Smelly cabin

[Frank Nowak]

I am new to this forum and to our 1982 H-27. Can anyone help solve our smelly cabin problem? The head overflowed one day (due to not pumping it out?) I think it backed up through the joker valve into the head. Anyhow, after cleaning everything up and spraying bleach solution on sole and in bilge, it was OK. The next day and henceforth, there has been a rank smell in the cabin no matter what cleaners I use. I even sprayed the cushions with Fabreeze. After reading some of the forms, I suspect there is residule sewage in the hidden bilge areas. Then again, the boat is new to us and maybe it was always like this. When first opening the hatch to go below, the smell is strong and we open everything up to air out and spray the bleach solution around and its ok for a while then comes back. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Dick Carey]

Frank,There are a few possible causes and solutions.1. There may have been some sewage effulent that went thru some 'limber holes' from the main bilge sections into the 'spaces between the hull and the pan in the bilge area. You would have to try to flush it out with water and bilge cleaner into the main bilge compartments and let it flow thru limber holes. Then pump out the bilge completely and dry it.2. To get air flow the cabin, I added a Nicro 2000 Day/Night Solar/Battery powered vent to the Veeberth hatch set on exhaust. Sun runs fan during the day and charges the battery. At night the battery runs the fan. It goes 24/7, even under the winter shrink wrap. To let air in , I cut a slot in the topmost 'pin board' in the companionway. Then I put in a louvered vent and added some fiberglas screening behind it to keep critters out. This significantly reduced 'boat smell'.Dick CareyS/V PuffinH-33.5

 

[mike]

K.O. check the archive

hopefully peggy will respond to you problem. i had a similer proplem due to p.o. two years of sitting with full bladder. i think that K.O. will be the answerregards,mike

 

[David Foster]

Clean, clean, clean, rinse, rinse, rinse!

Dick is on the right track. basicly, you will need to clean (that means fresh water and detergent, and whatever brush or rag you can use) everywhere between the liner and the hull the the sewage from your toilet could possibly have flowed. A power spray may help you get at any places that are impossible for the brushes.This will be hard because there is not much room between the liner and the hull, and there are some real tricky corners, and dead ends, especially under the head. But you have to clean out every remant of your spill.Don't bother with disinfectant, or bleach. They will just add to the soup, wherever it is stinking.Once it's clean, rinse it thoroughly, empty the bilge, then clean and rinse again. Repeat until you are sure its clean. DavidLady Lillie

 

[Debra B]

may need to replace hoses

If the hoses have been left standing with waste in them, they may need to be replaced - no way to get rid of the smell once the hoses are affected except to replace themSee the "Head Mistress" forum and archives for more information.

 

[Jay Kent]

I think a combination of several previous ideas

iw what I would do. First of all, I would fill the entire bilge with white vinegar (this includes the hidden areas). Then, I would use a small (one gallon) wet/dry shop vac to suck out all the vinegar water. The hose with no attachments will fit into the drain holes down into the hidden bilge on the H-27. I would repeat that method two times. This should loosen any debris and allow it all to be cleaned out, properly. Then, I would flush with clean water and suck it dry with the shop vac again. After this is done, I would leave the sole open for the next few days or a week to allow it all to thoroughly dry out. I might suggest that you put a fan or two on the floor of the bilge and let them run while you are away. Then, I would look into replacing all the hoses due to the possible permeation into the cabin area. Having replaced all of them on my H-27, I can't even explain the difference that this made, when I used the white, proper hoses!Good luck!