Smelly Boat Projects: fuel tank & composting head

[@samholmessailing]

Got just enough signal to upload this from the Everglades by climbing to the top of my mast.

[@teslafudge1585]

You are living the life my man. Thanks for keeping us updated! 🤙🏽

[@danieloliver20]

Sam you're getting close to 50k subs, hot damn!

[@BeauChampion]

Now that's dedication!! 😄

[@emilybh6255]

You are a riot, LOL! Did you take your computer to the top of the mast with you to do it?

[@LycandersAim]

You're the fucking man haha.

[@bradmottishaw467]

I love the Renaissance Man / Macgyver way you go about doing things on your boat. It makes it appear to be such an Accessible lifestyle when you don't over complicate things.

[@SkylersRants]

You should rename this channel to “Drilling Holes in Everything on My Boat.” LOL

[@ZachD555]

Nice video Sam, I like the noctua fan for the toilet

[@mikeparker3865]

Keeps the CPU (Central Poop Unit) cool and operating properly

[@PyeGuySailing]

I ripped out the holding tank on my houseboat years ago, I installed a natures head composting head. When I sold the boat I took the head with me. When I bought my sailboat I ripped out both holding tanks on the sailboat and installed the composting toilet. I will never go back to a holding tank system again.

[@hanfordcreek5309]

When I bought my Cape Dory 25 the head had been removed. The previous owner said the same thing, "Heads always smell." I looked into a composting unit but all the commercial ones were too tall for my limited space and I was afraid that anything that I faked together would be too sketchy to ask a guest to use. So I studied up and designed my own system. I learned that there are several factors that effect how a head smells. 1) Aeration, make sure that there is plenty of oxygen in the tank. Use a charcoal filtered vent. Aerobic bacteria will breakdown the contents of the tank without odor, anaerobic bacteria stinks. 2) Use fresh water. It is much more conducive to the breaking down of waste and the salts will not build up in your plumbing. 3) Plumbing, use the expensive hose...it's worth it. Also, hard plumb with PVC wherever you do not have vibration. It's cheap and will not smell.

[@mcformica]

Agree. Get regular PVC piping where it won’t move. And get the heavy duty flexible hose from WestMarine. It’s expensive but stops the odors. My experience is most head smells seem to come from using the wrong hoses. Also, it’s easy enough to install a pump out on your deck. Again though you need to get the right vacuum hose from West Marine. Also worth borrowing or buying a heat gun (I paid $19 for one at Home Depot). It will help heat up the hose and make it more pliable and capable of attaching to fitings). Great channel. Really enjoy your videos.

[@SoundzAlive1]

I have found that the usual suspect is the build up of salts etc on the one way valve which causes the black water to flow back down the pipe which you may or may not see in the head but you can definitely smell. Regular cleaning of the one way valve prevents this.Also other factors which have been covered here. André

[@tomharrell1954]

THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION !

[@davidbarrett7424]

Your jabasco was incorrectly installed. The inlet antisyphon was between the seacock and the pump - on the *suction* side and was the reason you had trouble flushing it. I made the same mistake, and also had a smelly loo. Re-read the instructions and understood the inlet antisyphon is installed between the pump and the bowl (the *pressured* side) and is only needed if your loo is below the water line so i just omitted it and now have a nice easy flush and no smells. TBH if i was installing it again, I'd plumb the flush feed through double check valves from fresh water to avoid calcification. Happy sailing Sam :-)

[@lukedenbleyker5091]

White vinegar for cleaning it and leave it in the lines over night. Pump valve and lines will work the next day. It's a PM thing.

[@prflyer68]

Easy soldering job for any stainless steel soldering person. Had the same issue fixed on my tank

[@claverton]

when I bought my boat it had a homemade holding tank that was badly built and installed and a total disaster. First thing I did was pull it out and it was freaking disgusting. I put it straight into a garbage skip at the marina when no one was looking and for days when people walked past the skip you'd hear "yuk, what's that awful smell?" which would give me a feeling of both secret guilt and pleasure.

[@spymaine89]

never buy a boat with thru hulls all drains above waterline , O/B TOILET IS BUCKET IN HEAD AREA, most times you hang over side, unless you are rich and your servants clean up.

[@SoundzAlive1]

Thanks for lettings is see the other side of boat life. I did like your way of measuring the water output from your diesel, well done. André

[@trippontwowheels]

Question... What will prevent seawater/rain from entering the toilet exhaust vent?

[@danceswithcarsdc]

Not a drain trap... And if gets down to electrical exhaust fan a serious problem... Swiss cheese boat..Sam likes drilling too much, imnsho...

[@danceswithcarsdc]

Condensation too... Temp affects bacteria and gas type production... Dryer heater air duct hose only temp solution, imnhso. Real duct work, and replace each year or less... Chimney sweep like for plumbing. CPAC on the other end...

[@thecirinos]

Is this guy a comedian? This video is complete humor.

[@MarkSpohr]

More joy with the internal combustion engine. Ready to go back to electric? If you keep urine separated from the solids, the composter should work well and be odor free. Some composters have a pocket that captures urine to keep it out of the bucket.

[@ciselycormier]

Hey there. I have been watching since before you had this many subscribers. Inasmuch as people comment on how you smile, I would like to comment on how good of an innovative creator you are. Not talking about content, but that’s great too. Speaking of your problem solving skills on your boat. Great job, Captain! You’re an inspiration for us who wish to do the same and in general!

[@richkallerud2781]

Your head and holding tank were in bad shape; cleaver compost-bucket fix. I had friends that cruised from the Med to the Caribbean for six years with just a cedar bucket, although they often just held onto the shrouds and hung over the side to poop. We have always used a marine head with both a Y-valve and a macerator. As you know once you’re out of the US there are no pump outs it’s all into the sea. The 28 I’m working on has neither, but has only been used as a day sailor so the tank was ‘fresh’ so a new head and lines work for now. Your fuel tank leak scares me, but cool fix there also. Good video.

[@snakeplisken4278]

From experience (unwanted) it takes 16 - 18 days for fly eggs to hatch. Don't waste time with any diatomaceous earth product to kill them (it does not work). We use cedar wood chips not coconut (get fine grain and larger grain) and empty every two weeks = no bugs. We have the C-Head by the way and love it.

[@trippontwowheels]

Nice. Harbor freight sells sailing gear! Who knew? Good to see you back Sam!

[@Gardureth]

What a great idea! using the tools from the hardwarestore, instead of buying them. 10x kudo's for you Sam! PS: Thats growing into a really nice beard!

[@MrMichaelcurran]

Ah! the working of a yacht. You seem to have cleaned the tank, a-fixed a proper seal and more importantly, cleared the air. Best wishes to you and those who sail with you.

[@TheGammerguy]

Hey buddy, I put in a Seahead composting about 6 monthes ago on my yamaha 33 sailboat i love it! no smells you can use it about a week before dumping the dried compost.

[@danieloliver20]

Great solutions for the diesel and turd tanks! Holding tank hoses are nasty when they go bad and NO FUN when you have to replace them, don't ask, haha...

[@exroyalcanadian]

Getting that stainless tank fixed would of been my choice.

[@spymaine89]

why? plastic works for ever

[@spymaine89]

Actually, any petroleum fuel is noncorrosive to metals. In order for corrosion to occur, a conductive material like water must be present in the fuel system ''must have been water sitting on bottom inside.

[@exroyalcanadian]

@@spymaine89 Anyone that's been on the water will tell you having a fuel tank that holds a decent amount of fuel is much preferred. The day your rig fails and your only option is engine power I'd want a fuel tank that I don't need to worry about refilling.....in a storm possibly. As for the corrosion, it happens....not usually on stainless, I was surprised to see that.

[@Captain10Star]

Me too. Would have been cheap to fix one small hole. What do you think about this guys toilet?

[@danceswithcarsdc]

@@Captain10Star "don't give a shit..."

[@guyfox68]

Great job adapting the fuel tank....That should last you a long time with out worry...All that work and even time for a hair cut in between....lol

[@mselsk7784]

the fuel tank cleaning was satisfying

[@saintsfanbudman]

I would strongly recommend some gloves for jobs like this. Thick rubber ones!

[@highbornleek367]

Can we see a boat tour after all the modifications video? I really want to see the inside of the boat and how you use it after all of the projects. Also love the vids! Keep it up?

[@johnbolongo9978]

I put a natures head on my boat and works well...a bit pricey but woman are ok using it. Easy to clean and change pee tank.

[@Jack-ne8vm]

Wonder if your black water tank could be used for diesel?

[@davidc6510]

great videos on your latest boat projects. Nice job Sam!

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Oh man I was panicking every time you removed a hose from the head system.

[@spymaine89]

never buy a boat with thru hulls . OB, ALL Drain's ABOVE WATER LINE . poop and pee in a bucket . lash the bucek

[@steveoscaro]

I recently bought a 38ft ericson with a head with the same problems (smells, backflows, bad seals), and also just want to rip it all out and put in a composting toilet. I've been dreading it. This makes it seem not so bad. Although I think my holding tank is probably too large to get out of the companionway with somehow partially disassembling it. Ugh.

[@ddoyle11]

I had the head on my boat out on the slip every couple of weeks to clean out the salt crystals and replace the diaphragm and seals. Wish I had got a composting one like you did!

[@daniellisy7161]

How is the composting toiled performing, I instaled on in our cottage and on land it works great. How does it perform on rought sea, how have you secured it not to move, and not to unleash on you its insides while in high sea?

[@gjunior2471]

Took care of it like a champ.I would have been gagging the whole time.

[@prof.heinous191]

Am I right in thinking some countries wont let you in without a black water tank??

[@jerrysmith3515]

Sam you are more brave than I am. I am not sure what I would have done if I were in your predicament. But most likely would have hired it out. So is the vacuum design full of flaws? The boats that I have rented always had the macerator system. I am not sure what system would be the best but the composting idea does not sound much better. Good luck to you in that regard. On a lighter note I watched a video that referred to making a direct deposit when not in the marina area. haha. Also I want to commend you on all the improvements that you have done on your boat. You seem to have a knack for finding the solutions. Oh I am glad you demonstrated that little transfer pump too. I have seen it advertised on TV but I typically do not trust the TV ads. That will come into good use for transferring fuel into my lawn mower fuel tank. Thank you. Be safe.

[@nafod32]

Putting the fitting together with wrenches of the shelve lol. Looks like me in Home Depot

[@inonji5632]

crazy how much that whistle sounded just like a disney one. What kind of work did you do @ disney?

[@alsmidlifecrisis8765]

If you don't want to have the holes in the aluminum tank welded just drill a hole thru it and put a bulkhead type drain plug in. You can't have too much fuel

[@samholmessailing]

There were so many pits and pinholes it wasn’t worth fixing. To much work to get it in and out.

[@Brett.1984]

So glad i get to watch you doing stuff that i would love to be doing but due to work and kids im not allowed to set out alone and see the world. Maybe in VR i can make it happen. Great vids man really admire your determination. 1776

[@martinparker9249]

that hatch u put in @1:52 wil crack and deteriorate if its petrol.....not sure about diesel

[@TylerHunt808]

What did you use to seal the return line connector and vent? Did you use a gasket or anything at all?

[@DriftfishCo]

Can you get a urine separator/diverter instead of peeing in a bottle?

[@mikejenkins4598]

So now you have a litter box instead of a toilet !

[@spymaine89]

what do you think a toilet is? on a boat its a round box that stores your shit under your bed.

[@spymaine89]

@Sea Horse CARTOONS? i as well prefer a litter box. and a happy garden

[@GarySmith-up1un]

Sam, You do more with 1 hand than i can do with 2 anymore. 👍👋

[@dylanhuculak8458]

Even your "crappy" videos are interesting. ;)

[@redwood1957]

How did this set up work on your crossing? Thank you

[@stig2795]

Love your videos Sam, but I had to chuckle. @9:17 while taking off a hose, "and this one scares me" says the guy that sails solo across oceans. :)

[@mitchellbarnow1709]

Two awesome, but difficult, smelly and dirty projects! Great going, Sam!

[@TyBraek]

Also make sure that fuel tank provides enough fuel pressure for a diesel. Its fine for a carburetor, but diesels usually need more fuel pressure.

[@cedarrivers6622]

Great video! Nice projects. Great job too Sam!

[@dirkweigl5859]

Einstreu fuer Nagetiere ist vielleicht besser, da es besser Fluessigkeiten aufnimmt. Z. B. Holzspäne benutzt man bei uns in Finnland fuer Komposttoiletten

[@kellymendonsa6442]

Nice video , good job with all the projects 👍👍👍

[@TerrydeAlaska]

I met a guy once that made a composting toilet by using a paint paddle stir that paint contractors use with a drill gun to stir paint in a 5 gallon plastic. Anyway he put a hole in the top and then used a hand crank to stir up the solids after each time he used it...

[@38below39]

Sam's sensational boat fixes ..Nice work

[@daneulekowski929]

I use the same pump for pumping the peanut oil from my turkey deep fryer back into it's jug.

[@sailorrhodes41]

Smart move with the head!👍🏻

[@synt4x.93]

Nice use for a Noctua.

[@joeywever9194]

Thanks for posting mate, I'm always looking forward to your videos. Nice job on both the fuel and shit tank. One of the few times it's good not to be you😅

[@OutDoorZombie]

Wel done Sam!

[@wjstewdog]

First time I have ever seen you in a polo shirt. Do you only wear it on plumbing projects? Glad you replaced your fuel tank. Thanks for the video

[@Crapsight]

composting toilets? Interesting. Think I go for that myself.

[@TrevorStevenson123]

Last time I was this early we were on a trip to Hawaii

[@michaelc.4413]

You are very efficient. How long time does it go from thought to project done? Great following you, thanks for upload

[@momobadilak]

5 gallon buckets with fitted toilet seats are really under-rated. cheap and simple. I like the vent setup

[@sergeirachmaninoff5442]

you should get a new septic tank thing and use it to store water in

[@samholmessailing]

noted

[@haraldbernage1126]

Funny how i am holding my breath when watching you popping those toilet hoses. Dont want to smell thru me screen

[@PheelTheJoy]

That stainless fuel tank is an easy fix if you still have it!

[@offtherichter7]

Did you consider just patching the diesel tank with some JB weld? that was a lot more work

[@ronblubaugh9380]

Do you still need a fuel tank? Or gonna stick with the plastic tanks.

[@samholmessailing]

I got a 12 gallon plastic tank now.

[@Senorzilchnzero]

What is that thing he's talking about at 6:40? Does anyone know the name of that transfer gadget by any chance?

[@marceld6061]

battery powered fuel transfer pump?

[@captbill]

www.harborfreight.com/battery-operated-liquid-transfer-pump-63847.html

[@RobZavalaPhotography]

I love you Sam! great video

[@southerntexashomestead5028]

Good for you kicking that stinky thing off the boat. I think your composting toilet is a great idea. Where did you get your new fuel tank ? I want to do the same with my boat.

[@jessepushee9653]

what kind of contract work do you do for disney?

[@scottwallace4428]

Love the noctua fan haha

[@Bloodwake14]

Some JB weld would have held that original tank. If not a boat yard would have put a tack weld on it for free im sure

[@randywarren6925]

Well done👍😇

[@blessed885]

3:15 NOOOoooo! Curse you aquascum(gas) ⛲🌬️💨⛵🌬️

[@coolcreamykiwi]

fuck it, just use the bucket!.... I had a marine purpose built soft black bucket, with rope tied to it for dipping in sea, it was awesome, had wide lip for when I sat my lilly-white turd cutter on it to make deposits, of course you need to have some level of head to comply with local norms and entry requirements.

[@davidlp6510]

Sam when you are on a voyage (is this the proper term??) wouldn't it be easy to just do your business in the water? Like jump in the water and do it? Of course when you are parked by a marina that is not possible unless you are a 3 years old kid. Once in a voyage down under when we threw our "dark water" overboard some sharks "recycled" it for us. One more reason to avoid sharks.

[@marceld6061]

You don't want to do your 'business' off a moving boat. Too many chances of falling off. If you are a solo sailor, you will quickly find yourself a solo swimmer. If you are on night watch, again, it may be hours before you are found to be missing. Never a good idea. When on a 'passage' you don't "pull over" to take a pee. It's not like driving a car. There are no rest stops. You want to keep your momentum up. Here's another consideration- do you want to swim in your urine and fecal matter? Yeah. I didn't think so.

[@DevonPalmer98]

Sam you're rocking that haircut and beard

[@albatros1752]

great Video, bu I cant find that fuel pump on HbFr store .

[@captbill]

www.harborfreight.com/battery-operated-liquid-transfer-pump-63847.html

[@roncanizares9966]

How were you going to remove the aluminum shavings from cutting and drill holes in your old fuel tank if you had been able to use it?

[@Waxer72ndVFW]

Can't wait for the re-make of the film "The Martian." Starring Sam as the intrepid astronaut.

[@rifke]

Go Sam Go

[@colehankins]

I would have repurposed the holding tank to fuel and added 24 gals to the inventory

[@robgiffer5013]

Hey Sam I just bought a pearson Vanguard up in Venice and looking for a hand to get it back to Cape Coral. Happy to pay for your time. Up For It?

[@mkaplan99]

Rob Giffer If Sam isn't available you can contact me.

[@robgiffer5013]

Yes no maybe so?

[@Nicholas_Devine]

Good thing that’s not a “gas” tank! Otherwise you and that boat would have been bye bye.

[@svZia-Switch51]

I totally get why you’d want to replace the holding tank and toilet, but I’m baffled why you didn’t just have the fuel tank repaired and then put back in.

[@jonathanoasis]

because of cost of repair?

[@svZia-Switch51]

If you keep going cheap on a boat, you can forget ever selling it. Why buy a boat that has been chopped up with cheap repairs when there are plenty of nice ones on the market.

[@jonathanoasis]

@@svZia-Switch51 A plastic fuel tank which will last 40 years and easily replaceable is hardly going cheap..it is going Practical.

[@mammaholmes]

People seem to have lots of opinions about the intricacies of 'elimination'; you might remind them that you are super-human and don't poop like most people 💩.

[@johnbrooks3750]

Those plastic toilets aren't worth rebuilding. I have a old Wilcox Crittenden, with bronze pump housings. That is worth the rebuild. I have rebuilt mine and replaced hoses - no smell! Article in current Good Old Boat on composting type - they look interesting.

[@sophiaholmes2048]

Maybe some dishwashing gloves would make your toilet projects less miserable? also i can almost smell this video from here.

[@stephenkillick5812]

Has the threats of lockdown not messed wit your plans? I know that I cannot get a new passport until the department is issuing them and even then all ports are shut. I heard of one in Hout Bay not far from Cape Town. I see on Craig's List that there are a few smaller boat a that I could probably handle single handedly, or negotiate a crew of 1 to come back to S.A. with me.

[@sharpshooter7220]

time to play battlefield ( i hope you get the reference ) :)

[@arod8596]

You just put aluminum shaving into the fuel thank tho

[@jasperemmer2774]

bogit and legit!

[@simonjames46]

Brave man! You wouldn't catch me sh*ting in a bucket 🤣

[@marisajensen3004]

Love bugs lol

[@vidguy007]

I know it’s too late now but Microseal will fix a small leak in a tank I fixed my water tank that way The plastic tank is a great solution I’m not a believer in composting toilets It seems like an answer but there’s so many questions that are left unanswered Might just as well use a 3 gallon bucket with a lid filled with composting material or kitty litter and pee in a bottle (which is everything a composting toilet is) The dry flush toilet is a far better option Just not ready for prime time yet Composting toilets don’t smell because of that fan that runs all the time Don’t get near the end of that pipe, which is an impossibility on a sail boat ( unless you run a tube up the mast) Leaving the plumbing as it was has it’s advantages Some day the authorities will look at composting toilets snd outlaw them because of the obvious way they deal with liquids, they don’t