Crazy Toilet Problem / Gravesend Bay Pumpout

[allanpeda]

So last week I notice a noxious sulfurous odor upon flushing.

I pull up to the fuel dock and ask around only to learn that the marina I am at has no pump out!

My boat is at Marine Basin Marina in Gravesend Bay, north of Seagate. Of course I will ask neighbors where they go, but maybe someone has a nearby recommendation? We are right next to Excelsior Yacht Club (private AFAIK), so if I don't need an invite, It would be terrific to go there. I guess I need to go to Sheepshead Bay. I need to fix this on an empty tank (obviously).

Here;s the punch line though: A really wild symptom that I just noticed today. Bear in mind that I just bought this boat (1989 Catalina 30) last fall, and the marine surveyor - everyone - says it's a sweet boat. My nephew goes to use the toilet and when he flushes water sprays out of the base of the stanchion right by the head!

I am sure fixing this will be a nightmare.

Sweet boat. Headache after headache. I think the prior owner never sailed more than 1/4 mile from the previous marina.

[maine50]

see if the holding tank vent is inside the stanchion (follow the vent from the tank). If the tank is chock full it will overflow out the vent.

[allanpeda]

A vent inside the stanchion? Wow. That seems odd, but it's good news if I am overreacting. That is so fricking weird.

[rodney_k]

Pretty common on Catalina 30s to have the holding tank vent in the stanchion. Look for a small 1/8 - 3/16" hole near the base of the stanchion. Usually on the inboard side of the stanchion but I've seen them on the outboard side too. My C-42 has the starboard water tank vent installed the same way. The stanchion is specially made with a hose barb at the base.