smell problem

[Rick]

Our Hunter 31 was not used much for the last three years. It has a strong smell below. Some is from the holding tank which overflowed and other is just old smell.Can anyone suggest what to do to get rid of this smell?We have washed several times and even used clorox/water mixture but the smell stays.thanksrickrahill@mediaone.net

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Read "Boat Odor is NOT All in Your Head"

in the Head Mistress forum Reference Library (on the forum home page). It identifies the sources of B.O. (boat odors) and how to cure them.

 

[Rod]

Odor

The 31' had a Y-valve under the front berth and a hand pump. The pump Rot's out and let's brown water escape out it, along with the odor. If your fresh water eliminate it. Ocean going replace.

 

[Tim Leighton]

ODOR

Rick: Do EVERYTHING Peggy Hall says! Her advice is the best around....trust me. One thing I've done in addition: As a wedding present a few years ago, a relative (who is in the business) gave us a home ozone machine. Placed in the kitchen it zaps all bad odors. I take it aboard our '31 every spring, crank it up and leave it running for about 6 hours. If I've done a good job of eliminating the source of odor (bilge, head, holding tank, etc.), the ozone machine kills any/all left over unwelcome smells. Now, a couple of negatives. First, I found out the darn machines are EXPENSIVE. Mine would have been over $250. Second, ozone will play havoc with electrical wiring if allowed to run for a long time. I'm not sure why, but that is what an electrical engineer buddy of mine says. That is why I simply run the machine for a few hours which seems to kill remaining over-winter odors. Good luck!Tim L. (S/V "TIDE")Odor-Free on the Chesapeake!

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Tim, ozone plays havoc with wiring because...

Ozone is HIGHLY corrosive. It's also highly destructive to rubber, neoprene, and flexible pvc--iow, all the seals, valves and hoses on a boat. Using it as you do--just to get rid of winter mustiness--is ok, but an ozone generator should never be used for extended periods or repeatedly on any boat. It's not a substitute for finding and removing the sources of ongoing odors.

 

[John Nantz]

Ozone apparently carcinogenic

Besides the previously mentioned negatives with regard to Ozone, it’s apparently carcinogenic also. Some of the chemical effects of Ozone include effects similar to UV radiation. It’s been stated that it’ll cause the varnish and fiberglass on the inside of the boat to oxidize similar to that on the outside which exposed to sunlight. Ozone is also hard on foam cushions.Having read all the previous posters, and knowing what I do about precautions, I bought an Ozone generator to help fight mold and mildew. I’ve run mine on a timer for a few hours per day for few days at a time every so often but I’m apparently not running it enough to keep the mildew at bay, probably because of all the concerns.To minimize health problems, when going below I hold my breath and open the hatches then come back out until things have had time to air out.

 

[Steve Dion]

Read this: Change your hoses!

Rick:If you have not read everything that has been posted about changing your hoses on your boat you are not aware.We changed out the hoses about 10 years ago and we still do NOT have any odor. We used the best stuff we could find at West Marine at the time and have not had any problems with hoses since. Have had problems with the head itself and replaced it. You will also read about sucking up sea water for the rinse. When these little critters grow in the raw water intake they will also smell. My advice is to follow the direction from the Head Mistress and then procede from there.

 

[Mark]

Is ozone machine same as ionizer??

I have managed to eliminate most, if not all new odor sources. A bit of a musty odor remains, I suspect from within cushions and/or carpet on bulkhead. I have contemplated a 12-volt ionizer from sharper image made for autos. Would this be the same as the ozone machines discussed in this posting.