Looking for larger holding tank

[Jerry Schwab]

We have purchased a Beneteau 323 and are looking to replace the 13 gallon holding tank with a larger one - has anyone done this and what should I need to be concerned about?

[skipmac]

My boat predated holding tanks so the PO installed bladders when the rules came into play. I replaced them with custom made holding tanks to maximize capacity in the lockers where they're installed.

Just make sure you purchase good quality plastic (polyethylene or I think polypropylene will work) from a reputable supplier. Make sure you have all relevant fittings to match up with your installation. Larger vents are better, 1" diameter min. I set mine up with a fill and vent on top, drain from the bottom. Most I think are set up with fill and drain from the top, draining via a dip tube that goes to the bottom of the tank for sucking out the sewage.

[Lennie]

I replace my stainless holding tanks from Ronco Plastics - Marine Water Tanks, RV Water Tank, Auto Detail Tanks, Water Tanks
Made a drawing of where I wanted my fill, vent and drain lines and they made it to order from tanks they carry.

Len

[Jerry Schwab]

Thanks guys - still listening and gathering info and while am leaning towards the West Marine replacement but will need to be sure I have room. Was hoping other versions of Beneteau units might be a simple drop in fit.

[wrwakefield]

Originally Posted by Jerry Schwab

We have purchased a Beneteau 323 and are looking to replace the 13 gallon holding tank with a larger one - has anyone done this and what should I need to be concerned about?

Jerry,

Congrats on your new boat, and welcome to the forum.

We were faced with a similar consideration last year with our forward head. [1 of 2]

Instead if increasing the amount of human effluvia we were carrying with us, we decided to replace a perfectly good Lavac toilet with a Nature's Head composting toilet.

We couldn't be happier, and even our guests choose it over the 2nd Lavac '...because they don't have to pump...'

We kept the smaller holding tank to use as the liquid receptacle for the Nature's Head. [You can plumb the liquid side to a tank instead of using the built-in bottle.] Your 13 gallon tank will go a lot further this way...

You will find many discussions on this forum regarding same, and it is not my intension to change your thread into a composting head discussion, but rather introduce thoughts about another option.

If you feel this is worth evaluating, then check out the 3 main players in this market: [for boats] Nature's Head, Air Head, and C Head.

Here is my blog post with many more details [because we are asked about this so often...] in case you are interested in exploring further.

Just another way of looking at things...

Best wishes with your new boat!

Cheers!

Bill

[bsurvey]

why bother with a hard tank when you can put in a VETUS bladder bag

[Gravy26]

I am in the process of adding a holding tank to my Pearson 30 - never had one before.
I got the best price from Triple M Plastics out of Maine

Triple 'M' Plastics

As the tank is going under the vberth it's an odd shape so I made a mock up of one out of cardboard then took the dimensions from that and sent to them.
I had the tank within a month and it looks great:

[jheldatksuedu]

I have a few misc plastic tanks left over from my replacement job. I'm in LaBelle, Fl.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by bsurvey

why bother with a hard tank when you can put in a VETUS bladder bag

Don't know about the VETUS brand bladder but every other bladder I've ever encountered started stinking like sewage after a year or so of use.

PE tanks are about as impervious to smell as anything on the market.

[deblen]

I s--t thee not!

500 Gallon Plastic Septic Tank Norwesco 41320

[Gravy26]

That cost less than my 20 gallon tank..

[jeepbluetj]

Originally Posted by deblen

I s--t thee not!

500 Gallon Plastic Septic Tank Norwesco 41320

Maybe that'd fit under the v-berth if I put some force into it?

[Nicholson58]

Plastic Mart and Ronco. Plastic mart makes a HUGE variety of standard odd /special tanks but they are hard to find on the site. Some are named for the vessels they fit. For head tank, a water tank will not do. Holding tanks have thicker walls to prevent permeation (stink). I found the largest tank possible, made a cardboard copy to check the fit and then bought - presto. Tell them where and what fitting you want.

Rectangular.
Marine Holding Tanks | Boat Holding Tanks Plastic-Mart.com

The selection is much less than I previously found - CALL them.
Odd Sized Boat Tanks - Bow, Aft, V Shape

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Jerry Schwab

Thanks guys - still listening and gathering info and while am leaning towards the West Marine replacement but will need to be sure I have room. Was hoping other versions of Beneteau units might be a simple drop in fit.

I think if price is a consideration, I would research standard plastic tanks that fit your needs. Just as a side note, a plastic through hull works to add a fitting.

[gjorgensen]

+1 on Ronco Plastics. We replaced the 5 (!) gallon holding tank in our Beneteau 40.7 with a new Ronco tank positioned under the V-birth. I just picked something close and had the yard glass in a platform matching the bottom of the tank just above the hull.