Kanberra Gel

[sailorboy1]

First off let me say that my boat does not smell bad and I don't have a mold/mildew problem really; so we don't need to start talking about cleaning the bilge etc.

But I am more sensitive to mold/mildew than most and there just isn't really any way to not have any on a boat (or in the house for that matter).

I've done some reading on Kanberra Gel (only 2 mentions on a search here); anyone here have any experience with it?

[minaret]

I'm using it, but only for a few weeks now. It's expensive, and so far I'm not impressed.

[sailorboy1]

It is kind of expensive as I could get 3 "boat bombs" chlorine dioxide kits for the cost of a 4-oz jar. But if it works I would consider the $70 well spent.

On another site there was a longer debate and for the most people who have used seemed to like the results.

[Katiusha]

We looked at Kanberra Gel at a boat show in detail and decided [for us], if needed, we'd rather just spray tea tree oil than spend so much money on slow release tea tree oil. Will also make the boat cleaner. Btw, West Marine sells an awesome mildew killer which is essentially sprayable tea tree oil: WEST MARINE Mold & Mildew Cleaner, 16 oz. at West Marine. After you clean, it keeps the tea tree oil smell in the air and it's much cheaper than Kanberra Gel. Also allows to spray under matresses, etc where Kanberra Gel's aroma might not reach.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

It is kind of expensive as I could get 3 "boat bombs" chlorine dioxide kits for the cost of a 4-oz jar. But if it works I would consider the $70 well spent.

On another site there was a longer debate and for the most people who have used seemed to like the results.

I believe I paid just over half that at a local pet supply store.

[S/V Antares]

Put a jar in my wifes carr and it help greatly with the tobacco smell. Now I will ride in it. not before

[sailorboy1]

the $70 was for a 4 oz and an 8 oz

[Maineman]

All,

Just joined this forum after noticing the thread. To be completely transparent, I am the business development director and main "Gel-Master" for Kanberra Gel. I read the rules of the forum before joining and only did so after noticing it is ok for commercial marine specialists to offer opinions and feedback. Our parent company happens to be the largest ventilation hygiene contractor for the US Navy so I think we qualify.

I did not join to persuade anyone towards our product but did so simply to offer any answers on Kanberra Gel questions, dispel any myths, offer comparisons to other products and most of all to offer advice on any air quality issues you may be dealing with.

All this said, to Don Lucas: the chlorine dioxide bombs cannot be used within 18" of fabrics, upholsteries, electronics or mirrors. It says this on the reverse of the package. Be careful with that one...

To minaret: I'd like to know how you're using it. I may be able to offer some suggestions.

To all, go ahead, fire away. I'm open to any and all questions on the product. If I can help, I'm glad to do so.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Maineman

To all, go ahead, fire away. I'm open to any and all questions on the product. If I can help, I'm glad to do so.

Thanks , but I've read most spin already on one of those "other" sailing forums.

I'm looking to be convinced/sold, but I'm looking for real users to do so.

Wait a question - you have any links to an independent test?

[Target9000]

After Katrina wrecked a bunch of houses in NOLA and they spent MONTHS underwater, the cleanup crews that went in used something called Sporicidin. Knowing that this stuff must work... because they salvaged some of these places...

We tried using it on a boat that Dani's mom bought. The smell it produces is exactly like a dentist office, you know the smell right? Well it wrecked the mold. Its also the only thing I've seen be able to flat stop mold from growing in a porous surface for a long time.

We have no attachment to this product or its vendors, just satisfied customers.

Amazon.com: Sporicidin Enzymatic Cleaner* Gallon Bottle: Beauty

[Maineman]

Understood. Being a bloging dummy how can I send you these links? You could visit our website and click through the various media pieces and information links we have there.

On our Facebook page have been several "real boater" testimonials as well.

Last, on our site is a location search by state and zip. I would invite you to contact any marinas currently selling the product for some feedback. In the New England area any Brewer yard would be a good place to start.

Hope this helps.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Maineman

Understood. Being a bloging dummy how can I send you these links?

Post them in a reply on this thread. I don't really read product "reviews" on a products own website. What would is say if the reviews were poor?

By all means post whatever you want here. But most of it will be doubted unless some CF members speak with personal experience (where's that ultrasonic thread).

[bobconnie]

As Target said above, To get rid of mold smell get rid of the MOLD !!! thats the only way !!believe Louisiana folks when it comes to Mold we live with it if we don't use proper common sense ! and a good sporicide to kill the stuff! the one we use down the Bayou smells like oranges when ya use it and believe me it works! I get it thru the Parrish gym system, I traded some pump work for it !! what smells is the mold ya can't cover it up ya need to kill it period!! Just our 2 cents

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Maineman

All,


To minaret: I'd like to know how you're using it. I may be able to offer some suggestions.

Always nice to see a product rep on the ball on the internet! To be fair, when I say I'm not impressed, I haven't been using it for long. And it's been such a wet winter here (and continues to be) that I can't imagine any product would impress me. In conditions of constant never ending pouring rain and a steady 40 degrees at best, nothing really works in the battle against condensation except opening all vents and running the heat enough to compensate all the time. That just costs too much for my blood at the present price of diesel, so I close up the vents and live with the condensation. Kanberra Gel had no noticeable effect on the level of condensation with an 8 oz. jar as a trial in one small head with the door closed. This particular head is not showered in right now either. But nothing else has had a noticeable effect either, and I think if their was less of a condensation issue perhaps it's effect might be noticeable. It smells nice, but that wasn't the problem, and I can get things that smell nice for much less money.

[Maineman]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

Post them in a reply on this thread. I don't really read product "reviews" on a products own website. What would is say if the reviews were poor?

By all means post whatever you want here. But most of it will be doubted unless some CF members speak with personal experience (where's that ultrasonic thread).

Let's try these:

Kanberra Gel

Kanberra Gel Review | Cruising World

http://nwyachting.com/pdf/jan12/jan12.pdf Page 60

And this letter to the editor of Northwest Yachting:

http://nwyachting.com/pdf/mar12/mar12.pdf Page 18

And for the record, I will not post whatever I want here. Just what the forum asks for.

Go ahead and be a skeptic, I welcome scrutiny. Been dealing with it for 4+ years and 1000+ retailers and distributors in the US, Canada, Caribbean and Med are happy I kept forging ahead. So are their customers...

Hopefully we'll earn your business.