I have a 40.5 and up until this week it had no foul odors of any kind. This weekend, upon opening the cabinate under the galley sink, the stench nearly knocked me out! A dead fish or rotton veggie type of smell. Now I did have the same smell from some open raw clams in the freezer compartment the previous week and I assume this problem now is from that source. I believe that the source of the odor is the pan area under the floor where the sink drain seacock is located. Does anyone know what drains into that area? I had about 1/2" of liquid in there. I have put some Marykate #109 (?) bilge cleaner into that area, but no improvement yet. Does anyone know where the refer drains into? Got to solve this problem or get noseplugs.... Rich
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Just adding bilge cleaner to the primordial soup
won't help...it just makes the soup soapy. You're gonna have to really clean the sump (pan, whatever it is) to get rid of the odor. Use a strong solution of detergent and water, followed by a thorough rinse. Don't bother with bleach...unless you use enough to sink your boat, you'll just have whiter brighter bacteria that'll start stinking again in about 24 hours. Once you get it cleaned out, you can keep it clean with C.P. (bio-enzymatic bowl, sump and drain cleaner, available from the online store here)...but you'll still have to rinse out occasionally.
won't help...it just makes the soup soapy. You're gonna have to really clean the sump (pan, whatever it is) to get rid of the odor. Use a strong solution of detergent and water, followed by a thorough rinse. Don't bother with bleach...unless you use enough to sink your boat, you'll just have whiter brighter bacteria that'll start stinking again in about 24 hours. Once you get it cleaned out, you can keep it clean with C.P. (bio-enzymatic bowl, sump and drain cleaner, available from the online store here)...but you'll still have to rinse out occasionally.
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VC
flows into bilge
The fridge flows into the freezer and that flows into the bilge. The bilge always has some standing water in it. Pump some fresh water into all the compartments, especially the aft areas that dont get good draining and it should help.
The fridge flows into the freezer and that flows into the bilge. The bilge always has some standing water in it. Pump some fresh water into all the compartments, especially the aft areas that dont get good draining and it should help.
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Tim Schaaf
separate sump?
Why not install a separate sump for the freezer and/ or the shower? Keeping a dry bilge is a big help to prevent blisters....and a dry bilge would eliminate all the stuff flowing around when the boat is heeled.
Why not install a separate sump for the freezer and/ or the shower? Keeping a dry bilge is a big help to prevent blisters....and a dry bilge would eliminate all the stuff flowing around when the boat is heeled.
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Andy Falls
Vinegar?
You might want Peggy's input on this, but I would wipe down the area with white vinegar. The smell will kill you for a ffew minutes but it will take away the foul smell. Also a hint from Heloise, leave an open box of baking soda in the icebox to soak up the odors
You might want Peggy's input on this, but I would wipe down the area with white vinegar. The smell will kill you for a ffew minutes but it will take away the foul smell. Also a hint from Heloise, leave an open box of baking soda in the icebox to soak up the odors
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Vinegar won't work in this case, Andy
It'll knock down the odor temporarily, but it'll just become so diluted as the ice box continues to drain into the bilge that he'd prob'ly have to add a quart a week. C.P. will do more than vinegar...but the area has to be cleaned and then kept clean to get rid of the odor permanently. And once the bilge is clean, I strongly second the suggestion to install a sump.
It'll knock down the odor temporarily, but it'll just become so diluted as the ice box continues to drain into the bilge that he'd prob'ly have to add a quart a week. C.P. will do more than vinegar...but the area has to be cleaned and then kept clean to get rid of the odor permanently. And once the bilge is clean, I strongly second the suggestion to install a sump.
Start with a cleanup.
Rich: Start with a cleanup of bleach and water. I used about a half a gallon of bleach in 1/5-2 gallons of water. Pour this in your icebox and let it drain into the same area that has the odor. Let it sit there for several hours or overnite if possible. Then you rinse it out with fresh water and take her out for a sail. This will get rid of the mal odor. Then you should either connect the drain on the ice box to the bilge or put in a seperate sump with a pump. I would try running a single hose from the ice box drain to the bilge/sump if possible. This is just one of those things that you have to put up with when the mfg uses a grid to strengthen the hull.
Rich: Start with a cleanup of bleach and water. I used about a half a gallon of bleach in 1/5-2 gallons of water. Pour this in your icebox and let it drain into the same area that has the odor. Let it sit there for several hours or overnite if possible. Then you rinse it out with fresh water and take her out for a sail. This will get rid of the mal odor. Then you should either connect the drain on the ice box to the bilge or put in a seperate sump with a pump. I would try running a single hose from the ice box drain to the bilge/sump if possible. This is just one of those things that you have to put up with when the mfg uses a grid to strengthen the hull.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Bleach alone will NOT get rid of the odor...
At least, not for very long. Any "bug killing" properties in chlorine evaporate within about 24 hours, leaving only highly corrosive properties behind to slosh around in the bilge...meanwhile, more water draining from the ice box dilutes it and starts the odor-causing critters growing all over again. Furthermore, bleach doesn't clean anything...it only kills a few bugs, and bleaches the dark slime--molds, fungi, etc--and dirt out to LOOK clean. Try using only bleach--no detergent--to wash clothes or dishes or try to clean a sink or bathtub with only bleach and water, and it will quickly become obvious that bleach is NOT a cleaning product...it's little more than a highly corrosive whitener/brightener. And, with the possible exception of 3M 5200, it's the most over-used, misused product on a boat. The dealer lied when he told you today's boats are free of back-breaking maintenance. Fiberglass boats don't require the continual sanding, recaulking and replanking that wooden boats do, but but that's all that's changed. Fiberglass bilges get just as dirty as wooden bilges, and there are no miracle products that entirely replace good ol' fashioned soap, water, elbow grease and sweat...there never will be.Ya gotta completely REMOVE the source of any odor to get rid of the odor completely, and detergent, water, elbow grease and sweat are the ONLY things that are gonna completely remove the source.
At least, not for very long. Any "bug killing" properties in chlorine evaporate within about 24 hours, leaving only highly corrosive properties behind to slosh around in the bilge...meanwhile, more water draining from the ice box dilutes it and starts the odor-causing critters growing all over again. Furthermore, bleach doesn't clean anything...it only kills a few bugs, and bleaches the dark slime--molds, fungi, etc--and dirt out to LOOK clean. Try using only bleach--no detergent--to wash clothes or dishes or try to clean a sink or bathtub with only bleach and water, and it will quickly become obvious that bleach is NOT a cleaning product...it's little more than a highly corrosive whitener/brightener. And, with the possible exception of 3M 5200, it's the most over-used, misused product on a boat. The dealer lied when he told you today's boats are free of back-breaking maintenance. Fiberglass boats don't require the continual sanding, recaulking and replanking that wooden boats do, but but that's all that's changed. Fiberglass bilges get just as dirty as wooden bilges, and there are no miracle products that entirely replace good ol' fashioned soap, water, elbow grease and sweat...there never will be.Ya gotta completely REMOVE the source of any odor to get rid of the odor completely, and detergent, water, elbow grease and sweat are the ONLY things that are gonna completely remove the source.
Peggy!
Peggy: With all due respect. The Hunter sailboats that were produced from about 1983 on have a grid system in them that tends to trap water. This grid is "generally" unaccessible unless the owner is will to either cut many inspection ports in the Teak/Holly floor or completely remove the floor (if possible). Consequently there is no practical way to get into the grid system to "scrub it out". The problems that the Hunter owners refer to with these ice box drains is partly to blame on Hunter for not putting the drain hoses "in the blige". If they would have extended the hose to the bilge then the ice box would not drain into the grid. Basically this in not just a matter of keeping our bilge clean (that fairly easy). It is a matter of de-oderizing the grid. The bleach water is going to kill the organisms that are trapped in the grid and hopefully when he takes the boat out sailing the fresh water that is trapped beneath the floor will drain out. If you have a better idea on how to tackle this problem we would LOVE to hear about it. We have always respected your thoughts on these matters and I just want to clear up the problem that we have with the grid system.
Peggy: With all due respect. The Hunter sailboats that were produced from about 1983 on have a grid system in them that tends to trap water. This grid is "generally" unaccessible unless the owner is will to either cut many inspection ports in the Teak/Holly floor or completely remove the floor (if possible). Consequently there is no practical way to get into the grid system to "scrub it out". The problems that the Hunter owners refer to with these ice box drains is partly to blame on Hunter for not putting the drain hoses "in the blige". If they would have extended the hose to the bilge then the ice box would not drain into the grid. Basically this in not just a matter of keeping our bilge clean (that fairly easy). It is a matter of de-oderizing the grid. The bleach water is going to kill the organisms that are trapped in the grid and hopefully when he takes the boat out sailing the fresh water that is trapped beneath the floor will drain out. If you have a better idea on how to tackle this problem we would LOVE to hear about it. We have always respected your thoughts on these matters and I just want to clear up the problem that we have with the grid system.
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Sometimes the only answer is an
owner-installed hatch or two to create accessibility. Just because the boat builder didn't include 'em doesn't make the lack of hatches sacrosanct. No, it's not necessarily easy and could be a bit pricy by some people's standards...but it can be the best option in the long run. Whether that's an option or not, whatever drains into the grid has be able to drain out or water would rise over the cabin sole in time. And if water can drain out of the grid, detergent and water can get in and be drained out. A good blasting from an acessible part of the bilge with a power washer may be the only option. But however the problem is solved, it's gonna take some real work and maybe some expense, but it needs to be solved...'cuz just living with the "primordial soup" and occasionally pouring bleach into it is NOT an acceptable option. Dark wet areas that aren't tended to and dried out lead to rot and other problems that are a lot worse than odor.
owner-installed hatch or two to create accessibility. Just because the boat builder didn't include 'em doesn't make the lack of hatches sacrosanct. No, it's not necessarily easy and could be a bit pricy by some people's standards...but it can be the best option in the long run. Whether that's an option or not, whatever drains into the grid has be able to drain out or water would rise over the cabin sole in time. And if water can drain out of the grid, detergent and water can get in and be drained out. A good blasting from an acessible part of the bilge with a power washer may be the only option. But however the problem is solved, it's gonna take some real work and maybe some expense, but it needs to be solved...'cuz just living with the "primordial soup" and occasionally pouring bleach into it is NOT an acceptable option. Dark wet areas that aren't tended to and dried out lead to rot and other problems that are a lot worse than odor.
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Rich Stidger
Thanks to all
I appreciate everyone's input. This weekend I am going to determine exactly where the refer is draining. I am also going to pump out and mop up as best I can the under-floor area that seems to be the source of odor. I plan on using a hose and fresh water to rinse out and then pump out that area as best I can. Then I will put in a 1/2" of water and some CP to try to deodorize and clean the area. If that doesn't do the job, then I will try other cleaners as well. I suspect that to pull up the floor is a big job, but if that is possible with a dozen screws or so, I will do that so I can completely clean out the area. Longer term, I guess I will route the refer drain to my lowest bilge that is relatively easy to clean. Rich
I appreciate everyone's input. This weekend I am going to determine exactly where the refer is draining. I am also going to pump out and mop up as best I can the under-floor area that seems to be the source of odor. I plan on using a hose and fresh water to rinse out and then pump out that area as best I can. Then I will put in a 1/2" of water and some CP to try to deodorize and clean the area. If that doesn't do the job, then I will try other cleaners as well. I suspect that to pull up the floor is a big job, but if that is possible with a dozen screws or so, I will do that so I can completely clean out the area. Longer term, I guess I will route the refer drain to my lowest bilge that is relatively easy to clean. Rich
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Rich Stidger
Happiness is a clean bilge
This is a follow-up to the refer drain problem on my 40.5. This weekend I discovered that I could remove the floor panel that houses the sink drain seacock and had collected the water from my refer drain. I cleaned it out with Softscrub w/bleach and then with CP. I discovered that the drain hose from the refer was mis-routed and allowed the drainage to pour into this grid compartment. See the photo forum post for additional details. Rich
This is a follow-up to the refer drain problem on my 40.5. This weekend I discovered that I could remove the floor panel that houses the sink drain seacock and had collected the water from my refer drain. I cleaned it out with Softscrub w/bleach and then with CP. I discovered that the drain hose from the refer was mis-routed and allowed the drainage to pour into this grid compartment. See the photo forum post for additional details. Rich
Rich, you're luck
Rich: You're lucky to have access to these hidden compartments. The old generations with the grid system, did NOT have the luxury of haveing removable sole panels. The screwed/bolted the cabinets over the sole. I would put a cable tie on that hose just so it never has a chance to do that again. I'm glad to see your problem was so easy to resolve. Good photos too!
Rich: You're lucky to have access to these hidden compartments. The old generations with the grid system, did NOT have the luxury of haveing removable sole panels. The screwed/bolted the cabinets over the sole. I would put a cable tie on that hose just so it never has a chance to do that again. I'm glad to see your problem was so easy to resolve. Good photos too!
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