www.iFourWinns.com

Just replaced mine over the weekend.
I can't take the credit for this, but real easy to do, saved 100$

Step 1
Purchase a Sealand "SaniGuard" holding tank vent filter or re-use your existing one. Install in line with the holding tank making sure that the filter is mounted above the vent hose exit from the holding tank. use for one season then empty and recharge

Step 2
At the end of the season, or whenever you desire or need to change the filter, remove it from your boat (easy, only 2 clips). Remove the label on the main tube (body) of the filter. With a hack saw, or band saw cut the tube approx. 1 1/2" in from the cap of the filter. don't try to remove the original cap, it is glued on.

Step 3
Empty the contents of the filter into the trash, but be responsible when disposing of the used charcoal.
Clean the filter tube and the 2 pieces of foam within the tube with soapy water and let dry. Save the the 2 pieces of foam within the the filter for later use

Step 4
At your local hardware or DIY home centre, purchase a male and female junction that fits the outside diameter of the filter tube. If you don't have it already, purchase a can of PVC prpimer (acetone will suffice) and a can of PVC glue. Glue the male and female fittings to the cut ends of the tube. Insert the clean foam pieces into the ends of the 2 pieces of the filter hosing.

Step 5
At your local pet store, purchase a bag of activated charcoal used for aquarium filters. fill the long section of the tube with the activated charcoal. screw the short section onto the long section and replace the filter in the vent hose. You should have enough activated charcoal in a small bag to last you a few years.

Step 6
When you feel its time to replace the filter, just remove and take apart, dump the old charcoal out and replace it with new activated charcoal, now your saving money on maintenance, its a good feeling

Step 7
Enjoy the fresh smell, and no more embarasing odours to explain to your guests

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Funtastik
Gatineau, Qc. Canada
2000 298 Vista
http://village.photos/members/Funtastik/Funtastik

FYI...

I have a "Big Orange" filter as started by an entrepreneur located in Ontario - Canada.

It is very easy to install and maintain (change charcoal filter).

Check out the link below:

http://bigorangefilter.com

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Clayton
2005 - 378 Vista
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Great tip!

I have to do something with my system... Does anyone know if my boat was setup with a filter at the factory?

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

My 348 came with the Sealand filter. I changed the filter and replaced it with Big Orange that I purchased at Toronto boat show. If you can attach a hose to a house then you can change your filter! I purchased an extra bag of Big Orange charcoal and should be good for another three years as it appears the filter (charcoal) is good for a couple years before needing replacement and unlike the Sealand, the Big Orange housing is reusable highly recommended.

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Ernie Follis
It'll Do II
Four Winns 348 (2005)

Unfortunatly our 268's do not have a filter and routing of the vent line makes it near impossible to add one. We use a little bleach in our gray water tank and a good amount of treatment in the holding tank to keep the smells away

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Our Boating Blog: http://ben-dana.blogspot.com/

2005 268 Vista "Sea Pickle II"
1979 AMF Alcort Puffer
Previous:
2003 FW190 Horizon
1973 Startcraft 18ft "Sea Pickle"

Thanks for the info on this. I was thinking about adding a filter, so thanks Bliss for saving me a ton of time trying to figure it out!

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Jon

2001 268 Vista w/arch
2017 GMC 1500 Denali

X2

Thanks for the heads up!

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

I originally put a big orange filter in my 248. The vent line was behind the closet. Not too hard to do and week worth it. There s nothing worse than smelling the vent. From the holding tank

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

IIRC, my vent line was in the wall behind the head. My fresh and black water tanks were below the aft cabin and it would have been fairly easy to add on my 268. It may depend how they fitted your boat with tanks, if you have a generator or not. Mine had a generator.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

After suffering the embarrassment of smelly flushes for too long, I fabricated a vent filter for my 268 this weekend. There are plenty of DIY filter fabrication instructions on the web, so I will skip that.

I installed it inside the closet. It stands upright in the front right corner. I simply cut the vent line in the shower bilge pump and routed it to the bottom of the filter. You have to notch out the access panel for the hose to pass thru. The top of the filter is routed to the thru hull fitting by drilling a 3/4" hole in the top, right corner in the back of the closet. You can access the vent line by removing the starboard side ceiling panel in aft quarters and route it through your new 3/4" hole to the filter. At this time, I simply have Velcro securing the filter to the corner in the closet.

I considered just mounting it on top of the tank, but I was afraid it would get saturated. I ruled out putting it against the hull behind the closet. It would be too hard to access for maintenance.

You will not believe the improvement this makes, absolutely no smell.

Very nice! Where is your holding tank located - in the engine room or below the aft cabin?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Holding tank is located in aft cabin, starboard side.

I did this to my Vista about 3 years ago and it works just as good as a new one. This is where I got the idea and it has pics: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/84 ... ter-w-pics

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY