Sulphur smell from head

[Tom Madden]

i purchased my 2007 catalina MK II in may 2008 and since that time have only used fresh water (from the sink in the head) to flush the head.  up until two days ago, i have never opened the salt water inlet for flushing the head.  after getting tired of using shower spigot and hose to flush the head, i got the "bright" idea to start using the saltwater inlet to flush the head.  however, the smell of sulphur was so overwhelming and debri so "interesting" that i quickly went back to using the freshwater approach.  i suspect that i have a big build up of marine growth in saltwater inlet hose and plumbing that needs either replaced or thoroughly cleaned.

i was wondering if anyone has had similar experience or suggestions with regards of how to correct my situation.  i'm thinking i should probably replace the intake hose and thoroughly clean the inlet valve, the best i can.  any input is appreciated.  thanks in advance.

[Ron Hill]

Tam : Not too sure how your head water intake on a MK II is plumbed. 
If it were a MKI I'd tell you to shut off the raw water thru hull (to the head and shower drain) off.  Then turn the head lever to "wet bowel".  Turn on the shower sump drain and pour into that drain a 50% Clorox mixture.  Keep pouring until you see that mixture starting to come into the head bowel.  Then shut off the shower drain, let the mixture set an hour or so, then turn the lever to dry bowel and pump out the Clorox water from the head.  Easy as that !!

I'll guess on a MKII -- What you need to do is to remove the hose from the thru hull and put it in a bucket with 50% bleach/water.  Then pump it through the line into the bowl and clean/kill the stuff making the smell.  It's the hose and stagnant salt water that is causing the smell.