I am new to sailing and boat ownership so bare with me. When I bought my boat it had an odor that I thought I could get rid of, but I don't seem to be able to. The odor permeates everything, books, clothing, skin it is really a pain. :-( The former owner let it get swamped once from what I found out and there was some mold. I have sprayed the holds with bathroom mold killer and that seems to have removed the visible mold. But she still stinks. I am thinking about pulling everything out of the boat and going in with a Clorox sprayer and do a 1 to 5 mixture and spray everything but the wood then rinse it with water. Is this a good or bad idea, anyone have any better ideas?
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As often and for as long as you can, open the boat up. Take all the cushions out and put them on deck for at least one day, longer if you can. You may want to wash the covers.
H
Hale
Taking Paul's suggestion another step. A friend of mine dunked ALL of his interior cushions in a swimming pool. (Guess the chlorine did the work) He then dried them in the bath with a dehumidifier. Took out all the odor! Good luck!!
R
Ray Bowles
Is there any chance the odor is the holding tank?
Jim, I know too well the odor from mold and basic rot associated with salt water immersion. I also have found that many owners have chased suspected mold issues when the offender was actually sewage odors that escaped from the hoses running from the head to the holding tank and the associated exit lines. This smell permeates everywhere and is usually found in boats that have sat with poop in the lines along with concentrated salt water and its little organisms. This might be the problem, or it might not, but I think you might be well served to check it out. The basics of this problem is well addressed on this site under the expert forum. Hope this helps, Ray
Jim, I know too well the odor from mold and basic rot associated with salt water immersion. I also have found that many owners have chased suspected mold issues when the offender was actually sewage odors that escaped from the hoses running from the head to the holding tank and the associated exit lines. This smell permeates everywhere and is usually found in boats that have sat with poop in the lines along with concentrated salt water and its little organisms. This might be the problem, or it might not, but I think you might be well served to check it out. The basics of this problem is well addressed on this site under the expert forum. Hope this helps, Ray
Good ideas
Good ideas have been posted already. I'll echo them and also recommend that you keep your bilge as dry and clean as you can. Salt water is loaded with micro organisms. When the water is stagnant, they die and rot, and they really stink. This odor can permeate the whole boat. It can smell nearly as bad as the holding tank. After each time I use the boat, I pump the bilge out, then add a splash or two of bilge cleaner. This keeps the bilge cleaner and fresher, and knocks down the odor. I'll also recommend that your boat be ventilated as much as possible, particularly when you are away from it, and it's "closed up." On my 27, I have two Nicro Day/Night solar powered vent fans that run 24/7 (both run in the exhaust mode). During real hot weather, I also "pop" one or more of the deck hatches to allow extra air to flow. One last thing: I have found that wiping down the fiberglass surfaces occasionally with a mild cleaner (409, Fantastic, etc.) keeps things real clean and fresh smelling, too. Randy
Good ideas have been posted already. I'll echo them and also recommend that you keep your bilge as dry and clean as you can. Salt water is loaded with micro organisms. When the water is stagnant, they die and rot, and they really stink. This odor can permeate the whole boat. It can smell nearly as bad as the holding tank. After each time I use the boat, I pump the bilge out, then add a splash or two of bilge cleaner. This keeps the bilge cleaner and fresher, and knocks down the odor. I'll also recommend that your boat be ventilated as much as possible, particularly when you are away from it, and it's "closed up." On my 27, I have two Nicro Day/Night solar powered vent fans that run 24/7 (both run in the exhaust mode). During real hot weather, I also "pop" one or more of the deck hatches to allow extra air to flow. One last thing: I have found that wiping down the fiberglass surfaces occasionally with a mild cleaner (409, Fantastic, etc.) keeps things real clean and fresh smelling, too. Randy
J
Jim
Great input!!
Thanks guys, I think Ray and Randy hit on my problem. I had the holding tank pumped when I bought it, but I think more aggressive steps need to be taken. I may pull the system and replace the hoses and really clean the holding tank. I am desperate, which leads me to Randy's remark. The former owner was challenged and used the boat as a mobile home instead of sailing her. I have been frustrated with the amount of water that is in my bilge after a storm, I thought it was rain water but I now see that it is coming up from the thru hole. I have a RULE 2000 and the hose was barely connected. I am looking at replacing this system with one that has a check valve in it. Any words of wisdom would be welcome. I think once I fix these issue my odor issue may subside as well. SO gentleman looks like I have my work cut out for me.
Thanks guys, I think Ray and Randy hit on my problem. I had the holding tank pumped when I bought it, but I think more aggressive steps need to be taken. I may pull the system and replace the hoses and really clean the holding tank. I am desperate, which leads me to Randy's remark. The former owner was challenged and used the boat as a mobile home instead of sailing her. I have been frustrated with the amount of water that is in my bilge after a storm, I thought it was rain water but I now see that it is coming up from the thru hole. I have a RULE 2000 and the hose was barely connected. I am looking at replacing this system with one that has a check valve in it. Any words of wisdom would be welcome. I think once I fix these issue my odor issue may subside as well. SO gentleman looks like I have my work cut out for me.
T
Tim Haibach
Going one step further with the potential holding tank issue: Sometimes you get what you pay for. Sometimes owners will take the cheap route and buy hoses not meant to carry wastes. The odors may permeate through the hose, even if the hose isn't leaking. Take a clean rag and dampen it with warm water. Rub the rag several times along a stretch of hose between your head and holding tank. Now take the rag and sniff it. If it smells like eggs, waste, ect, your hoses might not be the approved type and the smell permeated through the hose. If they are approved hoses but they are 15+ yrs old, they might be due for replacing if they smell. Totally agree with ventilation as your #1 friend. If I'm on my mooring just working on the boat, I will lay all my interior cushions in the sun while I'm doing other things. Keeps the boat smelling fresh and the sun kills germs. If you have original cushions with original covers that had been swamped, you definitely need to take the covers off, wash them, and soak the cusions in a water/bleach solution (I use 2 capfuls per gal). After soaking them, put them in the sun in your backyard or dry out in the cockpit of the boat. Mold never stops fighting so preventative maintenance is key. Good luck.
T
Texas Mom
Febreeze
It sounds like you have a serious problem and all the answers above are relevant. I have a couple of other suggestions once you get the big stink out. FEBREEZE is the most wonderful creation. I keep a bottle of the original spray on the boat to use on cushions, rugs, etc. I also add the Febreeze laundry additive to any linens or clothes I bring back from the boat. It keeps them smelling fresh. I have found that our boats, both purchased new, always have a distinctive odor. It's not bad, and I just notice it on things I bring back to the house. I guess its a mixture of bilge,mustiness, diesel, and a touch of head thrown in for good measure. The Febreeze keeps the odors at bay. Good luck.
It sounds like you have a serious problem and all the answers above are relevant. I have a couple of other suggestions once you get the big stink out. FEBREEZE is the most wonderful creation. I keep a bottle of the original spray on the boat to use on cushions, rugs, etc. I also add the Febreeze laundry additive to any linens or clothes I bring back from the boat. It keeps them smelling fresh. I have found that our boats, both purchased new, always have a distinctive odor. It's not bad, and I just notice it on things I bring back to the house. I guess its a mixture of bilge,mustiness, diesel, and a touch of head thrown in for good measure. The Febreeze keeps the odors at bay. Good luck.
J
Jim
We have a winner folks
Well the winner was Ray and Tim, the odor was coming from the head hoses. I replaced them last weekend and I would not wish that job on my worst enemy. The former owner used the boat as a camper and over used the head. It was GROSS, anyway I replaced everything so I think wiping down and cleaning all the surfaces to remove the oder from them my boat should smell much better. Thanks to everyone who wrote in.
Well the winner was Ray and Tim, the odor was coming from the head hoses. I replaced them last weekend and I would not wish that job on my worst enemy. The former owner used the boat as a camper and over used the head. It was GROSS, anyway I replaced everything so I think wiping down and cleaning all the surfaces to remove the oder from them my boat should smell much better. Thanks to everyone who wrote in.
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