Smelly Boat

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

So far as adding it the bilge, I use the pine sol as a cleaner, then flush the bilge very well with fresh water. I think that just letting salt water sit in there long enough and it will develop a "boat smell". >>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Pine sol? Me, too. Just did this, smells great.

[sailorboy1]

if it didn't smell before but does after you motored a while look around your racor filter for leaking threads, filter, plugs

[ostriman]

I just had a musty smell develop during absence. Someone recommended Bamboo Charcoal bags to absorb the smells. You can find them online in several sizes. Put one in truck and on boat after a couple of days in sun to activate. No more smell, including cooking odors! I thought this was just a gimmick, but it worked for us.

[flblowfish]

Originally Posted by bglad

If not already employed you might try this for your packing gland:



https://www.emarineinc.com/categorie...-Shaft-Packing



Seems to be able to tolerate little to no leakage without overheating as regular flax might. No water is ideal. When some shows up you know there is a problem...

Stuffing boxes are supposed to drip.

[Olddan1943]

Have you considered an ozone generator?
IF POSSIBLE investigate the 115vt units.
There are 12vt (plug into the cigar lighters) but, I have not read good reviews on these units.
Remember, if you can smell the ozone, you are generating way too much ozone.

[zeehag]

find diesel leak
clean
paint
clean cushions. steam cleaning em does not hurt em
dry them well before reinstallation.
orange oil cleaning the wood works.
vinegar before orange oil works.
clean only with grain. only use soft cotton pads. i make mine out of old t shirts, per tradition.
ventilation
always ventilation.
a closed boat is a reeking molding rotting boat.

ozone generators are contraindicated for many asthmatics.
hepa filtration is far superior.
btdt. had a portable unit in 1994-5 when i lived aboard in a very busy port with neighbor's exhausts constantly in my cabin. .

[SecondBase]

I used to say keep the 12v fans running but their MTTF is lower than desirable. If you have AC power I recommend these dockside and save the pricey Boras for underway...

[JanetGroene]

This could also be the result of an old leak fixed long ago. Diesel permeates and stays, creating a source of smells and a fire hazard.