Sewage smell under sail

[VeritasH49]

I have a 2007 hunter 49 with three heads, two forward and one aft. One black water tank forward servicing the two forward heads and one back water tank aft. The heads are equipped with Jabsco electric flush toilets. While under sail and listing to one side I have a bad sewage smell in the main cabin believed to be coming from the forward part of the boat. The tanks have been pumped, the vent pipes cleaned and the joker valves replace. Visual inspection of black water tanks does not show any leaks. The smell goes away once the boat is upright. Would appreciate any ideas anyone may have.

[Terra Nova]

All bilge areas in the vicinity of the holding tank should be thoroughly inspected for waste contamination. Use a remote camera if necessary. All waste hoses should be replaced and the tank pressure tested. The whole area should be cleaned.

[Paul Elliott]

When ocean water stands for a while (in hoses, or the bilge) the little creatures in it die and decompose, and give off a strong "sewage" or "rotten egg" smell. Could this be your problem?

[a64pilot]

Check the vent

[sailorboy1]

Check the forward shower sump pump! Clean that nasty box and strainer out!

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Check the vent

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

When ocean water stands for a while (in hoses, or the bilge) the little creatures in it die and decompose, and give off a strong "sewage" or "rotten egg" smell. Could this be your problem?

Checking the vent is a good idea - it'd make sense to go over all pipework, including the vent, especially if it's become loose or contaminated.



Also, Paul could be onto something here.. I had a poor smell that disappeared after I did the following treatment:

1) Turn off all bilge pumps.

2) Fill bilge from highest point with biosafe bilge cleaner (my choice was one of the citrus ones) mixed with fresh water - letting the mix flood through all paths throughout bilge.

3) Go for a sail to let it wash about

4) Turn on bilge pumps until all is cleared.

[chris95040]

You mention it only happens when heeling - sure it's not your crew?

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Originally Posted by VeritasH49

I have a 2007 hunter 49 with three heads, two forward and one aft. One black water tank forward servicing the two forward heads and one back water tank aft. The heads are equipped with Jabsco electric flush toilets. While under sail and listing to one side I have a bad sewage smell in the main cabin believed to be coming from the forward part of the boat. The tanks have been pumped, the vent pipes cleaned and the joker valves replace. Visual inspection of black water tanks does not show any leaks. The smell goes away once the boat is upright. Would appreciate any ideas anyone may have.

Does it still happen when you have the thru hulls for the sea water flush intakes closed while sailing? As Paul said, it could be the smell from the small creatures that exist and die in those raw water intake lines. We get that frequently.

[On Track]

I have 2008 Hunter 49. I found that my head discharge after the toilets macerator goes slightly downhill to the holding tank. There is no "trap" so holding tank gas can easily escape thru the toilet, even with a new joker valve. Not sure if yours is plumbed the same way...

[CSY Man]

Had the same from a holding tank vent.
Should put in an in-line vent filter but as a temporary fix I bought a holding tank treatment at WM, some tablets that dissolve in the toilet water, then pump the mix into the tank.
No more smell.

[mtarcher]

If your through hull is open, regardless of whether it's for the tank dump or the direct discharge side, you may be "uncovering" the opening in the hull when heeled over. This would allow the smell to enter the cabin if a hatch/port is open upwind. We have had the smell in the cockpit on a stbd tack.

[senormechanico]

But if you had a non heeling multihull...

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

But if you had a non heeling multihull...

..or twice the stink! ;-)

[mtarcher]

Who would own such a thing?

[mr-canada]

Originally Posted by Smokeys Kitchen

Does it still happen when you have the thru hulls for the sea water flush intakes closed while sailing? As Paul said, it could be the smell from the small creatures that exist and die in those raw water intake lines. We get that frequently.

It is for this reason all my seacocks for the head are opened and closed immediately before and after use. I leave nothing open. There are more reasons than that (ie potential failure) but I find that sometimes in a blow or a heavy sail the head has taken on a bit of raw water and it stinks like.... well you know.

It doesn't take long, at least for me as my seacocks are right next to the head. I just train all crew on this policy and do it myself and never have any smell issues, whereas when I was a laxidazical newbie sometimes my head was just ghastly.