Fresh water system for your head

[Ken Cave]

Many years ago, I installed a Johnson Head Aqua T and it has worked perfectly until last week.

I just rebuilt it with a kit for the pump assembly and joker valve, and found when I took it apart
I did not have the problems associated with a head that uses whatever the boat "sits" in.

Way back when, I found a perfect place on our CD 28 (1979 model) for a five gallon Jerry can
right in front of the waste tank for a fresh water system. I then installed a Y valve so that I can
use salt water and also fresh water to flush out the system.

There was no build up of salts, have not had any smells or nasty odors or any other problems
since I installed this system, and the hoses to the waste tank are over 20 years old.

If you can install a tank for fresh water, it will alleviate a lot of problems.

Hope this helps

Ken Cave
Dragon Tale

[Rebinva]

Where is your holding tank that you can put a 5 g can in front of it? How large is your holding tank?

[Maine_Buzzard]

I used the starboard holding tank to run fresh water to the head.

Admittedly, we weekend and I'm now in the middle of a bifurcated two week cruise downeast (boat's in Stonington for a few days...) so consumption is not a great concern.

Having no stink, no green goo, and no risk of siphoning from the intake seacock left open, I'm thrilled with the outcome. a 40 gal tank lasts most of the season, with some pumpouts on the holding tank.

[Ken Cave]

In my 1979 Cape Dory 28, the holding tank is in the pointy end of the boat and holds approximately
14 gallons

Between the tank and the V berth I found a "hole" that will fit a 5 gallon plastic Jerry can perfectly.
To hold it in place, I just used a couple of bungee cords.

I drilled a hole where one puts in the fuel and inserted my hose through the hole to the bottom of
the can.

By the head I installed a Y valve so I can use salt water as well as fresh, although the five gallons
will usually last a week. When the surrounding water is "clean" we do use salt water then rinse
the system with fresh.

I just rebuilt the head after four years of use. No build up of salt, no junk anywhere. And, I have
not replaced any of the hoses since I have owned the boat (now 14 years) and I don't know if they
ever replaced!

Hope this helps

Ken Cave

[Rebinva]

Thanks Ken. Good idea, but it seems none of your tanks are located where my tanks are located. I'll be looking for some place to put a 5 gallon jug, though.

[Rebinva]

Hey Ken,

one further question. When you are using salt water and then rinsing with fresh, how long between pump outs? We have a 13 gallon holding tank (in the hanging locker) and using only salt water we only can go about 3 days.

Thanks.