Old boat smell

[TreblePlink]

No, I don't mean Diesel and body odor ...

Every time I visit a wooden museum ship, I notice a distinctive materials smell. 50 years ago at Mystic, and recently on the Star of India I smelled it again.

Although my boat is closer to the lines of classic plastic, it's an all-wooden interior, and adding a hint of this smell would be nice.

How would I do that?

[Stu Jackson]

Cut all the fiberglass away and replace it all with wood.

[TreblePlink]

Thanks. I think.

Is the smell tar and oakum?

[Steve Bean]

Add in some rotting wood...

[sailorboy1]

Find a piece of wood that’s been in the water for 50 years and hang in the cabin.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by TreblePlink

No, I don't mean Diesel and body odor ...

Every time I visit a wooden museum ship, I notice a distinctive materials smell. 50 years ago at Mystic, and recently on the Star of India I smelled it again.

Although my boat is closer to the lines of classic plastic, it's an all-wooden interior, and adding a hint of this smell would be nice.

How would I do that?

In the spirit of trying to be helpful rather than being humorous, I suggest you remove all modern varnish, paints and sealers form your wood and replace with old time timber oils and linseed oil based paints etc.

A simpler option might be to leave some crushed cloves or other spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, five star etc) in the drawers and lockers.