Acrid vinagar-y odor

[RonRelyea]

I've got a Acrid, Vinegar-y Odor emanating from under starboard seats in the saloon of my Hunter Vision 32. I don't think it is from the head ... I've also got a definite head odor coming from under the sink, which is a different odor and a separate problem.

The area under the seats had dripping trails of light brown goo, which I've cleaned up but the odor persists.

Does anyone have any thoughts of what might be causing this and how to remedy??

Thanks!

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

questions:

How old is the boat?

Do your sanitation hoses pass through the starboard settees? If so, are the hoses original? If white hoses, are they still WHITE, or slightly tan?

Which sink has the sewer odor under it--galley sink or head sink? If galley sink, where does your ice box drain into?

 

[RonRelyea]

Re: questions:

Hi Peggie ... the boat is a 1990 .... I am the third owner and got it one month ago. It looks like at least some of the hoses have been replaced but not sure if All have. They are still white. It is the head sink with the sewer odor. Ice box drains into the bilge, which I have drained, dried and cleaned. I'm contemplating a complete plumbing replacement ... there currently is no vented loop between sea water intake and the electric flusher. No vented loop between toilet and holding tank (do you recommend this?). the line from the macerator is not semi-kinked.
I know I need to see if my tank vent pipe is clogged.

However the odor under the seats is different than the sewer type odor under the head sink. Head odor is sewer-ish and the saloon seat odor is more acrid and hints of vinegar ... (P.S. I ordered your book this morning) ....

Also, are you still "down on" the idea of composting toilets such as Nature's Head???

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Wellll...

First, there shouldn't necessarily BE a vented loop in the head intake line...if there were, it would most likely have to be an electric solenoid valve. If the toilet only flushes into the tank, none is needed in the head discharge line.

And as for composting toilets...IMO they're more hassle than they're worth and cost a LOT more than much better solutions...but it's your boat and your money, so if you want one it's ok with me.

Now...about your problems. Without actually being able to smell your boat for myself, I'm forced to rely on experience and whatever psychic ability I may have... and IMO, your sharp sour/vinegar odor is most likely permeated sanitation hoses. But if they're still very white, I don't think the brown goo is coming from the hoses...I'm more inclined to think that something stored in that locker leaked on 'em. The only cure is new hoses. A product called PureAyre is the cure for the odor left behind.

The sewer odor under the sink could also be permeated hose...but I'm more inclined to suspect a leaking connection. Or maybe a sump in desperate need of cleaning.

If you want to brainstorm a bit, send me an email and I'll reply with contact info.

 

[RonRelyea]

Re: Wellll...

Peggie, thanks for the quick responses ... I'm going to try replacing the hoses ... looking at them last night, some were a little brownish ... and then I'll try the PureAyre!