bilge odor

[silverton37]

i have a 37 silverton, and i cant stand the smell of the bilge! it semms the worst inthe forward compartment under the floor. I have used everything, even bleach. my forward cabin seems to get the worst of the odor.
does anyone know what will get rid of it? or am i missing something that needs cleaning, i have dome the shower box.


help! i want to live on it this winter, but the smell turns my stomach

 

[DJ]

Re: bilge odor

Moving to Boat Topics. You'll get a better response there. This not an engine/drive issue.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: bilge odor

have you tried a bilge blower, air it out. considered a dead varmit. mildew? steam cleaning?

 

[1730V]

Re: bilge odor

I'm assuming you are talking about a musty smell? If it is a fuel smell, you have other issues.

If so, you obviously have drainage issues. All compartments should drain to the aft bilge.

I'm not familiar with your boat but all the compartments should drain aft, as said. There should be allowances, between bulkheads, for this drainage. You will have to remove some deck (floor) boards to look. Drains do get stopped up with debris.

Also, if you have seacocks, in the forward compartment, they may be leaking. Again, deck board removal is the key to see what's going on under there.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: bilge odor

You will have to remove some floor board and take a look. Using a flashlight and mirror can help. What would you describe the smell as.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: bilge odor

Head, pump, hoses,seals and connections,OK? Plastic will permeate odors. Discharge hoses will smell with time and use. Replace them! Had this problem on my old Trojan.
If it's mold musty smelling you may have bigger and deeper problems.
Odo-ban (Sam's Club) works very well to nuetralize most funky oders. But you still have to locate and identify the source. Repair, don't cover it up.
If it's mold you can pour some Ethylene Glycol (anifreeze) down you anchor locker drain (assuming it's in the bow) and see if that clears your front bilge compartment. Let it sit a few days. The antifreeze smell will disapate in time and you've killed the mold. Killed is not cured! Ethylene Glycol is not bio-friendly.
1730V has good advice "drains do get stopped up with debris" if you have access check your limber holes between compartments.
If it's fuel, you have a 37' bomb....

 

[arks]

Re: bilge odor

I think you might have a "hidden" bilge area under your steps. My 34C had the same problem. After spending a couple months looking for the odor source and changing the sanitation hoses and clamps, I discovered the area when servicing my A/C unit. The condensate line had been leaking and left about 1 gallon of awful smelling bilge water sloshing around. The only way I could directly access the spot was to cut a hole thru the floor directly under the steps. Luckly, I was able to pull the carpet back before cutting. After cleaning up the mess and fixing the leak, the boat now smells fine.

FYI- My wife also keeps a scented candle onboard. It helps make the boat more nose-friendly. We don't have to light it, just open the lid.

 

[silverton37]

Re: bilge odor

thanks, the middle compartment always has a little water in it, the shower box and filter were the worst of it. but i still have this little somewhat our odor. are there pans or filters of some kind in the ac that may cause this? i get a strong odor when i first turn on my ac unit.

 

[silverton37]

Re: bilge odor

where are you from? do you stay in for the winter?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: bilge odor

yes ac units have filters,pans and coils. if not kept clean, will build up and smell like a sewer.

 

[arks]

Re: bilge odor

where are you from? do you stay in for the winter?

I live in southeastern Pa. Yes, the boat is staying wet this winter.

 

[sblangl]

Re: mildew odor

Re: mildew odor

Hi i am new to this site. I was wondering if anyone out there could help. We recently recieved a 30 ft cabin crusier its a 1973. The cabin has a terrible mildew smell we have found the spot where its coming from and have taken care of that but everything in the cabin still smells. Any ideas on how to get the smell out without throwing everything away. My main concern is the cushions, walls. I thank you in advance for any help.