Problem with waste tank (with solution)

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This is how the outer shower room wall on my 355 looks now. 

After a passage in relatively heavy weather there was slight odour from the toilet inside the boat. With little effort it was easy to locate the source - the holding tank.

Unfortunately then the problems only started. There is an existing inspection hatch which is totally useless because it is drilled way too low and offers no chance to check any connections - you could only verify that the system is leaking indeed due to strong odour coming out then.

Luckily there was no waste in the bilge I decided to make another hole on the wall and then we could detect that leakeage was fortunately really minor. Main suspect, the deck vent had leaked little due to loose connection which was easily fixed. We also poured little septic additive and water behind the tank and all odours are gone since.

In the end I must say this could have been much worse. But what is extremely annoying is that Hanse has built this critical system in such way that there is no viable alternative to check the hoses and connections. And when the problem occured the only way was to destroy the wall in order to have an idea what is wrong. Also there is still 'stuff' somewhere below the tank but no access so it can not be cleaned until proper inspection hatches are installed.

We are thinking another yacht upgrade maybe 2015/2016 so I am very interested how Hanses after sales will deal with this issue now. Warranty is no longer void but this is clearly a fault they must carry their responsibility and cover the cost to repair the wall and the installation of proper inspection hatches on both ends of the tank.

- Perttu

Edited by Perttu - 10 September 2013 at 18:38

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Perttu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 13 October 2006 Location: Finland Status: Offline Points: 243	Post Options Post Reply Quote Perttu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Problem with waste tank (with solution) Posted: 02 August 2013 at 18:22
	This is how the outer shower room wall on my 355 looks now. After a passage in relatively heavy weather there was slight odour from the toilet inside the boat. With little effort it was easy to locate the source - the holding tank. Unfortunately then the problems only started. There is an existing inspection hatch which is totally useless because it is drilled way too low and offers no chance to check any connections - you could only verify that the system is leaking indeed due to strong odour coming out then. Luckily there was no waste in the bilge I decided to make another hole on the wall and then we could detect that leakeage was fortunately really minor. Main suspect, the deck vent had leaked little due to loose connection which was easily fixed. We also poured little septic additive and water behind the tank and all odours are gone since. In the end I must say this could have been much worse. But what is extremely annoying is that Hanse has built this critical system in such way that there is no viable alternative to check the hoses and connections. And when the problem occured the only way was to destroy the wall in order to have an idea what is wrong. Also there is still 'stuff' somewhere below the tank but no access so it can not be cleaned until proper inspection hatches are installed. We are thinking another yacht upgrade maybe 2015/2016 so I am very interested how Hanses after sales will deal with this issue now. Warranty is no longer void but this is clearly a fault they must carry their responsibility and cover the cost to repair the wall and the installation of proper inspection hatches on both ends of the tank. - Perttu Edited by Perttu - 10 September 2013 at 18:38
	Check my sailing videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/l11483?feature=results_main

PeterN Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 09 November 2010 Location: Maidenhead Status: Offline Points: 84	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterN Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 August 2013 at 23:33
	Hi Pertu, we had exactly the same problem with our black water tank, and I agree, the design is completely useless. You cannot see properly , nor can you actually get a hand in to do anything about the problem without dismantling the wall. We too found out by the really strong ammonia smell in the boat, and unfortunately for us, the waste had got into the bilges, came in contact with some of the cabling and corroded the connectors away. We have since found on a routine flush out that the pipe for either the deck pump out or the hull vent is actually about 3 or 4mm too short and so there is a gap between which lets the waste out. We now never use the holding tank and only flush straight to sea.
	Peter & Sue Hanse 355 #005 "Vryheid" "Vryheid"

Perttu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Captain Joined: 13 October 2006 Location: Finland Status: Offline Points: 243	Post Options Post Reply Quote Perttu Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 September 2013 at 18:28
	Hello, I am happy to report this problem is now fixed. Leak was really minor originating from the deck vent. Now I have installed proper hatches to check and access the system. I did see Hanse 345 & 385 in recent boat show and they both have improved structure regarding septic system. - Perttu
	Check my sailing videos - http://www.youtube.com/user/l11483?feature=results_main

Brufan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Rear Admiral Joined: 16 December 2010 Location: Belgium Status: Offline Points: 594	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brufan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 September 2013 at 18:35
	Perttu, thanks for sharing. Now i know what is behind this panel and how it is made.
	Bruno hanse 355 - 57 S/Y Spicy Ginger White hull, 2 cabins, Volvo D1-30, Selden rig, removable mainsheet track system, Simrad (now B&G)-Jefa autopilot.

ajoviken Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Sub Lieutenant Joined: 24 July 2022 Status: Offline Points: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote ajoviken Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 August 2022 at 23:07
	Perttu - they way you share and contribute to this board is nothing short of fantastic and really generous. I despise the septic tank placing and really would like to copy your solution. Is the shower wall possible to drill/cut anywhere? No reinforcements or anything you discovered in this solution? And did you retain your boat? Thanks Andreas owner since a month

MasterKeil Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commander Joined: 08 April 2007 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 96	Post Options Post Reply Quote MasterKeil Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 August 2022 at 19:51
	Another cause of minor leakages: the waste tank vent. The hull outlet has a a cage and can get totally blocked. We had it blocked by several bugs and flies. This caused a pressure rise in the waste tank when filling started. And the pressure was high enough to cause small leakages at the hoses.
	Hanse 370#640 "Nemesis"



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