Smoking odour in the boat

[Moretolife]

Hi there, we saw a boat we really like, but the owner is a smoker, and the smoking odour is very strong throughout the boat. I’m not sure if he smoked in the boat, or just in the aft deck, but the odour is everywhere.

My concern is that the smell has stuck in the canvas or the vinyl clear windows that are in the aft deck, and to the wood walls in the boat, floors and so on.

Has anyone dealt with such issue and know how to remove those odours from the boat?I’m sure there must be a solution for that, I just need to find it.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[boatman61]

Wipe it all down well with a white vinegar and fresh water solution and follow up with a recommended vinyl restorer where appropriate.. the hard plastics should be fine and any wood surfaces a good polish should be adequate.
Smoking in the cockpit alone would not result in what you say is the problem.
Do not use on the windows..
A smoker..

[LittleWing77]

Here you go, More: probably the best thread about getting rid of funky boat odours. There are a couple of posts that mention great success with ozone generators...

Help - Super Funky Smell
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ll-240361.html

So you may have found your boat, eh? Well, removing a bad smell is a damn sight more manageable than a $100k+ refit, isn't it.

Hope this one is the one!
Warmly,
LittleWing77

[tkeithlu]

Boatman's got it, apparently from experience. It's the same problem as in a car, so automobile instructions can be extended to the job. The nasty part is that smoke scum is in and on everything, so careful detail work is required. Here are some automobile instructions:

https://www.homemadesimple.com/beyon...SAAEgLL6fD_BwE

[Afrinus]

The vinegar wipe is definitely the way to keep a boat sanitized!
On wood - for a light cleaning - we also use a wood oil soap with an orange scent (Murphy's Orange Oil), but to get the boat to a good maintainable place, we used TSP to wash down all the hard surfaces.
Its amazing him much grime comes off.
Immediately follow with a good wood protection product.
My interior wood has hard polyurethane finish.
Before you use TSP, try on an out of the way spot first to make sure it doesn't effect whatever finish is on the wood.

For plastics and painted surfaces, it's perfect.

[Sailshabby]

You may need to replace the foam in the cushions and v-berth, as well. It’s rarely obvious until you take them topside. Chances are the owner is aware of the potential issue, so consider that in your offer.

[Clivevon]

Yuk! Also replace all soft furnishings, curtains, cushions, mattresses, seating.. But i'm a long term ex-smoker. Nothing worse than a convert. Did i really used to stink like that? Unfortunately, yes is the answer.

[boat driver]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Wipe it all down well with a white vinegar and fresh water solution and follow up with a recommended vinyl restorer where appropriate.. the hard plastics should be fine and any wood surfaces a good polish should be adequate.
Smoking in the cockpit alone would not result in what you say is the problem.
Do not use on the windows..
A smoker..

Formaldehyde evaporated and fan low speed circulated will kill all organic in the boat. Close for week and then air out. then wipe down with vinegar , hot water if possible and mild soap: avoid TSP unless planning on refinishing surfaces as it can be a bit harsh.

[Allied39]

I did a refit on a vessel that had a fire. Biggest issue was removing the smell.

Pretty much every cleaner was tried and the winner was:
Mr Clean. The cleaner with the muscly guy on it.

It was by far the best and actually cleaned what the previous owner was in the process of grinding off.

[Larry Florida]

Best to pass. Will always be an issue

[wsmurdoch]

For the interior NosGuard SG Odor Boat Odor Eliminator - Fast-Release Vapor System by Star Bright will fumigate the boat with chlorine dioxide and destroy the smoke odor but may require another treatment a week or two after the first. If you have a friend who is a chemist, he may be able to supply the two chemicals much more cheaply.

[Mithril Bham]

If smoke bothers you so much then move on or pay someone $500 to detail and deduct from price. I grew up where everyone smoked in their houses. Doctors used to smoke in their offices. Theaters had ash trays in the seats. Analiese which charters for a million a week allows smoking inside. Each to their own.
Dry clean cushions. Deduct from price.

[Tupaia]

You will never get rid of the smell.

Car dealers work on 20% off of the ticket price for cars that have been smoked in.

It is much more difficult to valet a boat than a car.

[Moretolife]

Thank you all everyone. I read about the ozone generator and it seems as it may kill the hoses and electrical cables as well…that’s not going to be good. So that worries me.

I also have a dog and I heard that it is dangerous for them, even though the dog won’t be present while it’s cleaned, the question is if it’s safe or the dog after .

The owner takes all furniture with him, and I can replace all mattresses , and curtains. But he had the 2 captain chairs in the helms, they are new and probably stink , and the wood all around …even the ceiling is kind of some type of fabric.

How can I get rid of the smell from the clear windows at the aft deck ? Since it’s not glass , how can you remove the odour from them?

Thank you so much

[JPA Cate]

Wash them like you'd wash dishes. Dishwater soap in a bucket with warm water, a soft sponge, and dry with a light colored, soft terry towel. If the towel comes up scummy, change the soap and do it again. Eventually, it will come clean and it will not damage either clear pvc or acrylic. You may need more than one towel, but they'll come clean, washed normally in a machine with laundry detergent.

Much harder are cushions and cloth covers. Replacing is the sure thing, and it "makes the boat yours" in a way. But if the budget doesn't stretch right now to new, cushions can be washed and dried...it is a slow process, and best accomplished over a few sunny, dry days. Cushion covers are easy to sew, can be done on a cheap used machine; all straight stitching, easy to do. If you pre-shrink your material, they'll be washable, too.

Honestly, it is the smoke scum that shall have adhered in places like the insides of cupboards, or in the engine room, or the heads or bilges that will be hardest to get rid of. The simplest solution was mentioned above: find a different boat to fall in love with.

Ann