I have a 25 O'Day, everytime we leave it for a few days on the mooring when we open the hatch we are greeted with a nasty sewer smell. I have tightened all hoses and connections to no avail. Just before leaving I ad the blue stuff to the tank and when I come back its always the same stink. The tank is located under the bow which is right where we sleep (used to sleep) we now sleep in the pull out. I now leave the two side hatches slightly open which I dont like to do, this seems to help a little until they are closed. The tank is emptied regularly but nothing seems to help. The boat was built in 1981 could it possibly be that the hoses are deteriorating?? A little help on the stink would be appreciated.
Stinky boat sewer smell
- Thread starter ridesroadking1
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^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^ :+1:
Read the book. Replace the hoses. Don't buy cheap hoses. Be sure to clear the waste hose before putting the boat to bed at night.
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You might want to replace the toilet, too. I did and it made a difference. The only thing I haven't replaced is the tank, and I would if I didn't have to cut a larger hole in the platform under the berth. Don't expect overnight success. This was a problem that I dismissed too easily when purchasing the boat. It took several years to get rid of the smell and there is still an odor in the enclosed space where the tank resides. The first thing we did was throw away all cushions and start new. The smell permeates just about everythng. Make sure your vent is effective. Mine was plugged so badly when we bought the boat that a hand-operated pump-out wouldn't even work. The fitting had to be replaced because it was impossible to clear it.
I wouldn't buy a boat with this odor, knowing what I know now.
I wouldn't buy a boat with this odor, knowing what I know now.
In addition to the above.....keep a plastic can of Clorox Wipes in the head. Wipe the toilet down every day. (you use the boat)
It's a "system" and when all parts are working, it's good....when something is not right, they cycle is broken and you have problems.
Sounds like you have at least 2 problems....
1. A leak somewhere....bad clamp, permeated hoses, crack in the head....hoses original from 1981?? Oh yeah....replace the sanitation hose at a minimum. (hose from head to tank) Joker valve could be bad.
2. Bio system fault in the tank. You only need to add the chems once, at empty and prime with some water (a gallon or so) to get it going. Then, as long as it's vented properly, the system should break down waste.
It's a "system" and when all parts are working, it's good....when something is not right, they cycle is broken and you have problems.
Sounds like you have at least 2 problems....
1. A leak somewhere....bad clamp, permeated hoses, crack in the head....hoses original from 1981?? Oh yeah....replace the sanitation hose at a minimum. (hose from head to tank) Joker valve could be bad.
2. Bio system fault in the tank. You only need to add the chems once, at empty and prime with some water (a gallon or so) to get it going. Then, as long as it's vented properly, the system should break down waste.
Not one person who's replied has given you good advice
How many times have I said it: unless a tank is leaking it cannot be the source of odor INSIDE a boat...'cuz odor from inside the tank has only one place to go--out the tank vent. So everyone who's told you what to do the tank obviously hasn't been paying any attention to anything I've ever said
The toilet isn't the source of your odor either...if it were, the odor would be confined to the head.
The most common sources of odor inside the boat are permeated sanitation hoses and/or wet dirty bilges and/or sumps...they can make a whole boat smell like a swamp or even a sewer. The solution: clean 'em. But do NOT use bleach!
This subject has been addressed at least a dozen times in the Head Mistress forum...you'll find the causes and cures if you spend some time there. You might also consider checking out the link in my signature.
Advice that the rest of you might consider taking too.
How many times have I said it: unless a tank is leaking it cannot be the source of odor INSIDE a boat...'cuz odor from inside the tank has only one place to go--out the tank vent. So everyone who's told you what to do the tank obviously hasn't been paying any attention to anything I've ever said
The toilet isn't the source of your odor either...if it were, the odor would be confined to the head.
The most common sources of odor inside the boat are permeated sanitation hoses and/or wet dirty bilges and/or sumps...they can make a whole boat smell like a swamp or even a sewer. The solution: clean 'em. But do NOT use bleach!
This subject has been addressed at least a dozen times in the Head Mistress forum...you'll find the causes and cures if you spend some time there. You might also consider checking out the link in my signature.
Advice that the rest of you might consider taking too.
Been there,done that with my 32 cause the PO left the boat on a mooring and I bought it in Oct and the tank wasn't empty so that told me why the boat had smell issues after we started using it while bringing it home so after dumping the holding tank I filled it with water and lots of Clorox for a month before winterizing and bought Peggy's book and got educated about hoses,vents,sea water and joker valves then after replacing all hoses and re plumbing so the sink now drains into the head with the flip of a ball valve and the number one issue that gets over looked is make sure the toilet is flushed well before leaving the boat so that there's no waste sitting between toilet and tank
I have since replaced the old holding tank with a much larger one and I clean the toilet with a product called CP that works well
I have since replaced the old holding tank with a much larger one and I clean the toilet with a product called CP that works well
I solved the problem by removing the head, tank and all hoses and tossing them into the trash. I then dried out and re-glassed the hull under the tank that had rotted from water standing in it for I don't know how long.
It will all be replaced with a porta-pottie if needed. Last season I just used a plastic jug. But then again, I'm not out in the ocean or have a female on board.
It will all be replaced with a porta-pottie if needed. Last season I just used a plastic jug. But then again, I'm not out in the ocean or have a female on board.
Once the smell permeates surfaces outside the tank, it's not easily rid. Our boat had probably 10 years of toilet abuse, and was left with the contents inside the tank with a plugged vent for the 2 years that it sat on the hard before we purchased. After replacing all upholstery immediately, I tried cleaning surfaces for 2 years with not very much success ... granted, I have a sensitive nose. I bought Peggy's book and followed all advise. Finally, after pulling the head out and leaving it in the driveway for a few days, you could smell odor from 10' so you can't tell me that the toilet won't smell even if it is cleaned properly. It was a virtually gleaming, brand new-looking head when I removed it, even though it was original to the boat, but it smelled incredibly bad. But it is true that the hoses were the worst offenders. It was not an easy job to replace the hoses, epecially during the summer months and I never want to have to go thru this exercise again!
Besides that, nobody has ever done #2 in our boat in 8 years and because all our sailing is day sailing we pee while on the boat very infrequently. I flush the tank often with fresh water from the lake repeatedly and pump out often just to try to eliminate all trace of odor. The interior of the tank still stinks to high heaven even though it is vented properly and hasn't had anything but fresh water in it (pumped out frequently) for the past 6 years and the exterior of the plastic tank also has an odor. The odor WILL saturate the tank walls to the exterior and I believe it is virtually impossible to eliminate once that happens. Even the fiberglass has odor, but much of it is too remote for me to reach while cleaning, not that the cleaning really eliminates the odor once it permeates the material.
I also agree that bilge odor is also difficult to deal with. With enough water dripping from the packing gland, and rainwater entering from the mast, it was virtually impossible to dry out the bilge. Finally, with PSS system, we no longer have water leaking at the shaft, but I can't do anything about the rainforest conditions that we have in New Jersey. I swear, the Pacific Northwest is a desert compared to our climate. The PO was not clean about oil and diesel either and it was a battle to clean the bilge to the point where an oil slick doesn't form while pumping bilge water. It is really difficult to get to all the nooks and crannys while cleaning the bilge and the unfinished edges of fiberglass construction is hell on your hands and fingers!
These are the significant things that I will be looking at when looking for my next boat, believe me!
Besides that, nobody has ever done #2 in our boat in 8 years and because all our sailing is day sailing we pee while on the boat very infrequently. I flush the tank often with fresh water from the lake repeatedly and pump out often just to try to eliminate all trace of odor. The interior of the tank still stinks to high heaven even though it is vented properly and hasn't had anything but fresh water in it (pumped out frequently) for the past 6 years and the exterior of the plastic tank also has an odor. The odor WILL saturate the tank walls to the exterior and I believe it is virtually impossible to eliminate once that happens. Even the fiberglass has odor, but much of it is too remote for me to reach while cleaning, not that the cleaning really eliminates the odor once it permeates the material.
I also agree that bilge odor is also difficult to deal with. With enough water dripping from the packing gland, and rainwater entering from the mast, it was virtually impossible to dry out the bilge. Finally, with PSS system, we no longer have water leaking at the shaft, but I can't do anything about the rainforest conditions that we have in New Jersey. I swear, the Pacific Northwest is a desert compared to our climate. The PO was not clean about oil and diesel either and it was a battle to clean the bilge to the point where an oil slick doesn't form while pumping bilge water. It is really difficult to get to all the nooks and crannys while cleaning the bilge and the unfinished edges of fiberglass construction is hell on your hands and fingers!
These are the significant things that I will be looking at when looking for my next boat, believe me!
Damn Scott....sounds like you had an absolute nightmare!
Mine wasn't that bad. I was victimized with a full tank and leaky head pump, but I was able to get it pumped and cleaned out. I replaced my sanitation hose and that thing was a bear to work with. I got a new head for just $50 more than a rebuild kit for my old one, and installed a new fresh water line for good measure. The vent was good.
Got the system restarted using Thetford blue stuff. I have absolutely zero odors. Waste breaks down well. Everytime I've pumped the tank there has been little to no solid matter. I know it's kinda gross but the pump out station has a little glass window tube at the nozzle so you can see the waste go up the hose....but it's important to see the quality and makeup of the waste you're producing so you know the health of the system.
Mine wasn't that bad. I was victimized with a full tank and leaky head pump, but I was able to get it pumped and cleaned out. I replaced my sanitation hose and that thing was a bear to work with. I got a new head for just $50 more than a rebuild kit for my old one, and installed a new fresh water line for good measure. The vent was good.
Got the system restarted using Thetford blue stuff. I have absolutely zero odors. Waste breaks down well. Everytime I've pumped the tank there has been little to no solid matter. I know it's kinda gross but the pump out station has a little glass window tube at the nozzle so you can see the waste go up the hose....but it's important to see the quality and makeup of the waste you're producing so you know the health of the system.
I should emphasize that the PO was a clean housekeeper for the most part. The interior of the boat was very clean, all the wood interior was/is in beautiful condition, except that the teak & holly floor was pretty badly scuffed-up. The upholstery didn't look bad, it just smelled really bad. All the galley surfaces were clean and well kept and the bathroom and vanity areas were very clean, as well as the head liner. I think they just did a very bad job at managing the holding tank because they let the vent clog and they also let the bilge go dirty.
I think the worst part is that they left the holding tank full while the boat sat on the hard for a few years. It had full contents and had to be pumped before we took delivery. I absolutely underestimated / dismissed the problem of dealing with odors. I'll never make that mistake again, because, despite what Peggy says, I think that the odors permeate all materials inside and out and you can't rid it easily.
I also can't emphasize enough that we barely even use the head in our boat, so any smell can't possibly be from current usage. I am repeatedly pumping out freshwater lake water and that's about it. I can tell the difference between the odor that came with the boat and anything that Lake Hopatcong can dish out and it ain't Lake Hopatcong water that is offensive!
I think the worst part is that they left the holding tank full while the boat sat on the hard for a few years. It had full contents and had to be pumped before we took delivery. I absolutely underestimated / dismissed the problem of dealing with odors. I'll never make that mistake again, because, despite what Peggy says, I think that the odors permeate all materials inside and out and you can't rid it easily.
I also can't emphasize enough that we barely even use the head in our boat, so any smell can't possibly be from current usage. I am repeatedly pumping out freshwater lake water and that's about it. I can tell the difference between the odor that came with the boat and anything that Lake Hopatcong can dish out and it ain't Lake Hopatcong water that is offensive!
I wasn't aware that sea water propogated anymore biological growth than freshwater. It is more corrosive around metal, I agree, but I'd like to see some kind of verification that biological, funky smells like sea water more than fresh.
You know Joe....I can't speak directly to a marine head....but I will say this about sea water on my scuba gear and wetsuits.....it's FUNKY!!! No issues with fresh water at all....but all the little plankton critters in sea water get into the cells of the neoprene and die....and after a couple days diving my stuff is outright RANK.
I use a product called "Sink the Stink" and it has some little enzymes in it that eat up the critters....plus some soap I guess to make it smell better. Just fill a tub with water, squirt in STS, soak gear for a bit, drain (do not rinse) and let dry.
Smells so good and fresh......
So, with that said, I can see a difference between using sea water and fresh water in a marine head...it "sounds" reasonable, but without actually testing or experiencing it myself I just can't say....but I bet plenty of others can!
I use a product called "Sink the Stink" and it has some little enzymes in it that eat up the critters....plus some soap I guess to make it smell better. Just fill a tub with water, squirt in STS, soak gear for a bit, drain (do not rinse) and let dry.
Smells so good and fresh......
So, with that said, I can see a difference between using sea water and fresh water in a marine head...it "sounds" reasonable, but without actually testing or experiencing it myself I just can't say....but I bet plenty of others can!
Get new hoses and sprinkle lemon scented pet odor eating powder in the tank compartment. It took 6 wks on mine, but it worked. Stop using the blue stuff - that stinks. Keep the tank empty as much as possible. When pumping out flush it generously with fresh or clean salt water
I'll try the pet odor powder under the berth. You know, Joe ... if I had my boat on the Hudson or even the Chesapeake, I think I would install a freshwater tank just for the purpose of flushing the head with clean, fresh water. It just doesn't make sense to me to flush the toilet with water that is probably worse than what Sue or I deposit into it!
My general rule of thumb is that if I can tread water and see my feet, I'm ok with it. If I put my hand in water and can't see it, I'm not.
My general rule of thumb is that if I can tread water and see my feet, I'm ok with it. If I put my hand in water and can't see it, I'm not.
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