A quick update on the project...
I began the project about 4 weeks ago, and things have proceeded nicely. I received the tank from Ronco last week. All in on shipping and customizing it was about $450. They did however fail to provide the fittings (which I paid for!) and they did NOT respond to my request to provide them. I was a bit disappointed with that customer service - but I could not let it stop the progress! I was able to source the fittings at the local plumbing supply house and the Home Depot. One word of suggestion if you order from Ronco - ask them to install the 1 1/2" fitting for the sender unit. Mine was a PIA to install. I used the KUS sending unit that would pair to the OEM Tiara installed gauge.
The tank fit perfectly and as designed. I was so tempted to purchase a slightly larger tank - but so glad that I did not - this was the MAXIMUM size for the cut out space. It will provide a 30 gallon capacity - this will be a bit smaller than OEM, but it will suit my needs. Reality is that 30 gallons of CONTAINED waste is far better than 50 gallons of UNcontained waste!
I replaced ALL of the plumbing lines with new Raritan Sani/Flex Sanitation hose. This was a bit more expensive, but so much easier to work with. The bending radius and flexibility was a real pleasure to work with as opposed to the stiff 1 1/2" sanitation lines. I replaced every sanitation line in the boat! Another PIA, but well worth the time and peace of mind. There was only one hose that was inaccessible - thank you Tiara for pinning one of the lines in an IMPOSSIBLE location to remove. I had to cut and abandon about 4 feet of hose directly under the main head.
I installed the tank below deck and installed "cleats" to hold everything in place and used 2" webbing buckles to keep everything in place. It is solid as a rock and not going anywhere.
I reinstalled the sub floor over the tank. I used 3/4" marine grade plywood. It was impossible to install one LARGE sheet of subfloor, so I had to cut it into 6" xx 24" pieces and insert and secure each piece. I took a bit to get the subfloor "just right" in order to install the finished floor in place without rocking. I used 3M 4200 to adhere the finished floor to the subfloor and ended up using (4) screws to mechanically secure the finished floor to the subfloor. I used teak bung plugs to cover up the screw heads from the mechanical fastening.
The last thing that I will do (not done yet), is to install a bead of caulk around the outside edge of the finished floor to hide and fiberglass chips and to seal the opening FOR EVER!
I hope you have found this useful and feel free to ask any questions. I think the whole project cost me about $1,000 in materials and I would guess about 15-20 hours of time, start to finish.
Cheers!
I began the project about 4 weeks ago, and things have proceeded nicely. I received the tank from Ronco last week. All in on shipping and customizing it was about $450. They did however fail to provide the fittings (which I paid for!) and they did NOT respond to my request to provide them. I was a bit disappointed with that customer service - but I could not let it stop the progress! I was able to source the fittings at the local plumbing supply house and the Home Depot. One word of suggestion if you order from Ronco - ask them to install the 1 1/2" fitting for the sender unit. Mine was a PIA to install. I used the KUS sending unit that would pair to the OEM Tiara installed gauge.
The tank fit perfectly and as designed. I was so tempted to purchase a slightly larger tank - but so glad that I did not - this was the MAXIMUM size for the cut out space. It will provide a 30 gallon capacity - this will be a bit smaller than OEM, but it will suit my needs. Reality is that 30 gallons of CONTAINED waste is far better than 50 gallons of UNcontained waste!
I replaced ALL of the plumbing lines with new Raritan Sani/Flex Sanitation hose. This was a bit more expensive, but so much easier to work with. The bending radius and flexibility was a real pleasure to work with as opposed to the stiff 1 1/2" sanitation lines. I replaced every sanitation line in the boat! Another PIA, but well worth the time and peace of mind. There was only one hose that was inaccessible - thank you Tiara for pinning one of the lines in an IMPOSSIBLE location to remove. I had to cut and abandon about 4 feet of hose directly under the main head.
I installed the tank below deck and installed "cleats" to hold everything in place and used 2" webbing buckles to keep everything in place. It is solid as a rock and not going anywhere.
I reinstalled the sub floor over the tank. I used 3/4" marine grade plywood. It was impossible to install one LARGE sheet of subfloor, so I had to cut it into 6" xx 24" pieces and insert and secure each piece. I took a bit to get the subfloor "just right" in order to install the finished floor in place without rocking. I used 3M 4200 to adhere the finished floor to the subfloor and ended up using (4) screws to mechanically secure the finished floor to the subfloor. I used teak bung plugs to cover up the screw heads from the mechanical fastening.
The last thing that I will do (not done yet), is to install a bead of caulk around the outside edge of the finished floor to hide and fiberglass chips and to seal the opening FOR EVER!
I hope you have found this useful and feel free to ask any questions. I think the whole project cost me about $1,000 in materials and I would guess about 15-20 hours of time, start to finish.
Cheers!
Thumbnail(s)
![[-]](https://www.tiaraownersclub.com/forum/images/netpen-pro/collapse.png)