Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

[Hat43c1981]

Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

I am trying to locate where the vent pipe from the holding tank exits through the hull of the boat. Typically, what do the vent covers look like on Hatts (this is my first Hatt). Would it be located just above the water line where the gray water discharges are? Thanks for your help!

 

[metama]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Not sure about the 43, but they are typically tube vents with wire half domes. Not covered like a modern vent.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

On my 79 43C it is on the port side. It is located behind the closet wall in the Vberth closet. If you are looking from the outside, look for it at the waterline about 4' aft of the Vberth port side porthole. Mine is just a brass mushroom vent. No cover.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

On my 79 43C it is on the port side. It is located behind the closet wall in the Vberth closet. If you are looking from the outside, look for it at the waterline about 4' aft of the Vberth port side porthole. Mine is just a brass mushroom vent. No cover.

Thanks for the information. All of mine have the 3 sided covers over them just above the waterline. I think I might have a clogged vent pipe so I am trying to determine with one it is without sticking my nose down there when the toilet(s) are flushed!

 

[madhatter1]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Why do you think it is clogged? Not pumping out?

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

On my 79 43C it is on the port side. It is located behind the closet wall in the Vberth closet. If you are looking from the outside, look for it at the waterline about 4' aft of the Vberth port side porthole. Mine is just a brass mushroom vent. No cover.

Correct. Trouble pumping out the holding tank. Starting with the vent pipe before I check the pick up tube in the holding tank.

 

[madhatter1]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Has it been sitting for years? Not the whole boat, has the holding tank not been used or pumped out in a long time? If so while vent line could be plugged with wasp nest or something like that first get holding tank treatment (not the flowery orange kind, the good stuff with formalgyhyde), dump it down the pump out fitting, wash down with an extra 10-20 gallons of water and go for a ride. Let it sit for a week. Then pump out. A guy in my neighborhood with a 48 he bought had this exact problem. Fixed it. This is how I got my tank to pump out.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

At that age, its probably the pickup tube. Not as bad a job as you might fear. I found that a simple pvc flared kitchen sink drain pipe slid right down inside the hole. It's been a while, but it may have actually fit inside the old broken off pickup tube. I measured, cut it to length, notched the bottom end and slid it in. Added a little plumbers putty and screwed the fitting back on. It's been fine for over 15 years now.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Be sure to seal under the flare when you slide it in.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Has it been sitting for years? Not the whole boat, has the holding tank not been used or pumped out in a long time? If so while vent line could be plugged with wasp nest or something like that first get holding tank treatment (not the flowery orange kind, the good stuff with formalgyhyde), dump it down the pump out fitting, wash down with an extra 10-20 gallons of water and go for a ride. Let it sit for a week. Then pump out. A guy in my neighborhood with a 48 he bought had this exact problem. Fixed it. This is how I got my tank to pump out.

Thanks for the tip! We purchased in May of 2020. The pump out has been an issue since we purchased it. I thought it was the pumpout at our marine not having enough suction. I am thinking it might be a few things causing the issues. A long plumbing run for the marina pump out and a possible clogged in the tank. Our Hatt sat in heated storage for about 20 months prior to when we took ownership.

Do you know the name of the tank cleaner you are referring to? The strong stuff. I typically just use the smell good tablets.

Thanks!

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

At that age, its probably the pickup tube. Not as bad a job as you might fear. I found that a simple pvc flared kitchen sink drain pipe slid right down inside the hole. It's been a while, but it may have actually fit inside the old broken off pickup tube. I measured, cut it to length, notched the bottom end and slid it in. Added a little plumbers putty and screwed the fitting back on. It's been fine for over 15 years now.

I believe in our 43'C, the access for the black water tank is in the master stateroom floor. I have not laid eyes on this yet. With that said, what does the set up look like where the pipe comes into the top of the tank? Is the there a thread fitting where the old pick up tube attaches to the pipe that goes to the pump out?

Does anyone have pictures of the set up? Before and after the fix?

Thanks!

 

[madhatter1]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Thanks for the tip! We purchased in May of 2020. The pump out has been an issue since we purchased it. I thought it was the pumpout at our marine not having enough suction. I am thinking it might be a few things causing the issues. A long plumbing run for the marina pump out and a possible clogged in the tank. Our Hatt sat in heated storage for about 20 months prior to when we took ownership.

Do you know the name of the tank cleaner you are referring to? The strong stuff. I typically just use the smell good tablets.

Thanks!

Campa_Chem. Order online as I no longer see the good stuff on the shelves anymore. Been using this for years in my RV. Try this before you tear up anything in the boat like I did. Mine would pull some out and then slow down like a blocked vent but it was (for lack of better terminology) crap in the tank blocking the pickup. Easy to try and if you have to dig deeper the tank contents are somewhat neutralized by the Campa-Chem.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Campa_Chem. Order online as I no longer see the good stuff on the shelves anymore. Been using this for years in my RV. Try this before you tear up anything in the boat like I did. Mine would pull some out and then slow down like a blocked vent but it was (for lack of better terminology) crap in the tank blocking the pickup. Easy to try and if you have to dig deeper the tank contents are somewhat neutralized by the Campa-Chem.

Thanks! I will try this. The symptoms you described are exactly what I am experiencing. I appreciate the help.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

I believe in our 43'C, the access for the black water tank is in the master stateroom floor. I have not laid eyes on this yet. With that said, what does the set up look like where the pipe comes into the top of the tank? Is the there a thread fitting where the old pick up tube attaches to the pipe that goes to the pump out?

Does anyone have pictures of the set up? Before and after the fix?

Thanks!

It's been a while. I recall removing a 90* elbow from above the pump out tube. It was in the master suite. I have the full berth on the stbd side, not the twin berths. Access was thru the floor. I can't remember the exact layout, but I recall it being simple. Unscrew the 90* fitting at the top of the tank. I think I used a wire coat hanger with a hook bent in an end to see how far down the pumpout pipe extended. It wasn't far. Again, its been quite a while, but I recall sliding a 1.25 sink drain fitting with a flared end, down into the original tube. I think the original was 1.5" and that the sink drain fit nicely into it. IIRC, I cut 2 45 degree angles into the bottom, so that it had a point at the bottom to avoid getting anything pressed against the bottom.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

It's been a while. I recall removing a 90* elbow from above the pump out tube. It was in the master suite. I have the full berth on the stbd side, not the twin berths. Access was thru the floor. I can't remember the exact layout, but I recall it being simple. Unscrew the 90* fitting at the top of the tank. I think I used a wire coat hanger with a hook bent in an end to see how far down the pumpout pipe extended. It wasn't far. Again, its been quite a while, but I recall sliding a 1.25 sink drain fitting with a flared end, down into the original tube. I think the original was 1.5" and that the sink drain fit nicely into it. IIRC, I cut 2 45 degree angles into the bottom, so that it had a point at the bottom to avoid getting anything pressed against the bottom.

Bob, thanks for detailed information!

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

It's been a while. I recall removing a 90* elbow from above the pump out tube. It was in the master suite. I have the full berth on the stbd side, not the twin berths. Access was thru the floor. I can't remember the exact layout, but I recall it being simple. Unscrew the 90* fitting at the top of the tank. I think I used a wire coat hanger with a hook bent in an end to see how far down the pumpout pipe extended. It wasn't far. Again, its been quite a while, but I recall sliding a 1.25 sink drain fitting with a flared end, down into the original tube. I think the original was 1.5" and that the sink drain fit nicely into it. IIRC, I cut 2 45 degree angles into the bottom, so that it had a point at the bottom to avoid getting anything pressed against the bottom.

Bob, our 43'C has the same layout with the full berth to starboard. I was really hoping the bilge access for the black water tank was not under the berth. I believe it is in the floor next to it. Is that how you remember it?

Thanks!

Jordan

 

[madhatter1]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Ours is under the bed but once you remove access panels up top there are more on the floor of the storage area. Take a look. Out boats a similar age and type. Seems like with some effort I have access to everything.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Ours is under the bed but once you remove access panels up top there are more on the floor of the storage area. Take a look. Out boats a similar age and type. Seems like with some effort I have access to everything.

Thanks for the information. I will look under the berth and start there.

 

[Bob Bradley]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Bob, our 43'C has the same layout with the full berth to starboard. I was really hoping the bilge access for the black water tank was not under the berth. I believe it is in the floor next to it. Is that how you remember it?

Thanks!

Jordan

Yes. Definitely in the floor. Not under the berth. There's a hatch cut into the plywood right over it. You'll have to pick up your carpet, or whatever floor covering you have there, to access it. On mine under the berth (remove the drawers to access the hatch) are the levers to change between flushing directly overboard and flushing into the holding tank. Also the raw water inlet thru hull for the head's water supply.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Re: Holding tank vent outlet location 43’C

Yes. Definitely in the floor. Not under the berth. There's a hatch cut into the plywood right over it. You'll have to pick up your carpet, or whatever floor covering you have there, to access it. On mine under the berth (remove the drawers to access the hatch) are the levers to change between flushing directly overboard and flushing into the holding tank. Also the raw water inlet thru hull for the head's water supply.

Thanks for the info!!