On 27 Nov 2005 17:13:17 -0800, wrote:

I just bought a new boat (to me) and have some head questions.

First some info:

Boat - Hunter 34, 1983

Head - Jabsco manual head

Now my problems and questions:

1. My toilet is filling up with water after it is pumped dry. I am
assuming this is fresh water (lake inlet) but am not usre

On most sailboats, the bottom of the head is below the waterline, so
the outside water is likely to flow (or seep) through the pump into
the bowl. If it looks like the water will overflow the bowl while
sailing, it may be necessary to keep the intake seacock closed except
while flushing the head.

2. My holding tank seems to be filling up a lot faster than it should.
I have about a 20 gallon holding tank and it is full after a day sail
with light use. Keep in mind this includes a week's worth of sitting
without use.

3. I'm not familar with one part of the unit...Right next to the head
there is a manual pump. A hose comes in through a thru-hull and does a
loop that wraps back through the pump and to the holding tank. Is this
to pump out of the tank to the lake or the opposite?

There should be a pump immediately to the right of the head bowl, and
mounted on the same pipe that supports the bowl. This pump has two
parts, and will pump outside water into the bowl for flushing, as well
as pumping waste from the bowl to the holding tank. Do you have a
second pump there?

I would think that the only thing that can get into the holding tank
is what you pump there while flushing the head.

If you are on the Great Lakes (or probably most lakes), you should not
have any direct connection from the holding tank to the outside water
- the only way to empty the tank should be via a deck fitting to
shore.

However, if the boat came from a coastal area (particularly in
Canada), there may be provision to pump out to the sea (or lake) -
this could possibly provide an alternate route for water to enter the
holding tank.


Any help would be appreciated.

--
Peter Bennett, VE7CEI
peterbb4 (at) interchange.ubc.ca
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