Those Smells......

[maxcpt]

Can't seem to get rid the smell in the head bilges and galley cupboards. Have changed the sink piping, and that was not it. Have cleaned out the bilges completely - thats not it either. When you open a cupboard you get a whiff of it. Does anyone have any ideas how I could try to get rid of the smell. Could it be flushed or sprayed with something? Don't really want to use a whole lot of chemicals.

[Pelagic]

Could be that the smell is now in the toilet hoses themselves. take one out clean it very well then after a few days take a whiff.

If it still smells, that is the problem

[forsailbyowner]

As for the hoses, take a clean rag and wipe it over the hoses. Then give the rag a sniff. In the cupboards I'm imagining the offending odor is one of a couple of things. Either its soaked into a semi permeable surface or is coming from an area below the cupboard that is hidden and possibly holding septic water. Some ideas to try that don't use toxic chemicals would be vinegar(works surprisingly well on bilge odors) or ammonia(remember NEVER with chlorine which creates deadly gasses). Although ammonia smells strong its much less harmful to human tissue than bleach (and materials). Another fix that requires retreatment is alkyl disinfectant sprays which goes after the offending bacteria. Spraying down offending hoses when smell is evident works until replacement is possible. Added benefit it kills viruses and mold spores.

[MarkJ]

yeah chances are its the toilet hoses. at $22 per meter they are quite expensive, and damn fiddly to change over, but the job done is a good feeling on a 'new' boat!

Mark

[forsailbyowner]

When I reworked my head I used all pvc pipe. It cost much less, no odor permeability and will likely last as long as I do. Completely serviceable if I do have problem where vinyl hose gets so stiff service is difficult if not impossible

[maxcpt]

Thanks for that - we will try cleaning out the hoses - or eventually replace them all

[Vasco]

Hoses that are permeable will not "clean up". Replace them.

[David M]

I believe you really need sanitation hose. PVC will work but it is relatively brittle, plus you will have sharp 90 degree bends which is not very good for pushing poo through.

[imagine2frolic]

For a quick fix you can wrap the hose in saran wrap......i2f

[S&S]

Originally Posted by forsailbyowner

When I reworked my head I used all pvc pipe. It cost much less, no odor permeability and will likely last as long as I do. Completely serviceable if I do have problem where vinyl hose gets so stiff service is difficult if not impossible

Originally Posted by David M

I believe you really need sanitation hose. PVC will work but it is relatively brittle, plus you will have sharp 90 degree bends which is not very good for pushing poo through.

The combination works great: We used 2" PVC for the long run from the forward head with hose tails to the pottie. Do Not use 90 degree bends- use 45's for offsets.

[bstreep]

PVC does not belong on a boat. Just my opinion...

The good hose is expensive, the job isn't as bad as it seems. You can't "clean up" existing hose - just replace it. Did a thread here a few months ago on our process.

[Solitude]

Before changing all tho hoses.... is it the same smell from the cupboards or are you talking about several "smelly parts" to the boat?

Indeed head holding tanks and hoses can smell and need to be replace eventualy. Vinegar as stated works great and doesn't harm anything. I pour some down the head every time I leave the boat (Im a weekender). What about ventilation. I put a solar vent in the head two years ago and presto a much fresher and much dryer boat.

[forsailbyowner]

Why doesn't pvc belong on boat? With no reasoning to back up the statement the statement is just ignorant. My installation does have a 90. The 90 is a street elbow so I can snake it out if I need to, which I haven't. Its much better to have your boat reek like fecal matter than use schedule 40 pvc. No matter what the ad says, if its flexible its going to be odor permeable. Ill also soon be plumbing my freshwater with pvc. Getting kind of tired of replacing hardened vinyl that splits, collects organisms in its porous surface and generally inferior. Pvc has smooth wall inside from fitting to pipe, hose has ridges and steps at fittings. Plugs are not an issue like with hose.

[rjrendemd]

I would bet that the smell is emanating from the bilge and you will likely find a small leak in one of the drain hoses leading from one of the heads. Once the bilge is contaminated it is very difficult to get rid if the odor. There have been previous posts regarding getting the septic tank odor out of the bilge. Diluted bleach with copious flushing followed by the liberal use of Fabuloso has worked for me, but until you find the leak the smell will continue.

[MarkJ]

Oh, I forgot an important thing: when we first got the boat there was a bit of smell and we fixed it by washing out the holding tanks.

At the marina we filled both holding tanks full of fresh water via the pump out plug. Then went to sea and pumped out. Then back in the marina we cycled through gallons of fresh water via the toilet and using vinager etc.

Then when it was all clean inside we swung the Y valve and don't use them unless we absolult have to... then clean them out again.

We also took the pannels off surrounding the holding tanks and washed them down.

Whole joint smelled like a rose! OK a dead rose, but whatever....