I realize smells are a chronic challenge. I just took delivery of a 1980 ODay 37. Love the boat so far – but – there is a smell down below that I’d like some advice on getting rid of. I is not in the wood or cushions but rather in all of the compartments. Every hatch I lift (regardless of where on the boat) has a foul smell that I would say is not specific to the head but more like a bad bilge. What I find odd is that it is EVERYWHERE. I saw some advice on using tide and some other cleaners. I am starting to think that I need to work my way from the stern to the bow and just clear out, scrub and rinse every compartment – this is going to take for ever to complete. Is there any sequence that anyone would suggest – i.e., where to start and what are the top 3 or 4 areas that cause trouble? Thanks, Steve.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
B
bruce cornell
D
dale Comeau
Molded Liner
I have recently redone my Oday 30 from stem to stern and did come across a lot of great hiding places for scum from the years. The floor is a molded one piece design and in the galley and the head, under/behind cupboards there are "wells" or pockets if you will that are part of the mold. In my case these pockets could hold a liter or so of scumy water and dirt. I cleaned them out and then drilled a 3/8 hole in the bottom most corner for drainage to the bilge. Also note that when I tore out the galley, the counter top areas that were inaccessible to clean due to construction, overlaps, etc, were absolutely disgusting. Goo Gone is an awesome cleaner.
I have recently redone my Oday 30 from stem to stern and did come across a lot of great hiding places for scum from the years. The floor is a molded one piece design and in the galley and the head, under/behind cupboards there are "wells" or pockets if you will that are part of the mold. In my case these pockets could hold a liter or so of scumy water and dirt. I cleaned them out and then drilled a 3/8 hole in the bottom most corner for drainage to the bilge. Also note that when I tore out the galley, the counter top areas that were inaccessible to clean due to construction, overlaps, etc, were absolutely disgusting. Goo Gone is an awesome cleaner.
T
TDC
water lines
I cleaned my Oday 25 from bow to stern w/o getting rid of bad odor. I then changed my water lines (they were disgusting) and my drain lines (even worse) and this got rid of the smell. TDC
I cleaned my Oday 25 from bow to stern w/o getting rid of bad odor. I then changed my water lines (they were disgusting) and my drain lines (even worse) and this got rid of the smell. TDC
Accessabiltiy
Steve, I have had a similar problem on my O'day 35. Replacing the sanitation hoses helped a lot. You can check them to see if the odors have permeated the hoses before you decide whether or not this job needs to be tackled. (Also replaced the vent hoses for the holding tank, as they had permeated as well.) In spite of this, there is still a low grade odor that is evident, especially when accessing any storage area that opens into the hold areas underneath the settees and berths. Like some of the other responders have mentioned, there are places where water can accumulate and stand, like under one of the settees where there is no weep hole into the bilge. However, I also believe that there are some area that are not accessible without cutting some fiberglass due to the molded floor upon which the holly teak sole is glued. In my boat, the one area where the odor seems to be worse is in and underneath the mid-ship hanging locker. There are weepholes there, but I don't think they go directly to the bilge. I haven't figured out how to get to it, but ideas include dumping a gallon of bilge cleaner in the bottom of the locker, and hope that it gets to the bilge and/or clean out the offending odor source on the way. The other idea is to use some KO, which works great to eliminate odors when you can spray the surface directly. However, I have my doubts when I don't know where it's going. My last resort will be to use a hole saw and cut a bigger drain in the bottom of the locker in hopes that it will open it up enough to see what happening under there, and maybe allow cleaning and treatment. Sorry I didn't offer a solution. Hope you find one and pass it on if you do. Ed Ryan
Steve, I have had a similar problem on my O'day 35. Replacing the sanitation hoses helped a lot. You can check them to see if the odors have permeated the hoses before you decide whether or not this job needs to be tackled. (Also replaced the vent hoses for the holding tank, as they had permeated as well.) In spite of this, there is still a low grade odor that is evident, especially when accessing any storage area that opens into the hold areas underneath the settees and berths. Like some of the other responders have mentioned, there are places where water can accumulate and stand, like under one of the settees where there is no weep hole into the bilge. However, I also believe that there are some area that are not accessible without cutting some fiberglass due to the molded floor upon which the holly teak sole is glued. In my boat, the one area where the odor seems to be worse is in and underneath the mid-ship hanging locker. There are weepholes there, but I don't think they go directly to the bilge. I haven't figured out how to get to it, but ideas include dumping a gallon of bilge cleaner in the bottom of the locker, and hope that it gets to the bilge and/or clean out the offending odor source on the way. The other idea is to use some KO, which works great to eliminate odors when you can spray the surface directly. However, I have my doubts when I don't know where it's going. My last resort will be to use a hole saw and cut a bigger drain in the bottom of the locker in hopes that it will open it up enough to see what happening under there, and maybe allow cleaning and treatment. Sorry I didn't offer a solution. Hope you find one and pass it on if you do. Ed Ryan
J
jim lubinsky
stinky stuff
Recently replaced head on my 272 Oday and in process removed the wood platform on which it sets. Underneath had much goop and stinky stuff. Scraped and bleached. Old head was leaking and this area apparently constantly wet. Smells a bit better now but still odor in cavity where holding tank located and under settees, so those are next to be cleaned. Removing the head was actually quite easy too. Took longer to clean out the mess there. Jim
Recently replaced head on my 272 Oday and in process removed the wood platform on which it sets. Underneath had much goop and stinky stuff. Scraped and bleached. Old head was leaking and this area apparently constantly wet. Smells a bit better now but still odor in cavity where holding tank located and under settees, so those are next to be cleaned. Removing the head was actually quite easy too. Took longer to clean out the mess there. Jim
- Status
- Not open for further replies.