That Smell

B

borst

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
RO Number
28689
Messages
88
This will be my third month of ownership on my new 2008 2565. One thing that is really concerning me is the overwhelming vapor smell in the cabin. I spoke with the dealer early on, they stated that the boat was just new and the smell would go away. Since this early conversation the smell is still prevalent and the vapor odor is strong. The CO2 detectors go off all the time, I was told by the dealer these are really a vapor detector and will detect strong odors. What do you think the smell could be? When I lift the engine hatch it is very strong in the compartment. Do you think this is just a brand new boat and it will go away? I am not that sensitive to most smells, but this is really bad. It's like a gas/mineral spirits/epoxy smell. It's horrible. Anyone who has stayed on the boat inquires about it. Help?
 
Not sure what it is, but our Cruisers Yachts line has a similar smell/vapor. It does go away in time. We have used ozone generators on a couple of boats that were extremely strong, and it has taken the smell/vapor away.
 
Hey Borst,

If you have the Admiral cook dinner down there - maybe you'll luck out and she'll burn something.. that should help cover it up for a while anyway. :)

Actually, since our boat is a 1989 model, we don't have that vapor smell you note. Interesting that Ram states other boat brands have similar issues. I'm guessing it's the natural curing of the resins used in the boats.. hey, by the time it's as old as ours I'm sure the vapors will dissipate. :O)

I would have never thought of it as an issue with a new boat.. I guess it gives new meaning to New Boat Smell?
 
Ram and Dog, I am hoping that it is just the fiberglass resin setting up. I have a feeling that it is something more. Everyone that gets on the boats, states it smells new. I hope the trend disapears soon.
 
Hi Borst,

Is the boat stored inside, outside, in the sun/shade etc? I just wonder if it's temperature related in anyway.. meaning that if hot/sunny, it's helping burn out all the resin vapors maybe.. Maybe the cold of the upcoming winter season will help tame the vapors down.. I would think that by next summer the vapors should be gone.
 
Dog, in the summer I keep the boat in dry storage. During this winter it will be kept in a climate controlled location. I was thinking the same thing, trying to cure the resin. I have left all the doors and windows open. I may try to place a dehumidifier in the engine compartment to see if that helps? Thoughts? The smell is bad. When I picked the boat up from the dealer last week I could smell the boat as I was walking towards it. I guess it had been under cover for two weeks.
 
you need to learn if it is the styrene smell of a new boat or something else. Ask a dealer or someone familiar with new boat smells to sniff your boat, or go smell some new boats and compare.
 
Borst, I took delivery of my boat about 3 weeks after it came out of the factory, and it took some 6 months for those smells to abate.

Other than resins curing, there also are many different types of caulk and glues used throughout the interior that will need to air out.

Think of it as the smell of MONEY, quickly depreciating...
 
Kenpcfl, I hope this is the case. I did notice that the caulk where most of the cables and hoses go into the cabin from the engine is still very new and flexable. I am going to leave a few windows open this winter, and maybe the engine hatch open to help aid in the drying process. I tell you that smell was great the first time I saw her, now its just annoying.
 
Borst,

I'm sure it's the resins/glues/adhesives, but I'd have your dealership check it out, and don't let them make it seem incidental. On a couple of our Cruisers, it was so bad, that the people could not be in the boat for more than like 10 minutes. It's not something you should live with.
 
Everyone, last nite got in the boat and opened up every cabinet and all cushions. Going to leave everything open all winter hopefully this will let some air pass over those hidden spots. If it would stop raining I would leave the engine cover up also.
 
Ok so the boat is out of dry storage for the winter. During the winter I left all of the windows and engine hatch open. Guess what, that smell is still very strong! I dont know what to do at this point? How do you issue a complaint on somthing you cannot see. I have tried ozone, charcoal filters, and fans. Nothing my boat smells like epoxy or a new shower curtain. very strong oder. I have checked fuel lines, bilge areas, under seats, all over the boat.. This winter I went to several boat shows, none of the Regals I got on had the same smell. HELPPPPP
 
"The CO2 detectors go off all the time, I was told by the dealer these are really a vapor detector and will detect strong odors."

I have never heard of such a thing as a "vapor detector" - you have smoke detectors and CO detectors. Some gases other than CO could cause it to activate.

CO2 is a harmless gas that we emit as a result of breathing - CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you.

You should call Regal and insist that a factory rep come and inspect the boat. I'm sure you paid plenty for it and, while all new boats have that "new boat smell" if yours is making your boat unusable they should step up to the plate.
 
it sounds like you have some uncured resin somewhere in the boat. the resin is cured with heat originally. is the boat small enough to put on a trailer and take it into a paint booth in a auto/truck paint center and put it under the heat lamps used to cure auto paint. my thinking is if you can raise the temp of the hull, you may be able to cure the epoxie. if the problem is that severe, have you called customer service at regal yet?
 
Vic33004, the boat is on a trailer, 2565. I just ordered a ozone air cleaner to leave in the boat for a few days. I have been all over the boat looking for that smell. It is worse in the engine compartment and head.. I will call regal today and see what they say. I dont think we have a paint shop that is large enough to fit a boat. I wonder, will the summer heat do the same job to cure the epoxy??
 
borst, i'm not sure about the temps required to finish curing the resin. regal should be able to help with that question. if you use an open light to create the ozone be carefull. it will take care of the smell, but will also fade everything it comes in contact with at about 1000 times faster than normal sunlight would. the sealed units that keep the light inside so you can't see it, still generate the ozone and those will also cause the plastisizers to become brittle with excess exposure to ozone, so be carefull not to leave it in the boat too long if it is a large unit.

i think the key for you is to get the resin cured if that is possible, even if you get the smell out, i think it will return until the resin is cured.
 
Vic33004, so I did send an email to my dealer, they are going to forward it onto Regal. My shop manager and I spoke about this last season, so he knows there is a problem. I spent some time on the boat last night, found a new product called odor-be-gone. I used it to wipe down all the interior and engine compartment. The temps are going to drop this weekend I may put a space heather in the engine room since I have already dewinterized.

Thanks for the advice with the ozone machine. I will only use it for a day or so.
 
borst, be very careful with any electrical devices you put into the engine compartment! Only do that with the engine compartment open and checked for gas fumes. And if you leave the boat with anything electrical running, leave the engine hatch open/removed.

Try spraying all fabric surfaces with FabreZe. This includes overheads, carpets, seat, beds, etc etc etc. This may help. My boat had a 'new boat' smell for a few months. then it either went away or I just got used to it!
 
I was wondering the same thing. Mine is a 2001 and have always had a slight "chemical" odor, which also seems to be most prominent between the head and the engine room, just under the cockpit to salon step. I changed the head to tank hose, but to no avail. Most people don't even notice it, but it is one of those things that drive me nuts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top