Am interested in purchasing a Hunter 34. Seems to have a strong, very strong musty, mildew smell. What suggestions are out there to tackle this foul odor problem. Love the boat, hate the smell. The boat is in the water, could odor be coming from bilge area or another hidden compartment known to 34's? Input greatly appreciated prior to making purchase. Thanks for assistance w/ this one.
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Ron Dague
Check the Archives
There is a fair amount of info in the archives, including the photo's, about bilge areas that won't drain properly on the h34 (and many other boats!). So yes, it is very possible foul water or ???? is down in a bilge area. This also could have cause rot/damage to the sole, in that the floor was not sealed on the bottom on the h34. I'd be concerned about over all maintenance on the boat, if the bilges have been allowed to have stagnant, stale water in them. You can access much of the bilges through opening, and some of the floor should be able to be carefully pried up, say in the forward cabin. I'd go cautiously!
There is a fair amount of info in the archives, including the photo's, about bilge areas that won't drain properly on the h34 (and many other boats!). So yes, it is very possible foul water or ???? is down in a bilge area. This also could have cause rot/damage to the sole, in that the floor was not sealed on the bottom on the h34. I'd be concerned about over all maintenance on the boat, if the bilges have been allowed to have stagnant, stale water in them. You can access much of the bilges through opening, and some of the floor should be able to be carefully pried up, say in the forward cabin. I'd go cautiously!
plus
holding tank and hoses. If you read the articles by the Head Mistress you will discover a lot about the odors on a boat. If you have seawater comming in for flushing the head there are critters in the water that grow and die in the intake line and the holding tank. Rons point is good that the grid in these boats hold water that tends to get molding and stale. You also need to see if there is water comming in from the packing gland that is also leading under the liner behind the engine pan. There are lots of posts on the H31/H34 and all of these models with a grid system. Check out the bilge and see how clean or dirty it is.
holding tank and hoses. If you read the articles by the Head Mistress you will discover a lot about the odors on a boat. If you have seawater comming in for flushing the head there are critters in the water that grow and die in the intake line and the holding tank. Rons point is good that the grid in these boats hold water that tends to get molding and stale. You also need to see if there is water comming in from the packing gland that is also leading under the liner behind the engine pan. There are lots of posts on the H31/H34 and all of these models with a grid system. Check out the bilge and see how clean or dirty it is.
S
Steve O.
smelly boat
Once the odor of mold and mildew and/or diesel fuel gets in a boat, the cushions and fabric liner will tend to absorb and hold the odor in. Cleaning and deodorizing will help. Check the archives for info about this subject.
Once the odor of mold and mildew and/or diesel fuel gets in a boat, the cushions and fabric liner will tend to absorb and hold the odor in. Cleaning and deodorizing will help. Check the archives for info about this subject.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
You've already gotten good advice
However, it's unlikely that the bilge is the source of moldy "mildewy" odors...foul stagnant water trapped in bilges smells like a swamp or a even a sewer. It's more likely that either humidty or a topside or deck leak (ports, rail stanchions) has allowed moisture to get into soft goods or inside lockers. Make any offer "subject to survey" and hire the best surveyor you can find. A good surveyor will find it, and is likely to save you more money by finding other problems the boat may have than the survey will cost. Check the archives for for discussions about the value of having a boat surveyed.
However, it's unlikely that the bilge is the source of moldy "mildewy" odors...foul stagnant water trapped in bilges smells like a swamp or a even a sewer. It's more likely that either humidty or a topside or deck leak (ports, rail stanchions) has allowed moisture to get into soft goods or inside lockers. Make any offer "subject to survey" and hire the best surveyor you can find. A good surveyor will find it, and is likely to save you more money by finding other problems the boat may have than the survey will cost. Check the archives for for discussions about the value of having a boat surveyed.
J
Jerry
I had the same problem on an H-31'
I know first hand what you are talking about! When you open the gang way after the boat has been locked up for a few days, the smell almost drops you. We almost put our boat up for sale because of the very foul ordors comming from below the floor. I changed all of the head tubing and scrubbed everything on top, but still we had the ordors. At the recomendation of several on this site, we un-plugged the sump pump and filled the areas below the floors with water and BC and went for a sail. After a few hours of this, we drained the water and did it again until the water draining from below the floor was clear. Then we used another bio cleaner and flushed it again. We must have had something growing below the floor for it is gone (for now). I just put my boat back in the water this Wednesday and I will again fill the bildge again with BC and rinse this weekend to start the season off right. Good luck.
I know first hand what you are talking about! When you open the gang way after the boat has been locked up for a few days, the smell almost drops you. We almost put our boat up for sale because of the very foul ordors comming from below the floor. I changed all of the head tubing and scrubbed everything on top, but still we had the ordors. At the recomendation of several on this site, we un-plugged the sump pump and filled the areas below the floors with water and BC and went for a sail. After a few hours of this, we drained the water and did it again until the water draining from below the floor was clear. Then we used another bio cleaner and flushed it again. We must have had something growing below the floor for it is gone (for now). I just put my boat back in the water this Wednesday and I will again fill the bildge again with BC and rinse this weekend to start the season off right. Good luck.
J
jacob
charcoal
open a small bag of plain charcoal and place this in your boat while not sailing ....this takes time to work but is a great idea.......
open a small bag of plain charcoal and place this in your boat while not sailing ....this takes time to work but is a great idea.......
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