My boat has a strange "boat smell" no matter what we do. When we bring bedding or clothes or curtains or anything home we can smell the boat smell untill everything is washed. What can we do to get that smell out of everything? All the bilges are dry and clean. Can't figure out what it is. A lot of boats I've been I have the same smell. Any ideas?
Boat smell
- Thread starter hackalar
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
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- 3238
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- 4,831
Hard to guess without a "sniff", but
It may be MEK ( from long term leagage from curing fiberglas ), in which case I do not know how to fix it.
or mildew ( much more likely ). Mildew need not be visible to the unaided eye to produce odors. A boat is often humid, and enclosed, whick is a wonderful vacation spot for mildew.
In addition to over-the-counter mildew remedies, a through airing out ( outdoors ), as well as letting it sit in the sun for the day ( MUST be dry ). The solar UV plus air will help a great deal.
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In the future, you need to get and keep better air circulation withing the boat, esp when it is "locked up" while you are not there. Stagnant air withing the boat can cause many issues, and odor is only one of them.
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Dave posted while I was ( slowly ) typing
, but yes, waste line permeation can also introduce a "special" odor.
It may be MEK ( from long term leagage from curing fiberglas ), in which case I do not know how to fix it.
or mildew ( much more likely ). Mildew need not be visible to the unaided eye to produce odors. A boat is often humid, and enclosed, whick is a wonderful vacation spot for mildew.
In addition to over-the-counter mildew remedies, a through airing out ( outdoors ), as well as letting it sit in the sun for the day ( MUST be dry ). The solar UV plus air will help a great deal.
--
In the future, you need to get and keep better air circulation withing the boat, esp when it is "locked up" while you are not there. Stagnant air withing the boat can cause many issues, and odor is only one of them.
---
Dave posted while I was ( slowly ) typing
, but yes, waste line permeation can also introduce a "special" odor.
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2001
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- 3813
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- 9,936
If it's a 'sweet' smell, it's permeated waste lines. Take a cloth, soak it in warm water and wrap it around one of the waste hoses, let it sit for a while then take it off and smell it. If that is the smell, then it's time to replace all your waste hoses.
How old is your boat? Waste hoses rarely last more than ten years.
How old is your boat? Waste hoses rarely last more than ten years.