bladder. The green line on the left goes to the pump-out fitting, and the one of the right goes to the through-hull via the hand pump and anti-siphon valve. None of those lines look like sanitary hose to me -- I thought that stuff was smooth.

I had assumed that during the pump-out the bladder just collapsed, or else the line from the head allowed air to flow in.

Guess not, eh?

I think the anti-siphon valve, with the y-valve open to it, was supposed to provide the venting for the bladder, since that's where the vent line appears to be connecting -- but that seems a very poor and probably illegal way of doing it.

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

I would highly recommend ditching that for a solid holding tank. First, the tank's contents are going to stink, since there is no vent. Second, if it springs a leak, you'll really be wishing you had switched it out for a solid holding tank. Third, I can't see how the fuel bladder isn't going to eventually permeate and stink like all hades. Fourth, you really want a deck-mounted pumpout fitting.

jaschrumpf · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I would highly recommend ditching that for a solid holding tank. First, the tank's contents are going to stink, since there is no vent. Second, if it springs a leak, you'll really be wishing you had switched it out for a solid holding tank. Third, I can't see how the fuel bladder isn't going to eventually permeate and stink like all hades. Fourth, you really want a deck-mounted pumpout fitting.

All good advice. However, I just don't see a place for a solid holding tank. The freshwater tank takes up most of the room, and the bladder is just fitted in the leftover space.

I will see about moving that fitting, though. There's got to be a way.

BermudaHorst · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

The previous owner had the same setup on - now my - Westerly and I can tell you it certainly did start to smell. I think this is because the bladder couldn't be entirely emptied or fully flushed out and it did eventually permeate the material I removed it and replaced all the old sanitation hose too. No more stink.

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 02-22-2009

Raritan makes a small, 5 gallon or so, holding tank that fits around the base of the head. Might be worth looking at.