Epic de-odorizing novella

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Dec 2, 1997
8,944
- - LIttle Rock
Apology accepted...BUT--

I dont think you can get rid of the smells, i think you can just become obsessed by them,

You're wrong on both counts, Al. Odors are clues that something is wrong...occasionally only annoyingly wrong, but more often dangerously wrong. Propane odor means a gas leak somewhere...those rotten egg smells from batteries and sewage are hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, both highly toxic--even lethal in high enough concentration. Oil and diesel odors CAN mean only that you're exceptionally sloppy at checking dipsticks, OR they can indicate leak in the oil or fuel system. And where there are smelly gasses there can also be odorless gasses, like methane and carbon monoxide.

It's not obsessing on odors to use 'em as signals that there's a problem that you need to fix...'cuz just assuming that you just have to accept a certain amount of odor can be VERY hazardous to your health and that of your crew...and the boat's health too. The good news is, eliminating most of 'em is actually pretty easy and usually only requires a lot more effort than expense. Occasionally, there's something that takes some real detective work to find, but it's worth the effort and once found, not that hard to cure.

If you obsess with it too much, you end up selling the boat, then the next owner dosent even notice any smells.

Oh yes he does! I'd guess that more than half the people who are, in your opinion, "obsessing" about odors have just bought a stinky boat and are desperate to fix it! :)

So when you have nothing better to do, you might spend a little time browsing the articles in the Head Mistress forum...it's not just about toilets...and what you can learn about odors, their sources and how to get rid of 'em just might surprise you!
 
Apr 5, 2010
565
Catalina 27- 1984 Grapevine
When we first open our boat and enter, my wife and I zero in on two totally different "odors". She notices diesel, and I would notice sewer. I tightened, tweaked and cleaned the engine compartment and fuel connectors, eliminating her concern. After chasing my tail endlessly and reading about changing hoses, valves, etc. the sewer smell was eliminated by simply changing head treatment, I now use a cheap one from Academy which amazingly works great. I also periodically scour out the bilge to ensure nothing grows in there, however small.
 

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
lifeisgrand -
When pumping out your head before you close the boat for long periods .... do you COMPLETELY empty the bowl?
If so, you eliminate the 'water seal' (think 'U' Bend or 'U trap' that is on all drain lines in a house, etc. that run to 'sewers' or septic systems). The 'valves' in marine toilets arent 'gas tight' and may be retrograde leaking the holding tank gases into the boat .... though the 'dry' head. A bowl containing water will provide such a 'gas seal'.

Next time you do your final 'flush' before leaving the boat, put some fresh water in the bowl .... and see if this doesnt eliminate your 'problem'.

:)
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,944
- - LIttle Rock
I wouldn't leave water in the bowl to evaporate and create rust stains. Unless the tank vent is blocked, pressurizing the system, there's no need for any "gas seal. Replacing the joker valve annually and flushing a quart of fresh water to rinse out the head discharge hose will provide all the "gas seal" needed in a sanitation system.

After chasing my tail endlessly and reading about changing hoses, valves, etc. the sewer smell was eliminated by simply changing head treatment,

Which tells me that your joker valve is in desperate need of replacing. And I'm betting that you also pour your "head treatment" down the toilet, which rinses out the head discharge hose--the main source of your odor.

Head intake odor, or odor escaping through a worn out joker valve will always be strongest IN the head, if not confined to the head. Same is true for a dirty shower sump (when was the last time you cleaned it???).

Odor from permeated hoses will be strongest in the lockers etc that the hoses pass through. Permeated tank discharge hose can mislead you into thinking it's the tank that stinks...but that's highly unlikely unless the tank is leaking.

A wet dirty bilge can make a whole boat smell like a swamp or even a sewer. And the most overlooked source of odor is the chain locker.

Once you've found and removed all the sources of odors, it may also be necessary to eliminate residual odors...see the discussions in the HM forum about a product called PureAyre.

If you still have odors after eliminating all the above sources, there's only one thing left: trapped water below the sole somewhere that's stagnated to become a "primordial soup." There's no cure except to find it and flush it all out...and then fix the problem that allowed water to become trapped.
 
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