Holding Tank Vent Hose Material

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by psneeld

It's called a vent hose for a reason...you have another issue going on if it keeps filling up with something else...whether it mud daubers or anything else you don't want in there.

Not much of a "fact" when mine doesn't have a speck in it after 3 years of liveaboard use....

Solve the "issues" or not much at all works.

It's not clogged or filling up with anything. But you are maybe right, if yours doesn't have a problem it must be a fact that vent hoses never permeate.

[IdoraKeeper]

Originally Posted by clockwork orange

Ive said it before on threads like this, there is no hose available that is a permenant fix for the stench, even the best hose is absurdly expensive and doesn't work for long, a better and permenant solution is to plumb as much of the system as you can with regular ridgid pvc pipe from the big box store, it will never permeate and is dirt cheap. You will still need to use some short lengths of hose to make connections but keep it to a minimum. You can form pvc to curves using a heat gun to reduce the number of fittings, it works. Personally i prefer not to haul a tank load of poo around so I use an airhead on my Gemini but I re plumbed my Aloha with pvc a few years ago, problem solved for cheap. We installed a plywood /epoxy tank with pvc plumbing on a customers boat over a decade ago with zero smell to date.

Steve.

Steve

You are so correct sir! The issue here is a perverse sense of traditionalism with regard to sewage. Persons sailing plastic boats who reject improved technologies? The very definition of perversity.
Its only really necessary to use hose on the below waterline/input side prior to the vented loop. The output of the head to the holding tank and the pump out line will stink if its hose. PVC will not permiate. The removal and replacement of hose is gross and a hazard to health.
Similarly, installing a multi gallon grey water tank is nonsense. Why store disease products on your boat? Build a PVC manifold and if below waterline, use a vented loop and a check valve in conjunction with an appropriately sized pump...get that stinky stuff off the boat.
It takes years to rid a boat of foul odors caused by hose. As a lover of boats and sailing you will convince yourself that the odor is gone..... just bring a lubber onboard who is not similarly enamored and watch their nose twitch. But, to each his own.......now to be rid of diesel stink!

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

It's not clogged or filling up with anything. But you are maybe right, if yours doesn't have a problem it must be a fact that vent hoses never permeate.

I think you started to use the word "fact" which is what I challenged.

I also never said it "couldn't permeate"...I just said mines fine after 3 years of liveaboard use and a constantly semi filled holding tank...I said I can't imagine what is 'building up" in a vent hose unless it splashes in the very bottom of it or the tank is being overfilled.

Working in the marine industry 15 years now and the 3 years at a Sea Ray dealership with their "fair share" of inexperienced boaters up scaling to boats with "systems", I had my share of cleaning out the vents and vent filters.

If you let the tank overflow into the vent....yep....cleanout/replace time..

If you don't, I'd love to know what's "building up"....I haven't ever seen it.

I use the cheapo stuff because it's cheap, easy to work with, and PVC so it's "permeation" is relatively low even compared to the hose that's way more expensive hose. If it does start to smell...it doesn't hurt so much to replace either physically or financially.

I'm just saying for vent's in general or for water fills...I can't imagine why one would spend money on "best quality" when the outcome is pretty much the same.

[dsteinfeld]

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

The removal and replacement of hose is gross and a hazard to health.

Definitely! I've found that an inexpensive respirator mask ($20-$30) with organic filter cartridges totally blocks the smell. That and disposable nitrile gloves makes the experience tolerable. It'll never be pleasant...