I'm changing the head hoses on Toodle-oo! today. Eugh! Why? Because we've had occasional blockages and last time I realized that the buildup in the hoses was excessive. While I probably could just remove all hoses and bang out the build-up, I thought I'd start fresh with new hoses - and a new vented anti-siphon bend.

I've chosen to use the typical white sanitation hose - but wonder if other folk use other stuff.
How do you stop the build up within head hoses? We use vinegar occasionally - but obviously not frequently enough...


Our plumbing takes waste from the head, via a vented loop, to a holding tank. The tank can either be emptied from the bottom, by gravity via a thru hull or it can be pumped out from a deck fitting.

Unfortunately, the bottom of the tank is not a lot higher than the thru hull and is about 3 feet forward of it, so the lower emptying hose has a very slight gradient - I wish it were a significantly shorter run and therefore steeper... A couple of years ago, after various blockages, I re-plumbed the lower exit to include a macerator pump (force the stuff out!), but was later convinced to remove that from the system as being a disaster waiting to happen when it fails. It's sitting there not attached now.

Question: Would you incorporate the pump or leave it out of the system? If you did incorporate it, how would you facilitate fixing it when it breaks (when of course the tank is full!)?


We've met several boats that don't allow the flushing of any paper products in order to avoid blockages. Is that something you do? (Interestingly, the first boat we encountered that told us this, ended up with a blockage the following week! Too much chocolate??)
The thought of putting paper in a separate container and then having to deal with that is just not appealing...
edited by bbalme on 11/5/2018

Bill Balme

Thanks for all those thoughts Dick!

I can confirm that I have previously used the thick grey reinforced hose - got rid of it all this time around - not the easiest to deal with! It's now all white!

I proceeded too quickly - so replaced what was there - including vented loop. Next time, I think I'll be going direct from the head to the tank and eliminate the loop. Good idea. (Good job therefore that I didn't follow your recommendation to pre-cut the next batch of hoses!)

It was the thru-hull that I replaced and the new one stands rather higher than the old - exacerbating the gradual gradient - but I take your point -it probably is doing some degree of cleaning when the thru hull is open. Anyone want to buy a slightly used macerator pump - and another new in the box spare!

Thanks for the link about the vinegar - I somewhat figured it was a waste of time and now that I have independent verification, perhaps I can convince the Admiral to stop the process!!!

Cheers!
edited by bbalme on 11/6/2018
edited by bbalme on 11/6/2018

Bill Balme