Replacing the thru-hull vent for my waste holding tank.
 

I have a 1993 26' Chris Craft stern drive and have need to replace the thru-
hull vent for the holding tank. The tank is on the port side of the boat
down in the engine compartment and the vent is properly located above the
tank. I have need to replace the holding tank vent and the problem I have is
that I can't reach up far enough from the inside of the boat to access it for
removal and reinstallation. There are no panels that can be removed to
access the vent thru-hull area directly from inside the boat. The location is
only accessible by reaching up from inside the engine compartment. I pulled
all the engine panels and got down into the engine compartment but my arms
(I'm 6 ft and my arms are pretty long) don't seem to be able to reach down
and up to get at the location where it goes thru the hull. I'm thinking next
of getting a mirror so I can at least look up into that space so I have an
idea of what I am dealing with. Because so far my attempts have pretty much
been employing the braille method of feeling around in the general area of
the vent. I might be able to extend my reach if I somehow get on my back
hanging down into the engine compartment so that I am at least coming from
down below when reaching up into the space where it exits. I assume the vent
hose from the tank goes up into a loop just above the actual vent and then is
secured by a hose clamp to the actual vent. Does anyone have any special
tricks they use or suggestions on how to get access to such a spot? Short of
using my check book- take it to marina that does boat repairs. Which I am
considering.

Which leads me to my next question. All the boat parts supply catalogs (West
Marine, etc) carry gas tank vents. None make any mention of holding tank
vents. The vent and vent hose on my holding tank look exactly like the fuel
and water tank vents and hoses which are both on the starboard side of the
boat. Am I safe in assuming the vents are generic in regards to application?


Thanks much.

Replacing the thru-hull vent for my waste holding tank.
 

Sometimes you just gotta haul out that wallet, or find a really skinny
kid to crawl up there. The vents are generic, you can use the fuel tank
vents if you want, but a straight through-hull mushroom will work
better. You don't really want a screen in there, and the bigger the
vent the better. By the way, why do you need to replace the current
one?

Replacing the thru-hull vent for my waste holding tank.
 

Keith wrote:
Sometimes you just gotta haul out that wallet, or find a really skinny
kid to crawl up there. The vents are generic, you can use the fuel tank
vents if you want, but a straight through-hull mushroom will work
better. You don't really want a screen in there, and the bigger the
vent the better. By the way, why do you need to replace the current
one?


A. the boat is almost 14 years old

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Replacing the thru-hull vent for my waste holding tank.
 

iamchas wrote:
Sometimes you just gotta haul out that wallet, or find a really skinny
kid to crawl up there. The vents are generic, you can use the fuel tank
vents if you want, but a straight through-hull mushroom will work
better. You don't really want a screen in there, and the bigger the
vent the better. By the way, why do you need to replace the current
one?


a. the boat is almost 14 years old
b. the thru-hull vents are made of plastic
c. the plastic has gotten brittle with age
d. and the real reason- on one of the last outings of the season I apparently
banged against a pier and snapped it off.

But the other 2 vents are getting brittle as well so will be in need of
replacing soon as well.

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Replacing the thru-hull vent for my waste holding tank.
 

Keith wrote:
Sometimes you just gotta haul out that wallet, or find a really skinny
kid to crawl up there. The vents are generic, you can use the fuel tank
vents if you want, but a straight through-hull mushroom will work
better. You don't really want a screen in there, and the bigger the
vent the better. By the way, why do you need to replace the current
one?


And by the way- thanks for the advice on the vent type.

Charlie

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