Boat smell

[Rhylsailer99]

Any tips to get that old diesel kind of boat smell that seems to get into everything I leave on the boat. I have swilled out the engine bay bilge with fairy liquid but still the stale odour remains. Do all old boats have that same kind of smell?

 

[Boater Sam]

Ground coffee sprinkled.

 

[Bouba]

Lemon juice and vinegar

 

[Supertramp]

Starbrite bilge cleaner. Not cheap but helps clean waste tanks/bilges. Plus keeping everything clean and dry.

 

[MoodySabre]

I used to use an enzime based smell treatment like WeeAway (desinged for dog smells). Now I just leave a Neutradol Air Freshener in the boat and that does a pretty good job. The problem is that the smell gets into upholstery and foam and a radical cleaning of every surface area and renewing soft furnishing is a big and expensive job.

 

[Seashoreman]

I have used a 'Pet Urine Neutraliser' which seems to kill the smell of diesel. Cant remember what its called but a Google search
will give you plenty of options to consider. The one I got had no after smell or scent, just kills organic smells.

 

[neil_s]

I use Kontrol damp absorbing crystals over Winter - available in Robert Dyas - they also absorb the old diesel smell.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I used Bilgex when I got my boat years ago - it had a leaking fuel tank which I replaced but not before using Bilgex in all the dirty bilges. Also replaced all the contaminated woodwork where possible. I used boiling water to dilute it down before scrubbing and clean water afterwards. Not a quick job but worked.

 

[doug748]

Concentrated detergent will do a good job, the sort you put in the washing machine. It may take a few goes and a finish with the pet spray.

.

 

[Muddy32]

Zoflora

 

[Halo]

Zoflora is great.
When I had a wet bilge (pre sail drive) I put cloths washing powder solution into the bilge changing it on arrival and departure each time I went to the boat. The agitation worked really well on longer trips.
For some reason boats which have de humidifiers in use when they are not in use seem to have less of a smell.

 

[johnalison]

Once upon a time I used to fantasise that I should market an aerosol can that induced a smell of Stockholm Tar and label it 'Old Gaffer'.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

This thread has advise on the same topic cleaning bilges

The orange zest Cif product was recommend, IIRC, by the lady that wrote the book on this stuff, but whom I can't remember.

 

[Momac]

Do all old boats have that same kind of smell?

No

 

[Rhylsailer99]

No

I will have another go at trying to remove the smell. I think it is impregnated into the foam cushions and outer material. Every time I take something off the boat like my bag that was left on for a week comes back smelling of boat.

 

[jakew009]

Biggest difference will come from running a dehumidifier for the winter if possible

 

[Rhylsailer99]

Biggest difference will come from running a dehumidifier for the winter if possible

I put around 10 de humidifier pots around the boat and change them once full of water during winter.

 

[jakew009]

I put around 10 de humidifier pots around the boat and change them once full of water during winter.

They do nothing like what a proper desiccant dehumidifier will pull out. Mine was doing almost 20 litres a week when I first got the boat! Now it smells brand new.

 

[simonfraser]

They do nothing like what a proper desiccant dehumidifier will pull out. Mine was doing almost 20 litres a week when I first got the boat! Now it smells brand new.

Yes that and fit some computer fans to circulate and expel

 

[veshengro]

When I lived permanently aboard my boat, it invariably smelled of burnt food for some reason..