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Message board > Miscellaneous topics > Seawings 314 - Holding Tank

Message 6 of 6
Posted by member Robin/Seawings on Tuesday 10 July 2018

A few months ago I posted a plea for help regarding the fitting of a holding tank to a Hardy Seawings 314. I would like to thank very much, Simon Kidd and Peter Cox for their invaluable comments which helped my friend Dave and I through the process of having the tank installed. We took your comments “on board” and, as a result, we now have a serious 280 litre (approx.) holding tank installed at a considerable cost of around £3000. We never understood why our boat did not already have the holding tank installed at the time of manufacture but we accepted this and were determined that we should have one installed professionally for a variety of reasons. We have not yet had the chance to test it to the “full” but we are confident that we have had a “Rolls Royce job” done. Thanks again, and if our experience can be of any use to anyone else, please get in touch.
Rob and Dave

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Message 5 of 6
Posted by member Peter Cox on Wednesday 7 February 2018

I had a holding tank retro-fitted on my previous Hardy 27, again in the place where it would have gone if originally Hardy-fitted. Things I considered:
- Whether to have deck pump-out and rinse fittings, I decided not, as pump-out facilities are very rare where I am.
- How to discharge at sea (greater then 3 NM off-shore etc), I had a manual pump (via a sea cock) designed to handle the job (or big jobs if you prefer), I think it was a Whale. All OK if the tank isn't that big, otherwise consider an electric macerator pump.
- A tank vent is required but the expensive vent filters I did without, and no problem, including on my present Hardy 32, which doesn't have a filter either. Apart from the purchase cost, the renewable filters aren't cheap.
- Although Tec-Tanks are very good, I used a local (Suffolk) tank maker; not too bad and reasonable charges, plus a local self-employed chap to install, who was experienced in this task, very good and very much cheaper than the boatyard.
- Use the cheapest (=easiest dissolvable) loo paper and have stickers and verbal briefings to stop people putting inappropriate things down the heads. Nick some sanitary bags from a hotel and have them clearly available.
- Use Odourloss holding tank treatment; it really works.

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Message 4 of 6
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Tuesday 6 February 2018

Hi Rob and Dave.

In terms of hose length, under the aft berth should be fine - as long as a high quality tank and high quality hoses are used, you really want to help prevent as much as possible the build up of undesirable odours. In time, these have a habit of developing - and it's not nice when under the bed. Many boats (including the Hardy 36) use under bed tanks - spend the money on the components - no cheap plastic hose, use proper Sanitary hoses (Vetus et al) and decent tanks - try to avoid flimsy grade plastic tanks - nice heavy gauge material.

When it comes to holding tank size, consider the flushing water - as this is really where the tank contents volume tends to go. It does, of course, depend on how long you'll likely be between pump outs.

Best Regards
Simon.

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Message 3 of 6
Posted by member Robin/Seawings on Sunday 4 February 2018

Hi Simon
First of all, thank you for such a prompt and comprehensive response!
Here is a bit more background. The manual for the Seawings 314 shows the holding tank positioned under the mid-section double berth (aft cabin), next to the toilet compartment. When fitted, the manual specifies a tank of 288 litres. This is obviously where we would expect to fit a tank if possible as there is a big space next to the water tank with pipework to the toilet/output seacock etc.
So far we have had only one estimate from a company which was about £2,800. Their specification was for a 61 litre tank fitted into the starboard engine compartment. At the time they did not have the Owners’ Manual although this should not have made any difference as they did have the boat! We consider this to be expensive for a small tank not fitted in the most suitable position. Your comment ‘Engine compartments are common for retrofits’ is interesting as are your points regarding length of waste hose, cutting holes and size of tank.
Our boat is moored in Gillingham Marina so we are ‘close’ as far as your Thames comment is concerned. Your suggestion of being on board the boat when going through the job sounds like a good idea too. As you can tell, we are quite new to all of this but willing to learn from the experience of others. We will obviously get as much information as we can, including further quotes before we go ahead even though we are very keen to install a holding tank as soon as possible.
In the meantime, thanks again for your input and any further comments would be great. If anyone else has any suggestions we would be grateful too.
Kind regards
Rob and Dave

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Message 2 of 6
Posted by member Simon Kidd on Wednesday 31 January 2018

Hi Rob and Dave.

I don't know the layout of the 314 in terms of space for holding tanks and where they usally were fitted. Does the manual show the original location? This would normally be the best place.
Failing that - it's quite common to fit the tanks under aft berths (not ideal in my view). Others (Brooms and Sealines for example) usally have them under the saloon sole - just outside of the the toilet compartement. This is good in that the hose runs are short - helping reduce the chances of "waste standing in the pipes" ( you want to avoid this).

Engine compartments are common for retrofits - but of course the hose runs tend to be long and can lead to smelly bilges unless you flush the system through with lots of water (then you need a larger tank).

The cutting of (including cutting holes into) structural ribs and stringers should be avioded - a cowboy installer
would likely do this and compromise your structure.

The use of fresh water flushing is nice - this can really cut down on unpleasant odours - but I guess you're adding to your existing system so will know if you have smelling intake issues.

Hopefully a 314 owner will get in touch - otherwise Hardy Marine shoudl still have the info buried - and might be able to advise.

Ref who to do the job - it depends where you are?? Cheap is not alwayys good - but expensive is not always good either. If you're Thames or SW based, give me a call (see the survey ad in the for sale section, or details on the in the committee section of the HOC magazine), else have a chat with local onwers and yards - and see what they say? If in doubt - ask to see some previous work, or go through the job in detail - on board the boat so you know what they'll be doing. If your Broads based, the Hardy and Broom might be in a position to help. In terms of costs, let three or so yards or engieers have a look and give you costs. The costs will depend on the amount of work needed to run the hoses in and fit the tank - all boat models are different so difficult to give you a guide.

Best Regards

Simon

HOC tech Sec.

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Message 1 of 6
Posted by member Robin/Seawings on Wednesday 31 January 2018

We have become recent first-time owners of a Hardy Seawings 314 Elegance and are looking for the benefit of other members’ experience regarding the fitting of a waste holding tank as, for some reason, ours never had one installed even though the Owner’s Manual apparently shows one as standard.
We would appreciate any advice from anyone who has had similar work carried out, specifically with regard to costs, reliable fitters and anything else to consider or look out for when having a holding tank installed.
Thanks,
Rob and Dave

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