Bavaria 30 Holding Tank

[livefats]

Hi Guys,

Just bought a 2006 Bav 30, and am spending the first couple of days shake-down cruising. It appears that the heads won't discharge directly into the sea - and that everything therefore goes straight tot the holding tank.

I'm confused: I thought there'd be a selector switch to choose between holding tank and direct discharge. Under the sink, there is a skin fitting for the sink and or the shower drain, a shower drain pump (not working - subject for another post!), and two other skin fittings from the sea toilet - a smaller one with a red handle (inlet?) and a larger one with a green handle (outlet?) I'm a newbie to anything more technical than a bucket, but I do know that the handle inline with the pipe is open, at rigth angles closed (but I have tried both ways JIC!) I'd assumed that the green handle in open position would mean that the heads would discharge directly, but no, into the holding tank.

I'm also confused because I had expected to find a pump and marcerator, but I'll be moggadored if I can find either.

Any help gratefully received!

Chris

[Symphony]

You have a gravity system. All the waste goes through the tank. If you close the big outlet through the hull then the waste stays in the tank. If you open the valve any waste goes out by gravity. If you leave it open while flushing the loo it goes straight out. Usual way of operating is to leave it open when not in use or when using at sea, close if using the loo in harbour and open when out at sea. If you have a deck pumpout - and can find a pump - you can also get the waste pumped out. Don't leave it full of waste if possible as it can block the outlet - not pleasant!

[IslandAlchemy]

Do you not have a Jabsco diverter valve on the outlet?  I thought this was the standard factory fit with holding tanks?

[MIA]

Mine has the same set up in both tanks but my last boat a Hunter legend had the jabsco diverter valve

[livefats]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

@IslandAlchemy: no Jabsco diverter (that I can see) - just a seacock with a green handle for open/close.

@Symphony: pump out is not a major problem, as the marina we're currently in has a pumping station. So if it's a gravity feed and the outlet valve is open (at sea!) whilst I work the loo, and it doesn't discharge overboard, I guess that sounds like a blockage. Oh dear.

There seems to be a circular inspection hatch at the top of the plastic holding tank - would it be worth trying to open this and having a prod with a stick? Or might that cause more problems than it solves?

BTW, the 301 information panel tells me that the holding tank is 0% full - but I can see a line of liquid about half way up the tank through the white plastic. I  guess the sensor's gone as well!

[MIA]

If it blocks up, the way I clear is to put two foam ear plugs into the breather/overflow hose and with the seacock opened use the vacuum pump and eventually I will suck seawater through and clear the blockage. if it happens and if your moored in Largs I will show you.

[Symphony]

Think you will find the inspection hatch is above the outlet so you can rod to clear the obstruction. The alternative is to do it from the outside as the outlet is on the waterline so accessible. Either rodding or use a dinghy pump with something wrapped round the hose to get a good seal on the outlet fitting.

[livefats]

Thanks, Mia /Symphony: pootled out in the Firth,  blocked the breather and used the pump as you suggested, and bingo - problem solved!

What a great forum. Find me in  the LSC bar and I'll buy you a drink!

Best wishes,

Chris (Freebird of Largs)