I have a bad smell either in the head or the bilge. The boat is in a yard and has been dry for 6 months. On the hook I tried in vane to flush out the head with fresh water. The anti-freeze didn't get the stink out; now I'm working inside on a floor board and even with a stong breeze blowing though
HELP!!!! IT STINKS INSIDE *yks
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Check the archives.
Check out the archives. There have been numerous posts on this subject. I found that pouring a mixture of warm soapy water with a shot of bleach helps clean out the area between the liner and the hull. On the H'31 (same vintage) we would pour this mixture down the ice box, behind the engine and into the area under the v-berth. Then take her out for a sail and let all of the mixture slop around. If your head has a problem with the hoses, then you have a totally different set of problems, but the hull/liner cleaning is often the solution.
Check out the archives. There have been numerous posts on this subject. I found that pouring a mixture of warm soapy water with a shot of bleach helps clean out the area between the liner and the hull. On the H'31 (same vintage) we would pour this mixture down the ice box, behind the engine and into the area under the v-berth. Then take her out for a sail and let all of the mixture slop around. If your head has a problem with the hoses, then you have a totally different set of problems, but the hull/liner cleaning is often the solution.
i agree
my first year i was unsure where the smell was coming from. i too found it very easy to splash some bleach, and some lemon scented mr clean into the bilge, and sail around with it through a few tacks. it worked great, and also removed those tough stains that looked uncleanable down there. over the years it became clean enough for gold fish. but that was not the problem? the odor comes from the surplus gases in the holding tank. they usually leak out during rough passages that pump up the presure in there. you dont have to be a scientist to know whats decaying on all 6 sides of the tank, and its not going to get pumped out, no matter how many times you try. an old timer told me the trick is to fill it up with salt water, and a good septic cleaner, and let the boats natural motion break down the sludge, and kill all the bacteria. i use the same blend that works for the bilge. a week usually works fine. it than has to be pumped out, and reflushed a coule of times. than all you have to do is stay ahead of the game. that does the trick for me... if you have allot of company on the boat every weekend, its probably easier to leave all the windows open, and stay in calm water!
my first year i was unsure where the smell was coming from. i too found it very easy to splash some bleach, and some lemon scented mr clean into the bilge, and sail around with it through a few tacks. it worked great, and also removed those tough stains that looked uncleanable down there. over the years it became clean enough for gold fish. but that was not the problem? the odor comes from the surplus gases in the holding tank. they usually leak out during rough passages that pump up the presure in there. you dont have to be a scientist to know whats decaying on all 6 sides of the tank, and its not going to get pumped out, no matter how many times you try. an old timer told me the trick is to fill it up with salt water, and a good septic cleaner, and let the boats natural motion break down the sludge, and kill all the bacteria. i use the same blend that works for the bilge. a week usually works fine. it than has to be pumped out, and reflushed a coule of times. than all you have to do is stay ahead of the game. that does the trick for me... if you have allot of company on the boat every weekend, its probably easier to leave all the windows open, and stay in calm water!
oh that dreaded stench!
This is a common never ending problem with our older Hunters. Not only does the aluminum tank fuel the odor but the old hoses too!When TJ was ripping out the old tank we noticed the vent was clogged and of course there was a small hole in the underside of the old tank. Now that we thought the offending equipment was off the boat the smell still permeated the interior. The hose was equally as smelly as the rest of the system. Being that we're totally renovating TJ thought if we washed the old hose we could re-use it. NO WAY! After bringing the hose home soaking it in a tall garbage can (clean can)for days it still STINKS! My advice is if you can replace almost the entire system you'll have solved your problem. There is absolutely nothing worse than bad smells in small confined living quarters. Even bleach for an extended period of time will not do the trick.The bilge is different, it can be cleaned and deoderized but anything having to do with waste will not.We're going Lectrasan and new hoses hopefully then all will be right with the world! Best of luck Laurie
This is a common never ending problem with our older Hunters. Not only does the aluminum tank fuel the odor but the old hoses too!When TJ was ripping out the old tank we noticed the vent was clogged and of course there was a small hole in the underside of the old tank. Now that we thought the offending equipment was off the boat the smell still permeated the interior. The hose was equally as smelly as the rest of the system. Being that we're totally renovating TJ thought if we washed the old hose we could re-use it. NO WAY! After bringing the hose home soaking it in a tall garbage can (clean can)for days it still STINKS! My advice is if you can replace almost the entire system you'll have solved your problem. There is absolutely nothing worse than bad smells in small confined living quarters. Even bleach for an extended period of time will not do the trick.The bilge is different, it can be cleaned and deoderized but anything having to do with waste will not.We're going Lectrasan and new hoses hopefully then all will be right with the world! Best of luck Laurie
On the 34
one of the areas that can cause some bad odor- altho not with the same taint head related type- is the area under the dinning table. The starboard list causes water to linger there and build up a musty damp smell. I first drilled drain holes in the side of the bilge- look in the archives for info on this- and be careful drilling holes in the bottm of your boat- always something to be appraoched with caution. Then I rinsed the area as best I could with bleach and water through the hole where the table base is. Not the most accessable but better than nothing.
one of the areas that can cause some bad odor- altho not with the same taint head related type- is the area under the dinning table. The starboard list causes water to linger there and build up a musty damp smell. I first drilled drain holes in the side of the bilge- look in the archives for info on this- and be careful drilling holes in the bottm of your boat- always something to be appraoched with caution. Then I rinsed the area as best I could with bleach and water through the hole where the table base is. Not the most accessable but better than nothing.
Try an Ozone shock a couple of times a year
I went through the same thing when I purchased my 1983 H34. The previous owner was not aware the need for head treatment or that the use of household TP was not correct. Needless to say I replaced the entire head system and it helped considerably with odors (about $500 bucks for everything, inluding tank). However, there was still that ever present boat smell that gets into everything, especially the wall carpet and cushion fabrics. I bought an ozone machine from Quantum Air (now available thru West Marine) and now use it periodically to kill ALL odors on-board for a fair period of time. This Ozone in large concentrations can be toxic to people and corrosive to sythetics so use it sparingly and carefully but it DOES work well. It removed ALL odors from ALL fabrics. You will see that Peggy the Head Mistress poo poos the use of ozone, but used carefully it is VERY VERY effective at killing all mold and odors. I've used it after cooking fish on-board and find that in a couple of hours I come back to a fresh smelling boat!! Email me if you have any questions.... jerry@keto.biz
I went through the same thing when I purchased my 1983 H34. The previous owner was not aware the need for head treatment or that the use of household TP was not correct. Needless to say I replaced the entire head system and it helped considerably with odors (about $500 bucks for everything, inluding tank). However, there was still that ever present boat smell that gets into everything, especially the wall carpet and cushion fabrics. I bought an ozone machine from Quantum Air (now available thru West Marine) and now use it periodically to kill ALL odors on-board for a fair period of time. This Ozone in large concentrations can be toxic to people and corrosive to sythetics so use it sparingly and carefully but it DOES work well. It removed ALL odors from ALL fabrics. You will see that Peggy the Head Mistress poo poos the use of ozone, but used carefully it is VERY VERY effective at killing all mold and odors. I've used it after cooking fish on-board and find that in a couple of hours I come back to a fresh smelling boat!! Email me if you have any questions.... jerry@keto.biz
Where do odors come from?
Well poop stinks right out of the box so making sure the tank vent is open is critical to getting the gas overboard and not inside. Smells from the bilge can be handled by killing the critters that are making the gas so a splash of bleach can work wonders. Just make sure you splash the bleach where the water enters the bilge and to at the pump as disinfecting the pump/sump leaves all the critters "upstream" alive and well to continue there business. Another method for cleaning the holding tank is to pump it 1/2 full and take it for a sail. I personally believe that dumping salt water into the bay is OK so I get her pumped out and then have a pump and dump fest. Pump her 1/2 full, sail around for a few minutes, preferably in choppy seas, then dump the tank overboard. After 3-4 pump-dumps the smell will be gone. You could also do this at the pumpout facility.
Well poop stinks right out of the box so making sure the tank vent is open is critical to getting the gas overboard and not inside. Smells from the bilge can be handled by killing the critters that are making the gas so a splash of bleach can work wonders. Just make sure you splash the bleach where the water enters the bilge and to at the pump as disinfecting the pump/sump leaves all the critters "upstream" alive and well to continue there business. Another method for cleaning the holding tank is to pump it 1/2 full and take it for a sail. I personally believe that dumping salt water into the bay is OK so I get her pumped out and then have a pump and dump fest. Pump her 1/2 full, sail around for a few minutes, preferably in choppy seas, then dump the tank overboard. After 3-4 pump-dumps the smell will be gone. You could also do this at the pumpout facility.
Bill, did you read lonesomedoves post?
Flushing is logical but doesn't work. That's why so many sailors have problems with the stench. Once it's there, there's no forgetaboutit-ing.
Flushing is logical but doesn't work. That's why so many sailors have problems with the stench. Once it's there, there's no forgetaboutit-ing.
Between the Hull and Grid work ....
water collects from the many leaks designed by the hunter engineers. They forgot to put weep holes in the early models so the water stays there and gets ripe. Check the archives, add weep holes, add access holes to get to suspect areas. Plumb the head with PVC and throw the "sanitation" hose ($$$) away
water collects from the many leaks designed by the hunter engineers. They forgot to put weep holes in the early models so the water stays there and gets ripe. Check the archives, add weep holes, add access holes to get to suspect areas. Plumb the head with PVC and throw the "sanitation" hose ($$$) away
3 simple solutions
I used to have a 1983 H34 and it's final years were completely smell free.... 1. Remove the sea hood, clean completely and use a solvent around all of the screw holes. Run a large bead of 5200 over and around all of the screw holes and reset the hood. If you want to do it correct.. remove the headliner in the cabin , drill out all of the screw hulls from above and bolt the Sea hood down with 5200. This will fix the majority of leaks and subsequent musty smell. 2. Add a plastic holding tank under the bow bed, I think I was able to fit a 10 gallon from west Marine without cutting the access hole larger. Run a hose to the toilet and abandon the salt water feed to the toilet. Fresh water toilets do not smell..... 3. Drill some weep holes in the lowest portion of the bilge where it appears that you can drill through the first layer of glass and you will feel it when the drill hits the second skin. (stop drilling at that moment) Take out the fuse for your sump pump. heat the water in your water heater; grab a box of TSP and head out to the ocean. Mix hot water with TSP and fill the hull as high as you can without getting the floor wet. Slosh around in the swells for about an hour. Put the fuse back in, drain it and do it again, When you get back to the slip. run a hose under the engine for about an hour. Find the correct water pressure whereas the water line stays consistant as the pump attempts to keep up......
I used to have a 1983 H34 and it's final years were completely smell free.... 1. Remove the sea hood, clean completely and use a solvent around all of the screw holes. Run a large bead of 5200 over and around all of the screw holes and reset the hood. If you want to do it correct.. remove the headliner in the cabin , drill out all of the screw hulls from above and bolt the Sea hood down with 5200. This will fix the majority of leaks and subsequent musty smell. 2. Add a plastic holding tank under the bow bed, I think I was able to fit a 10 gallon from west Marine without cutting the access hole larger. Run a hose to the toilet and abandon the salt water feed to the toilet. Fresh water toilets do not smell..... 3. Drill some weep holes in the lowest portion of the bilge where it appears that you can drill through the first layer of glass and you will feel it when the drill hits the second skin. (stop drilling at that moment) Take out the fuse for your sump pump. heat the water in your water heater; grab a box of TSP and head out to the ocean. Mix hot water with TSP and fill the hull as high as you can without getting the floor wet. Slosh around in the swells for about an hour. Put the fuse back in, drain it and do it again, When you get back to the slip. run a hose under the engine for about an hour. Find the correct water pressure whereas the water line stays consistant as the pump attempts to keep up......
Full stink attack
Problem with musty smells is that there are plenty of odor resevoirs on you vessel. I.E. Cushions and Teak Plywood to suck it up. So, even if you eliminated the odor source, It may take a long time for the smell to go away. So, I believe that the ozone treatment would work since you are attacking the odors in the places that they linger. Have you checked any leaks around the holding tank. How about the 1.5 inch waste hoses and gate valves -are they shut and discharge is sitting in the hoses and permeating? How about the vent lines - are there any leaks there? Any leaks around the clamps? Hunter has made some bends in the hoses with a pretty tight radius. It may be possible that the hose is cracked around the bend after all the years of stress. Is the hose old? If so, change it out for sure. Good Luck, Guy
Problem with musty smells is that there are plenty of odor resevoirs on you vessel. I.E. Cushions and Teak Plywood to suck it up. So, even if you eliminated the odor source, It may take a long time for the smell to go away. So, I believe that the ozone treatment would work since you are attacking the odors in the places that they linger. Have you checked any leaks around the holding tank. How about the 1.5 inch waste hoses and gate valves -are they shut and discharge is sitting in the hoses and permeating? How about the vent lines - are there any leaks there? Any leaks around the clamps? Hunter has made some bends in the hoses with a pretty tight radius. It may be possible that the hose is cracked around the bend after all the years of stress. Is the hose old? If so, change it out for sure. Good Luck, Guy
HELP!!!! IT STINKS INSIDE
Thanks for all of your suggestions. What is TSP??? Launch date May 22 and I'll try some before and some after launch. I'll let you know my results.
Thanks for all of your suggestions. What is TSP??? Launch date May 22 and I'll try some before and some after launch. I'll let you know my results.
Only Way! 
Help It Stinks! Lots of great advice here. But this is how I solved the stink on our 87 Hunter 31. First start with a bottle of Captain Morgan and a 12 pack of Corona for back up. Then from West Marine or your local Marine supplier pickup about 40 foot of SeaLand OdorSafe Head Hose. And all new "Y" valves and in-line connectors. Hose clamps, 2 for each connection. 2. A good hack saw, with new blade. 3. A real good heat gun for bending the hose around some of the most rediculous curves I have ever encountered. Darn you guys at Hunter! 4. A pair of pliers, screw driver, or nut drivers of various sizes along with a very sharp knife. (Not for your throat) 5. Dishwashing soap to make the hose slip on the fittings easier. 6. One tube of Marine Sealant for the deck fitting. 7. A real good Helper. 8. A good long weekend perferably with lots of sunshine. Lots and lots of sailor words, that your wife, children or girl friend need not hear. All in all, that should about do it. Worked for us 3 years ago and the boat doesn't smell. Although am thinking of putting in an Ozone Machine sometime in the future. Respectfully, Smelling Good on the Mississippi
Help It Stinks! Lots of great advice here. But this is how I solved the stink on our 87 Hunter 31. First start with a bottle of Captain Morgan and a 12 pack of Corona for back up. Then from West Marine or your local Marine supplier pickup about 40 foot of SeaLand OdorSafe Head Hose. And all new "Y" valves and in-line connectors. Hose clamps, 2 for each connection. 2. A good hack saw, with new blade. 3. A real good heat gun for bending the hose around some of the most rediculous curves I have ever encountered. Darn you guys at Hunter! 4. A pair of pliers, screw driver, or nut drivers of various sizes along with a very sharp knife. (Not for your throat) 5. Dishwashing soap to make the hose slip on the fittings easier. 6. One tube of Marine Sealant for the deck fitting. 7. A real good Helper. 8. A good long weekend perferably with lots of sunshine. Lots and lots of sailor words, that your wife, children or girl friend need not hear. All in all, that should about do it. Worked for us 3 years ago and the boat doesn't smell. Although am thinking of putting in an Ozone Machine sometime in the future. Respectfully, Smelling Good on the Mississippi
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