OK, Peggy, I will rule out a leak in the tank, and I will also rule out the hoses as they are Sealand (and I know, eventually, Sealand can cause permeation, however, my boat is not even 1 year old). The only thing I can think of is a backed up tank vent (hence my earlier response to Rick D.). Yes, I WILL be ordering your book for further reference, as the head has become the most important part of our boat.
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Prob'ly not the vent...
...unless the vent line has permeated. If the odor is pervasive throughout the boat, 1. check the hoses. Not all SeaLand hose is created equal...if it doesn't safe "odorsafe" on it, the odds are actually quite good that it's permeated, even in just a few months. What's more, even if "odorsafeplus" is on it, the Odorsafe hose made in the last two years is NOT the same hose as the original Odorsafe...not nearly as a resistant to odor permeation. 2. Clean your bilge, especially any areas that your icebox and/or shower drain into. Find any areas where water below the sole can get trapped and stagnate..clean 'em out, even if you have to create access to do it. 3. Clean any sumps. If that doesn't get rid of the odor, get back to me.
...unless the vent line has permeated. If the odor is pervasive throughout the boat, 1. check the hoses. Not all SeaLand hose is created equal...if it doesn't safe "odorsafe" on it, the odds are actually quite good that it's permeated, even in just a few months. What's more, even if "odorsafeplus" is on it, the Odorsafe hose made in the last two years is NOT the same hose as the original Odorsafe...not nearly as a resistant to odor permeation. 2. Clean your bilge, especially any areas that your icebox and/or shower drain into. Find any areas where water below the sole can get trapped and stagnate..clean 'em out, even if you have to create access to do it. 3. Clean any sumps. If that doesn't get rid of the odor, get back to me.
Tim, I also have a boat (H33) that is about 1 year old with an odor. I have ruled out head, holding tank, etc. I believe the source is the saltwater that drips from the stuffing box, which would work its way to the forward bilge area (where the bilge pump is, in the keel bolt area). However, the fluid has to take a circuitous route, in that it flows UNDER the 'engine pan', then AROUND the thru-hull area, on its way to the aforementioned bilge area. That water never shows up in the 'engine pan' area or the centrally located 'thru-hull' area. I have to assume that the area under the 'engine pan' and/or either side of the 'thru hull area' there are high and low areas in which the salt water would stand, and ultimately result in the foul odor when the critters in the salt water die. I have flushed this incaccessbile area (tried to push a small rag ty-rapped to a fish tape, but not enough clearance between the hull and liner) with vinager, and now I don't have the foul odor, but rather a smell of vinager. I am thinking of now flushing with some stuff that divers use to clean/odorize their wetsuits, that has bacteria or enzymes (not sure which). The point is, that salt water is sitting down there and getting foul as the critters die, which smells alot like a head problem. I may ultimately just flush with clear water (about a quart did it with the vinager solution) Hope this helps Michael
Tim, sounds like a power washer is the answer
for you too...it's the only way you're ever gonna get detergent and water, or anything else, into the inaccessible areas.
for you too...it's the only way you're ever gonna get detergent and water, or anything else, into the inaccessible areas.
Discontinue Saltwater Flushing
Tim - you might also take a shot at shutting off your saltwater intake (assuming you are in saltwater?) to the head. We had smells on our new boat and finally (with Peggie's help) traced it down to the use of the saltwater flushing. Turns out that the saltwater and all the stuff that hangs out in it starts to smell foul when left in the rim of the bowl for a week. Once we stopped using outside water (we just use the handheld shower hose to squirt a small amount of flush water in the bowl) our smells disappeared. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Tim - you might also take a shot at shutting off your saltwater intake (assuming you are in saltwater?) to the head. We had smells on our new boat and finally (with Peggie's help) traced it down to the use of the saltwater flushing. Turns out that the saltwater and all the stuff that hangs out in it starts to smell foul when left in the rim of the bowl for a week. Once we stopped using outside water (we just use the handheld shower hose to squirt a small amount of flush water in the bowl) our smells disappeared. Good Luck! Tim Brogan April IV C350 #68 Seattle
Thanks for the advice...
I actually sail on the Great Lakes and salt water is not an issue. I WILL be ordering Peggy's book here shortly. Also, the odor is only present when someone uses the head. After a short time the smell dissipates, BUT the issue is VERY prominent to my wife, and I am trying to find some kind of solution where everyone can be happy. Personally, I don't think there is a problem, but there is definitely a smell after using the head although, mechanically, everything seems to be in order. Thanks again.
I actually sail on the Great Lakes and salt water is not an issue. I WILL be ordering Peggy's book here shortly. Also, the odor is only present when someone uses the head. After a short time the smell dissipates, BUT the issue is VERY prominent to my wife, and I am trying to find some kind of solution where everyone can be happy. Personally, I don't think there is a problem, but there is definitely a smell after using the head although, mechanically, everything seems to be in order. Thanks again.
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