Sometimes, people install vent lines on the top side of a tank instead of on 
top. When the boat heels over with a full tank, and someone pumps, the vent 
line gets clogged with sewage. When they continue to pump, leaks develop and 
spill sewage into the bilge.

Don’t ask me how I know. It was ugly. I cursed the unknown guy who installed 
that vent line for days.

Jack Brennan
Former C&C 25
Shanachie, 1974 Bristol 30
Tierra Verde, Fl.

From: Rick Brass 
Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2013 10:01 AM
To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com 
Subject: Re: Stus-List water level in head/bowl

In my experience, the most likely cause for a plugged vent line is spider 
webs/nest or mud daubers having plugged the vent outlet. I work part time as a 
dockmaster at our municipal docks – which is one of the few pump outs in the 
area and sees a lot of traffic. We run into a lot of cases where the vents are 
plugged on boats that have not been used for a few weeks. The only cases I can 
recall of being unable to pump a tank were either plugged vents on the side of 
the boat, or the occasional owner of a vacuum head who does not turn off the 
vacuum pump (I understand there is no vent line in a vacu-flush head system).

 

Not likely to find dried “material” in the vent hose. Unless you REALLY 
overfill the tank there should normally only be liquid in the hose. The solid 
“material” settles to the bottom.

 

Look at the vent fitting on the outside of your hull. It should have a piece of 
screen inside of it to prevent spiders and wasps from getting into the fitting. 
You will probably find mud or a mass of spiderweb material in the opening, and 
blocking the vent.

 

 

Rick Brass

Washington, NC

 

 

 

From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Jake 
Brodersen
Sent: Sunday, November 03, 2013 9:29 AM
To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com
Subject: Re: Stus-List water level in head/bowl

 

David,

 

A leaking joker valve may allow the bowl level to rise over time.  If your head 
is below the waterline, I suppose it’s possible for some intake water to seep 
through the pump, but I’ve never seen that happen.  Since you have closed the 
through hull, this is not the problem for you.

 

As the level in the holding tank rises, it puts more pressure on the joker 
valve, which may cause it to leak more.  If your vent is plugged, it may be 
better to replace than try to clean it.  You could always try attaching a hose 
firmly to the vent hose.  Just remove it from the through hull and seal it 
temporarily.  It may not take much to clear it, depending on what is causing 
the clog.  Dried material may need to soak before it clears out.

 

Jake

 

 

 



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