Ammonia smell in cabin

[captstu]

Refrigerators, especially in travel trailers and older boats, are often duel fuel, one being propane. If the fridge is dual fuel, the coolant is usually contains ammonia - and the cat litter smell is the first sign of a refrigerant leak.

My old Gemini came with such a fridge - replaced it with 12 volt and a solar cell.

[DShant]

Originally Posted by captstu

Refrigerators, especially in travel trailers and older boats, are often duel fuel, one being propane. If the fridge is dual fuel, the coolant is usually contains ammonia - and the cat litter smell is the first sign of a refrigerant leak.

My old Gemini came with such a fridge - replaced it with 12 volt and a solar cell.

I with CaptStu on this one. If it is a strong ammonia smell it is most likely the fridge if there is no cat. I've had this happen and it started slowly then got really bad. Was leaking ammonia in the refrigerator system. it will go away as soon as you get rid of the fridge.

[donradcliffe]

One of my friends bought a used Catalina 36. It stank of urine and sewage. She is not a DIY person, and paid three different groups to eliminate the smell. Six months later it still stank. Problem seemed to be in the blackwater hoses/vents/holding tank.

She is now happy to say the problem was finally fixed, a year and several thousand dollars later.

[Kit_L]

If the PO had a male cat, and if that cat had the habit of "spraying" everywhere, I strongly suggest not buying the boat. In my experience, it is not possible to get rid of that smell. Don't ask how I know.

And the fact that both the broker and the PO say they can't smell it is BS of the first order. It is a most distinctive smell, and a most unpleasant one.

[Thomas1985]

Agreed that there is no way they can’t smell this…

I’m really struggling to find a sub $50k boat that is anywhere near respectable. This is one of the only ones we’ve seen within a few hundred miles.

Most $40k boat ads… “beautiful boat looking for next loving owner. This one is truly turn key!!!”

When you go view the boat it’s missing the engine and has a 2’x3’ hole in the side 😢

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

Agreed that there is no way they can’t smell this…

I’m really struggling to find a sub $50k boat that is anywhere near respectable. This is one of the only ones we’ve seen within a few hundred miles.

Most $40k boat ads… “beautiful boat looking for next loving owner. This one is truly turn key!!!”

When you go view the boat it’s missing the engine and has a 2’x3’ hole in the side 😢

So imagine trying to sell a boat that has an offensive oder...They are easy to buy and tough to sell.

[Thomas1985]

The smell will be dealt with if I buy it. There will be a way lol

Exactly why I don’t want to pay a lot for any 1980s boat. No matter how nice. I’m going to be selling a 50 yo boat for basically nothing after spending $75k owning it.

[MikeHoncho]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

The smell will be dealt with if I buy it. There will be a way lol

Exactly why I don’t want to pay a lot for any 1980s boat. No matter how nice. I’m going to be selling a 50 yo boat for basically nothing after spending $75k owning it.

Well your not going to find to many financial advisors pushing the "boat investment" route......

[Thomas1985]

I’m not gonna lie though… boats are a whole lotta fun

[Be Free Sailor]

I dont see why cats would smell any worse than monos...?

[MikeHoncho]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

I’m not gonna lie though… boats are a whole lotta fun

Agree

[SpiritofGlenans]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

We looked at a boat that was really well kept. Cabin smelled very strongly like a cat litter box.

Any idea what would cause this kind of smell in a cabin?

Having read through the whole thread and seen various opinions as to the cause, I will volunteer that my vote would be with the holding tank.
My brother had a motor cruiser whose holding tank was mounted within the head. The ammonia smell in that room was almost unbearable, as it seemed to be vented into the room as well as being vented to the exterior. My brother and his family just did not seem to notice it.
For what it's worth, why not find out where the exterior vent for the holding tank is located, and have a sniff around there to see if you detect a similar odour. My boat does not have a holding tank, but I have bee on other boats the location of whose tank vents was blatantly obvious.

[merrydolphin]

Another thing that will do that is fresh Silicone sealer. It it has recently been applied, it can have a strong pungent smell like this. Sour smelling. Once bone dry there is no smell.

[Rjstutch]

I think if it is a very clean boat, and the fact the cushions were partly replaced is the giveaway. The owner had this cat odour issue and did all he could with his 'get the boat ready for sale budget' and reduced it somewhat but could not afford to replace all the fabric and foam.

Check all the fabrics and their foam, replace the rest which are not new and hope that resolves it! Geriatric cats can have incontinence so that is the most likely cause!

[Thomas1985]

100%

The life line nets. The “most foam” replaced.

What he really means is “I think I replaced the cushions my cat peed all over”