Hi, We have Hunter 386 2004. After a few months of usage we noticed a bad smell coming from the back port side of the aft room where the electric transfo is. It seems to come from the holding tank. I haven't found any leaks, put anti-odor/cleasing products down the toilet without any success. Has anybody else had this problem ? Thanks, Carl
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Odor on starboard of 356
At the end of the season, after a two month trip, we noticed a smell similar to yours. It was evident in the aft berth of our 2003 Hunter 356. We tried various smell well products without success. There were no apparent leaks anywhere. We made certain that the vent was open both with wire and a backflush. I cleaned as thoroughly as possible the tank and rear compartment. We were not able to determine the source or cause. Since we had completed our trip with the mast down and decided not to put it back up for the fall, we cleaned out the holding tank. Since the boat is only two seasons old and the season is short, it seems unlikely that the hoses are the source of the smell. We did disable the mascerator by removing the hose connection as required for sailing on Lake Champlain. I reconnected that hose after our return, but it made no difference. The only other thing I can think of is that we had some kind of chemical change from mixing two different tank treatments that caused the smell to appear. I hope someone has an answer for you. Good Luck.
At the end of the season, after a two month trip, we noticed a smell similar to yours. It was evident in the aft berth of our 2003 Hunter 356. We tried various smell well products without success. There were no apparent leaks anywhere. We made certain that the vent was open both with wire and a backflush. I cleaned as thoroughly as possible the tank and rear compartment. We were not able to determine the source or cause. Since we had completed our trip with the mast down and decided not to put it back up for the fall, we cleaned out the holding tank. Since the boat is only two seasons old and the season is short, it seems unlikely that the hoses are the source of the smell. We did disable the mascerator by removing the hose connection as required for sailing on Lake Champlain. I reconnected that hose after our return, but it made no difference. The only other thing I can think of is that we had some kind of chemical change from mixing two different tank treatments that caused the smell to appear. I hope someone has an answer for you. Good Luck.
Tank isn't the source...
The holding tank, unless it's leaking, cannot be the source of odor INSIDE the boat...'cuz unless the tank is leaking, odor from inside the tank has only one place to go: out the tank vent. So trying to cure an odor inside the boat by trying to eliminate odor in the tank is just chasing your tail. Permeated sanitation hoses are the most likely culprit...and since the odor is confined to the tank area, my money is on the tank discharge hose and the tank vent line...though I wouldn't rule out the head discharge hose without testing it. There's no predicting how long it can take for hoses to permeate...some never do...some go years...or it can happen in as little as a month or two. Other possible sources of odor inside the boat: a wet dirty bilge--especially if the icebox or ac condensate drains into the bilge....a dirty sump...stagnant water trapped below the sole in a compartment that can't drain. The link below should help you find and solve the problem.
The holding tank, unless it's leaking, cannot be the source of odor INSIDE the boat...'cuz unless the tank is leaking, odor from inside the tank has only one place to go: out the tank vent. So trying to cure an odor inside the boat by trying to eliminate odor in the tank is just chasing your tail. Permeated sanitation hoses are the most likely culprit...and since the odor is confined to the tank area, my money is on the tank discharge hose and the tank vent line...though I wouldn't rule out the head discharge hose without testing it. There's no predicting how long it can take for hoses to permeate...some never do...some go years...or it can happen in as little as a month or two. Other possible sources of odor inside the boat: a wet dirty bilge--especially if the icebox or ac condensate drains into the bilge....a dirty sump...stagnant water trapped below the sole in a compartment that can't drain. The link below should help you find and solve the problem.
Similar problem
I had a similar problemm years ago on my 28 Oday. It turned out to be a tiny dead mouse who somehow managed to get on board. I damn near tore half the boat apart with a flashlight until I found him in the farthest corner of the boat. Check under mattress too. Hey, you never know!
I had a similar problemm years ago on my 28 Oday. It turned out to be a tiny dead mouse who somehow managed to get on board. I damn near tore half the boat apart with a flashlight until I found him in the farthest corner of the boat. Check under mattress too. Hey, you never know!
H356 Odor
I have a 2003 H356. Within the first season we had odor in the boat. Some times in the saloon and quite often in the berth area, realized as starboard side. We have been looking for leaks. Did not find any. The odor occurs mainly for the first flushes after the boat has been unused for some days. During the holiday periodes, with daily use, there is no smell. I have not yet gotten rid of it, but I am quite convinced that it comes from the ventilation. On the 356, the ventilation is located very close to the cockpit, and as the gass is heavier than air, it could very well flow down into the saloon or through the window over the berth. I will move the outlet outside of the hull, and also increase the size of the ventilation hose to get more oxygen in the holding tank (according to Peggie).
I have a 2003 H356. Within the first season we had odor in the boat. Some times in the saloon and quite often in the berth area, realized as starboard side. We have been looking for leaks. Did not find any. The odor occurs mainly for the first flushes after the boat has been unused for some days. During the holiday periodes, with daily use, there is no smell. I have not yet gotten rid of it, but I am quite convinced that it comes from the ventilation. On the 356, the ventilation is located very close to the cockpit, and as the gass is heavier than air, it could very well flow down into the saloon or through the window over the berth. I will move the outlet outside of the hull, and also increase the size of the ventilation hose to get more oxygen in the holding tank (according to Peggie).
Different source
I have the same problem in my ' 05 H36 (356) THAT odor comes from the raw water pickup hose. The warm water sits in the hose from lack of use and gets funky. It's enough to abandon ship! Once you flush a few times the fresher water "cleans" out the old and the odor goes away.
I have the same problem in my ' 05 H36 (356) THAT odor comes from the raw water pickup hose. The warm water sits in the hose from lack of use and gets funky. It's enough to abandon ship! Once you flush a few times the fresher water "cleans" out the old and the odor goes away.
Perhaps another source...
.... is under the flooring in the port side vanity. The shower is plumbed to the sump pump, but, the drain in the vanity exits directly to the area under the floor, and may not drain to the bilge....any water may simply get hung up between the stringers. Also, the hose from the shower drain to the sump has a low spot in it as it tries to go up and over a stringer, so, there will always be a bit of water in the hose... perhaps a source of odor as well. I would think some of this odor (if it is the source) could travel under the flooring toward the port side aft. Good luck... Jeff
.... is under the flooring in the port side vanity. The shower is plumbed to the sump pump, but, the drain in the vanity exits directly to the area under the floor, and may not drain to the bilge....any water may simply get hung up between the stringers. Also, the hose from the shower drain to the sump has a low spot in it as it tries to go up and over a stringer, so, there will always be a bit of water in the hose... perhaps a source of odor as well. I would think some of this odor (if it is the source) could travel under the flooring toward the port side aft. Good luck... Jeff
Clean, Clean, Clean
All the previous posts have hit on one aspect of odor. You can control most odors by making sure the boat is clean after every use. Clean the refrigerator/freezer right down to the bottom; clean the bilges, including the shower sump, keep them dry when you leave the boat, and leave no standing water anywhere; pump out the holding often and BACK FLUSH the vent with each pump out.
All the previous posts have hit on one aspect of odor. You can control most odors by making sure the boat is clean after every use. Clean the refrigerator/freezer right down to the bottom; clean the bilges, including the shower sump, keep them dry when you leave the boat, and leave no standing water anywhere; pump out the holding often and BACK FLUSH the vent with each pump out.
Raw Water Pickup: Vote #2
Carl, I had the same problem with my H380 that Jack mentioned. After the first few flushes, the line would clear enough to be bearable. Over time, the smell permeates the hose and you have to replace it. My solution was to add an in-line valve near the seacock. Before we leave, we close the seacock, open the value, and pump the remaining water out so the line is dry. That solved "that" smell problem. Mildew was our other smell problem in the aft cabin. Cleaning, occasionally airing it out (pulling up all the mattresses and opening the hatches) and now using a dehumidifier in the winter has helped. -David s/v Mollie Jean
Carl, I had the same problem with my H380 that Jack mentioned. After the first few flushes, the line would clear enough to be bearable. Over time, the smell permeates the hose and you have to replace it. My solution was to add an in-line valve near the seacock. Before we leave, we close the seacock, open the value, and pump the remaining water out so the line is dry. That solved "that" smell problem. Mildew was our other smell problem in the aft cabin. Cleaning, occasionally airing it out (pulling up all the mattresses and opening the hatches) and now using a dehumidifier in the winter has helped. -David s/v Mollie Jean
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