Boat Smell Cure???

[John T1594]

I saw an infomercial on a boating TV show the other day. It was for a product that claims to get rid of all boat smells - mold, mildew, diesel, etc.
The product is a chemical that emits chlorine dioxide gas which, they claim, will disinfect and purge the boat of all smells. They have a 24 hr shock treatment and units that can be used for 30 or 90 day maintenace or storage. The stuff is pricey but sounds appealing. They claim that chlorine dioxide is not toxic and heavier than air and will work its way into lockers and bilge.
Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this one??

https://buyproaction.com/Pro_Active.html

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Saw the same marketing and it's just that. CL dioxide will effectively eliminate some odors, not the source(s) of them. Also, it will often destroy lots of both natural and synthetic products common on boats while doing so. Under some theoretical conditions, it can arguably also create toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons far worse than any offensive odor.

In other words, it is a band aid, not a cure. Find and eliminate the odor source rather than trying to continually mask it which is all this product does.

 

[Marco Garcia]

Best way to get rid of boat smells has been in my case to clean all accessible panels and areas under the floors and behind cabinets and under berth compartments with simple green. Wear a respirator while cleaning, ... vent the boat a couple of days after that, and no more smells.