CD 27 Head Holding Tank

[LOKI]

I just acquired a 1983 CD 27 Hull 256 and have traced the head to a tank under the port settee then to under the engine. Did they put 2 black water tanks in this boat ? I know the small water tank is under the V-Berth but from what i saw the black water was under the settee so why into the keel ?

[Northstar1014]

My 27 is very close in age to yours (#269) so I imagine they are similar.

I have the 2 water tanks, one under v-berth and one under the port settee. As you mention, my holding tank is also under the engine in what appears to be an integral fiberglass tank.

If you pull up the port settee cushion, is there a panel that gives you an indication of whether it is a water tank or holding tank?

[tjr818]

Slainte, Our 1980 CD27, had just one holding tank and it was under the port settee. Under the YSM8 is our bilge. I hate to think of the problems having a secondary holding tank would cause, especially in that location All holding tanks are gone. We have happily moved on ( pardon the pun ) to an Airhead composting head and we won't be going back.

[godspeed]

my cd27 is vintage 1978 and shows a history of past holding tank locations (holes drilled, piping removed, deck plates for 'waste water') i am considering an alternative to the present dometic "portapottie, empty it yourself" version which does not suite long term cruising or my sense of hygiene. can't imagine the location of the holding tank under the engine or in the keel.

Northstar, what does the second water tank under the port settee serve? does your 27 have a shower or sink in the head?

Tim: can you give some additonal details on the 'airhead' system? what are its dimensions and how often does it have to be serviced?

Southstar: congratulations on your acquisition and on joining the club of recently acquired. I am into my second year of ownership and still discovering what i acquired. but the boat is very forgiving of my ignorance.

[LOKI]

my cd27 is vintage 1978 and shows a history of past holding tank locations (holes drilled, piping removed, deck plates for 'waste water') i am considering an alternative to the present dometic "portapottie, empty it yourself" version which does not suite long term cruising or my sense of hygiene. can't imagine the location of the holding tank under the engine or in the keel.

Northstar, what does the second water tank under the port settee serve? does your 27 have a shower or sink in the head?

Tim: can you give some additonal details on the 'airhead' system? what are its dimensions and how often does it have to be serviced?

Southstar: congratulations on your acquisition and on joining the club of recently acquired. I am into my second year of ownership and still discovering what i acquired. but the boat is very forgiving of my ignorance.

Thank you , I have always wanted a CD and it took 27 years of cruising to get it ! I have discovered that the tank under the Port settee is indeed a water tank and the tank in the keel is Black water . What a weird place to put it . this boat has sat on the trailer since 2005 and I am going thru all the sea-cocks , plumbing , electrical and really havnt found to much wrong , I only need to get a new Port spreader, and put in a New engine . everything else is there . it had a westerbeke W13 but it was yanked by the previous owner for some reason as I bought the boat From the FT Myers Sea Scouts . More to follow for sure as Im excited to get her in the water in the next year

[Northstar1014]

Ah, glad to see that our set-ups are indeed same from the factory. I don't really know why there are 2 water tanks. Seems like a lot of water to me, especially without a shower.

My only sink is in the galley.

I am fairly sure that the fiberglass holding tank under the engine is not extending into the keel. The production videos of cape dory that I have seen on youtube show them with encapsulated keels -- I think it just makes up most of the bilge

[tjr818]

...Tim: can you give some additonal details on the 'airhead' system? what are its dimensions and how often does it have to be serviced?
....

Here is a link to dimensioned drawings for the airhead: http://airheadtoilet.com/specifications/

It fits easily in the space where the old head sat, however it is recommended to add some additional support for the liquid receptacle. We took a 1 x 4 and spanned it between the bulkheads. The airhead is quite tall and this 1 x 4 shelf makes it easier for my 5'-1" 1st Mate to use the head. For two of us sailing mostly weekends during the summer it can go all season before we have to deal with the "compost". We empty the liquids container everyday because we can. It could go two, maybe three days for a beer drinking crew of two. There is now a method where you can do away with the liquids container and pipe the urine directly into your holding tank. If we hadn't removed the holding tank that is what we would do. If we do any long cruising I will add a liquids holding tank.

[gates_cliff]

I have the same CD27 and Westerbeke 13 and holding tank under the engine. I hate to think about the prospect of needing to replace that tank.