Gravity drain holding tank in Ericson 32-2
Time to bite the bullet and install a holding tank on our sail boat for the SF bay area (Jack London Square). Our basic plan to buy something from Ronco that will fit in the "hanging area" behind the head. I think I have a basic idea of how to select the tank, but I'm not sure how to deal with ports and hoses etc. I'm probably on a little more of a time budget then a $ budget, but as always want to be efficient. For my first post I thought I ask you experts for tips, suggestions, or other pointers to help me keep things as clean and simple as possible.
thanks everyone!
Dan,
You've probably already done your installation, but I wanted to let forum readers know I am just completing installation of a gravity feed tank in my 1975 Ericson 32-2, and it has worked out great. Like others, I first considered the usual locations; under the port side of the V berth, or under the dinette seating, but having chartered several boats (2 Juneaus and a Bavaria) that had a much simplified gravity drain system I became keen on pursuing that option. Doing it this way has made all kinds of sense, eliminating a macerator pump, whilst still allowing for a deck pump out, incorporating a gravity drain through my existing through hull, and as an added bonus, kept all the "toilet business" inside the head itself, plus now I still have the space under the V berth to add an additional fresh water tank, which will be much appreciated.
On my boat, the toilet is against the bulkhead to your right as you enter the heads, and there is a counter and sink against the port side hull. It turned out that the space above the counter was just sufficient for a tank (a 15 gallon Sealand SLD 840152, by Dometic), as long as I cut a slot in the counter top to accommodate the bottom of this wedge shaped tank (I didn't even have to move the sink!). Dropping the tank into the slot, with the angled side actually facing towards the sink (not against the hull, as I originally thought it would work), put the tank snugly into the space, and left just enough room above the tank for the top-of-tank plumbing. I did have to go to a local plastics company, however, to have an outlet spin welded into the bottom of the tank for the gravity drain through my existing through hull - the only modification required. The pump out deck fitting we were also able to line up correctly with the top of the tank, and with some careful trimming of the tank fitting we were able to drop the deck fitting (with a very short bit of hose hose already attached) directly onto the tank inlet, and clamp it into place.
So the way this works, of course, is when I want to use the holding tank as a holding tank, I simply close the through hull - the rest of the time (ie., when in deep water and discharge is allowed) I can keep the through hull open and flushing the toilet just lets your business pass through the tank. There is an added advantage to this in that it keeps the tank constantly flushed through, and doesn't allow anything to dry out in there, or become heavy with sludge.
I'm now in the process of framing the tank in with cabinetry, and am happy to report that there is still even some space for a few storage cubbies above and beside the built in tank.
I'll attach a few pics to show how this all worked out, and am pleased to be able to share this alternate way of incorporating a holding tank into the Ericson 32.
Graeme
PS - sorry, I couldn't figure out how to change the orientation of the photos. You can blame me for the crick in your neck!