IP 38 sanitation system

Even with a lot of care cruising this year, we continue to suffer from odors from the plumbing. We have decided that we need to replace the holding tank and related hoses. Since we have already replaced all the hoses except the one to the forward head, we think we know from where our foul smells originate.

Reading the literature from Dometic/Sealand, I learned that any situation that might leave fluids standing in hoses will cause problems. Looking at the factory plumbing diagrams for the IP-38, it is obvious that there will always be fluids in the hose from the forward head. The aft head has a vented loop and the downstream side from the vented loop is higher than the tank.

IP-38 owner, Art Femenella changed his forward head so that it pumps directly overboard (subject to local sensitivities) and that is beginning to make a lot of sense to me. The only time we use the forward head is when we have guests - and maybe that is something to which we will have to adjust.

I'm interested in other opinions/comments.

Thanks, Glen

Glen
We have replaced head hoses 3 times now, they seem to last about 6-7 years until they start to smell. The hoses will always have sewage in them, i do not see a way of preventing that, so do not worry about that. Direct or not direct overboard does not matter, we built ours to have both options since we are bay sailors and coastal, but island i would be direct as there are no pumpout services. Make sure you use the sealand odor safe hose and the dometic/ sealand fittings with no barbs. The old style use to use barbs and this is a source of odors as well. To fit the hoses onto these tight fittings use boiling water and soften the ends also use soap to make it slippery, then you will be able to press the hose onto the pvc fittings. It takes one dat to remove hoses and then one day to replace new. Its not easy, and its a real pain, but when replaced, you will have zero odor. All we smell in the head hose locker now is pvc!
Hayden

Do any of you know how many feet of the hose it will take to replace the IP 38 forward system? also any tips of where to bet start.
thanks
tom

"As the crow flies" it is about 13 or 14 feet so with bends and turns it would have to be less than 20. I was thinking about removing the head and then fastening the new hose to the old with an insert and hose clamps starting forward. Then, I'm guessing that a cut somewhere below the forward cabin would allow me purchase to pull the new hose that far. I'm sure that a combination of pushing, pulling and cursing will allow me to thread it the rest of the way to the holding tank.
That's my current Plan A. Plan B has me hiring someone who does this for a living and knows the tricks of the trade.

Replaced ours and had about 21 feet. Replace the forward head 1st using a wooden plug connecting old to new. Then just pushed and pulled from forward head to the holging tank. Then cut off new hose & used remainder to finish main head hose. Worked pretty well. Silver Sea is a 1987 38IP # 40, and they have changed them through the years - slightly. Our forward head sits up on the starboard side.
Would love to go direct discharge route, not sure where to drill the hole and shut offs.
Best of luck,
George