Hello Everyone, Has anyone thought about or actually put a bildge blower fan and piped it into the bildge. As a Hunter 34 owner we suffer as many others do with some boat odors. I've removed the sole from salon and have rebuilt much of it. Even with the boards removed and all of the black nasty mildew removed we still retain some of that unpleasant smell. Currently, I don't have any plans to remove the sole in the V, the aft cabin or the galley. So my question is.. would blowing a contant supply of fresh air into the bildge help alleviate some of the problems associated with mold and mildew? Thanks, Mike Mangione
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KO
I sprayed a solution of KO and water into the areas that I couldn't reach and then dried the bilge. As long as the bilge is dry, no problem with oders.
I sprayed a solution of KO and water into the areas that I couldn't reach and then dried the bilge. As long as the bilge is dry, no problem with oders.
How did you get the KO in
How did you get the KO into all the tight spots? Did you use a spray bottle or a garden sprayer with a wand set to mist and poked through the limber holes? I have seen pictures of the areas under the cabin sole that can collect water and turn black and disgusting. Does it do any good to take a little chlorine bleach mixed in and fill your bilge a couple of times to rinse it out? How do you really get it dry (ever)?
How did you get the KO into all the tight spots? Did you use a spray bottle or a garden sprayer with a wand set to mist and poked through the limber holes? I have seen pictures of the areas under the cabin sole that can collect water and turn black and disgusting. Does it do any good to take a little chlorine bleach mixed in and fill your bilge a couple of times to rinse it out? How do you really get it dry (ever)?
Try Humidifier Preservative
The first step is to do a thorough job of cleaning the bilge. After that, keeping it dry would keep odors from developing, IF you could keep all the water out, but I've never been able to keep the bilge bone dry because of rain water. What I found to be quite effective at preventing odor - between bilge washings - was to add a capfull of humidifier preservative after pumping the bilge as dry as possible. It's simple, and it works. Now the last time I suggested this trick on this board Peggy jumped all over me, suggesting that humidifier preservative is extremely toxic and dangerous, as if I were suggesting you add DIOXIN to your bilge. Well, it IS toxic, but only if you are a bacterium. And the active ingredient (Quats) are found in everyday household cleaners (which Peggy denied). Anyway, you might give it a try. It's a lot more simple than installing a fan! (Which, by the way, is not a bad idea for keeping the bilge dry, if you have 110V power available.) Steve Christensen
The first step is to do a thorough job of cleaning the bilge. After that, keeping it dry would keep odors from developing, IF you could keep all the water out, but I've never been able to keep the bilge bone dry because of rain water. What I found to be quite effective at preventing odor - between bilge washings - was to add a capfull of humidifier preservative after pumping the bilge as dry as possible. It's simple, and it works. Now the last time I suggested this trick on this board Peggy jumped all over me, suggesting that humidifier preservative is extremely toxic and dangerous, as if I were suggesting you add DIOXIN to your bilge. Well, it IS toxic, but only if you are a bacterium. And the active ingredient (Quats) are found in everyday household cleaners (which Peggy denied). Anyway, you might give it a try. It's a lot more simple than installing a fan! (Which, by the way, is not a bad idea for keeping the bilge dry, if you have 110V power available.) Steve Christensen
Keeping my bilge clean isn't too bad . . .
My bilge is fairly deep, however, I can reach every corner to keep it clean. The areas under the cabin sole (to port and starboard of the main bilge) are the areas that I can't get to. What is the best way to get the hard (if not impossible) areas clean?
My bilge is fairly deep, however, I can reach every corner to keep it clean. The areas under the cabin sole (to port and starboard of the main bilge) are the areas that I can't get to. What is the best way to get the hard (if not impossible) areas clean?
Bleach worked
I found its impossible to keep the bilge clean all the time so I just put some bleach and not only does it keep odors away but also keeps it very clean,but next season I will try KO and compare which works better,I know bleach is cheaper and works great for me. nick
I found its impossible to keep the bilge clean all the time so I just put some bleach and not only does it keep odors away but also keeps it very clean,but next season I will try KO and compare which works better,I know bleach is cheaper and works great for me. nick
Bilge water gets pumped overboard
I must admit that I do not know what some of these chemicals are, nor do I know what their affect on marine critters might be, but I feel that I must point out that we need to very cautious about stuff that eventually gets dumped overboard. Is the potential poisoning of our beloved waters worth the trade-off of avoiding a little old fashioned scrubbing?
I must admit that I do not know what some of these chemicals are, nor do I know what their affect on marine critters might be, but I feel that I must point out that we need to very cautious about stuff that eventually gets dumped overboard. Is the potential poisoning of our beloved waters worth the trade-off of avoiding a little old fashioned scrubbing?
A Question - NOT Criticism
Steve Christensen: Are you CERTAIN that Humidifier Treatments, utilizing “Quats” are safe? Bacteriostatic Treatments for Humidifiers contain about 1.125% each of: Alkyl (C12-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride*, & Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (C12-C18), as well as unspecified inert ingredients (about 97.75%) * The cationic "Quat" (Quaternary compounds) types of disinfectants are normally a variation on a compound of Benzalkonium chloride. From: http://www.ecogent.ca/enviro/env_enzyme.htm “... It is known that synthetic enzymes such as alkylbenzyldimethyl ammonium chloride are powerful phase transfer catalysts which can greatly accelerate the hydrolytic attack of glycerides, proteins, lipids, and genetic molecules. These additives are extremely toxic to virtually all living organisms. This observation raises concerns about the safety of using detergents which contain pseudo-enzymes such as quaternary ammonium compounds. Tonnage quantities of these lethal agents are being dispersed in the environment without a clear understanding of their potential effects on humans or other living species. The increasing number of genetic disorders and the increasing incidence of cancers in the general population and especially in children, mostly of unknown origin, should be a warning that we should be more wary of introducing potentially life threatening biological agents into the environment, and especially into cleaning agents. Further research is needed to ascertain whether certain detergent enzymes are consistent with a healthy environment. A known toxic additive that is so ubiquitous within our society should be carefully reviewed for potential adverse effects on human health ...”
Steve Christensen: Are you CERTAIN that Humidifier Treatments, utilizing “Quats” are safe? Bacteriostatic Treatments for Humidifiers contain about 1.125% each of: Alkyl (C12-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride*, & Alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (C12-C18), as well as unspecified inert ingredients (about 97.75%) * The cationic "Quat" (Quaternary compounds) types of disinfectants are normally a variation on a compound of Benzalkonium chloride. From: http://www.ecogent.ca/enviro/env_enzyme.htm “... It is known that synthetic enzymes such as alkylbenzyldimethyl ammonium chloride are powerful phase transfer catalysts which can greatly accelerate the hydrolytic attack of glycerides, proteins, lipids, and genetic molecules. These additives are extremely toxic to virtually all living organisms. This observation raises concerns about the safety of using detergents which contain pseudo-enzymes such as quaternary ammonium compounds. Tonnage quantities of these lethal agents are being dispersed in the environment without a clear understanding of their potential effects on humans or other living species. The increasing number of genetic disorders and the increasing incidence of cancers in the general population and especially in children, mostly of unknown origin, should be a warning that we should be more wary of introducing potentially life threatening biological agents into the environment, and especially into cleaning agents. Further research is needed to ascertain whether certain detergent enzymes are consistent with a healthy environment. A known toxic additive that is so ubiquitous within our society should be carefully reviewed for potential adverse effects on human health ...”
Keep ot Dry
I keep a small wet/dry vac nearby and keep the bilge dry by sucking up any last bit of water in there after the bilge pump is done. Its one thing keeping it clean but once water gets in there the smell will then follow as the water evaporates. A few things you should do is maintain a watertight deck (hull too!)and get a 24/7 solar/battery powered cabin exhaust fan - that helps tremendously! Also bleach, I heard is not good for stainless steel(not sure why) and does not necessarily kill mold and mildew - PinSol does kill mold and mildew. I did think about creating some type of exhaust fan for the bilge. I heard a computer cooling fan mounted (available at RadioShack)in the vent line works well - but you need shorepower. Too many projects and not enough time! Good luck! Rob Visit my site for Cruising Guide information and please post your recommendations: http://cruisingguide.blogspot.com/
I keep a small wet/dry vac nearby and keep the bilge dry by sucking up any last bit of water in there after the bilge pump is done. Its one thing keeping it clean but once water gets in there the smell will then follow as the water evaporates. A few things you should do is maintain a watertight deck (hull too!)and get a 24/7 solar/battery powered cabin exhaust fan - that helps tremendously! Also bleach, I heard is not good for stainless steel(not sure why) and does not necessarily kill mold and mildew - PinSol does kill mold and mildew. I did think about creating some type of exhaust fan for the bilge. I heard a computer cooling fan mounted (available at RadioShack)in the vent line works well - but you need shorepower. Too many projects and not enough time! Good luck! Rob Visit my site for Cruising Guide information and please post your recommendations: http://cruisingguide.blogspot.com/
What is "safe"?
Gord May asked whether I was sure that quats were safe. Well, I'm not a toxiciologist, but even if I were, the issue raised by the quote Mr. May listed is a hard one to address. Quats are no more dangerous in an acute sense than most household chemicals (and a lot less dangerous than bleach), but that isn't what that quote is getting at. It is a valid criticism to suggest that the long term effects on the ecosystem of many chemicals that are in everyday use are not well understood, especially reproductive effects. But that criticism applies to a lot more chemicals than just quats. Having read (and understood) the MSDS I feel safe in using the product - you might not care to do so. Your call.
Gord May asked whether I was sure that quats were safe. Well, I'm not a toxiciologist, but even if I were, the issue raised by the quote Mr. May listed is a hard one to address. Quats are no more dangerous in an acute sense than most household chemicals (and a lot less dangerous than bleach), but that isn't what that quote is getting at. It is a valid criticism to suggest that the long term effects on the ecosystem of many chemicals that are in everyday use are not well understood, especially reproductive effects. But that criticism applies to a lot more chemicals than just quats. Having read (and understood) the MSDS I feel safe in using the product - you might not care to do so. Your call.
computer cooling fans are 12v
Rob, I believe that most computer cooling fans are 12v and could be wired right into your boat's electrical system. I've been thinking about using a bunch of them to aerate all the closed spaces in my boat. My plan would include hooking them all up directly to a small dedicated solar panel.
Rob, I believe that most computer cooling fans are 12v and could be wired right into your boat's electrical system. I've been thinking about using a bunch of them to aerate all the closed spaces in my boat. My plan would include hooking them all up directly to a small dedicated solar panel.
PC cooling fan.
PC cooling fan is 12V and Brushless so it would last for a very long time, usaully the bearing is the only thing would gose bad. PC fan is inexpensive and has many size to chose from. Usually I got them from scraped PC. They are not high capacity fan and they would work even voltage drop to around 6V, with lower speed of couse. So the speed is related to DC voltage within its working range, 6-12V. Therefore if full capacity isn't needed then a resistor can be connected between power and fan to reduce the speed and noise level.
PC cooling fan is 12V and Brushless so it would last for a very long time, usaully the bearing is the only thing would gose bad. PC fan is inexpensive and has many size to chose from. Usually I got them from scraped PC. They are not high capacity fan and they would work even voltage drop to around 6V, with lower speed of couse. So the speed is related to DC voltage within its working range, 6-12V. Therefore if full capacity isn't needed then a resistor can be connected between power and fan to reduce the speed and noise level.
lemon scented bleech
I think this is a regular maintenance issue. At least twice a year,I turn off the bilge pump and flood the bilge with lemon scented bleech and fresh water, open all hatches, and drive the boat around for an hour or so, sloshing the mix to get to all areas in the bilge but making 90 degree turns in each direction. Upon returning to the pier, I energize the bilge pump getting rid of the mix, continuing to ventilate for as long as possible. I have a dripless shaft seal so no seawater comes in to recontaminate. Twice a year seems to keep the boat smelling nice. When I bought the boat five years ago, it smelled putrid from sitting on land for four years with a full holding tank. Hope this helps.
I think this is a regular maintenance issue. At least twice a year,I turn off the bilge pump and flood the bilge with lemon scented bleech and fresh water, open all hatches, and drive the boat around for an hour or so, sloshing the mix to get to all areas in the bilge but making 90 degree turns in each direction. Upon returning to the pier, I energize the bilge pump getting rid of the mix, continuing to ventilate for as long as possible. I have a dripless shaft seal so no seawater comes in to recontaminate. Twice a year seems to keep the boat smelling nice. When I bought the boat five years ago, it smelled putrid from sitting on land for four years with a full holding tank. Hope this helps.
keeping it dry
I use a 36 inch water canon I bought at a toy store for about $10 to remove the last of the water in my very deep bilges. That plus a good cleaning (bilge cleaners from WM work okay) every six months or so avoids the odor problem. Let is slosh around all day while sailing. If possible, you could leave a dehumidifier cannister in the bilge while away.
I use a 36 inch water canon I bought at a toy store for about $10 to remove the last of the water in my very deep bilges. That plus a good cleaning (bilge cleaners from WM work okay) every six months or so avoids the odor problem. Let is slosh around all day while sailing. If possible, you could leave a dehumidifier cannister in the bilge while away.
Solar Exhaust Fan Idea
Regarding a powered exhaust fan for the engine / bilge: I thought it would be a good idea to alter an existing vent cowl to include a small exhaust fan powered by a solar panel mounted on the cowl vent itself.....would be a neat product - a replacement for existing vents and would offer forced air ventilation in and out of the bilge and engine compartment. Any inventors out there!
Regarding a powered exhaust fan for the engine / bilge: I thought it would be a good idea to alter an existing vent cowl to include a small exhaust fan powered by a solar panel mounted on the cowl vent itself.....would be a neat product - a replacement for existing vents and would offer forced air ventilation in and out of the bilge and engine compartment. Any inventors out there!
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