Smell

[Rum_Pirate]

What is best to remove the 'stale musty' smell of the interior of a boat that has been locked up for several months?

Surfaces are basically clean, but was considering wiping down all hard surfaces with 'Lemon fresh' Chlorox.

Your recommendation?

 

[Clancy Moped]

Fresh air and lots of it.

 

[Wansworth]

As mentioned let the trade winds blow through

 

[vyv_cox]

Barretine mould and mildew cleaner from Toolstation has been recommended elsewhere. Problem is I guess it's for industrial use, so £10 for four litres. We use Zoflora (pound shop) that is very effective but we think your own suggestion should be ok.

 

[neil_s]

Household air freshener from the supermarket works well - Dettol do a good one.

 

[VicS]

What is best to remove the 'stale musty' smell of the interior of a boat that has been locked up for several months?

Surfaces are basically clean, but was considering wiping down all hard surfaces with 'Lemon fresh' Chlorox.

Your recommendation?

It's a hypochlorite bleach based product. Take care not to splash onto soft furnishings or other unsuitable surfaces.

The Mould and mildew cleaner Vyv recommends is based on benzalkonium chloride. ( Like patio magic, but less concentrated ITYWF)

If you still have cushions and curtains on board they are probably what is harbouring the smell. If so Febreeze, or similar, may be the solution. There are numerous variations of Febreeze to choose from.

Get a dog then everything will smell of dog .

 

[VicS]

deleted

 

[RJJ]

For hard surfaces, gallons of 50pc white vinegar. Let it run down the backs of lockers and into the bilges, wipe and spray it around where you can reach.

Then fresh air.

 

[steveeasy]

Best way to deal with unwanted smells is to get your bilge in order. I used to get a rather nasty odour each time I went down to my boat. despite frequent scrubbing and washing the bilge I was always greeted with a stench. Never locked the boat. hatches always open and a cover over cockpit. Anyway one day I found the culprit. Someone had never done up a jubilee clip on the fuel return pipe. cant imagine who that was!!.

Anyway since that day she been fresh as a daisy. I am going to get a cockpit cover for new boat. that way Ill be able to keep the hatches open all the time.
Steveeasy

 

[Poignard]

Why would you want to get rid of the lovely evocative smell of manky old boat?

Those of us who own such boats like it so much we impregnate our ganseys with it so we can enjoy it when we are at home.

 

[penfold]

What is best to remove the 'stale musty' smell of the interior of a boat that has been locked up for several months?

Surfaces are basically clean, but was considering wiping down all hard surfaces with 'Lemon fresh' Chlorox.

Your recommendation?

Sounds like a lot of work; get an ozone generator and leave it switched on for a day or so for the same effect without any elbow grease.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Sounds like a lot of work; get an ozone generator and leave it switched on for a day or so for the same effect without any elbow grease.

Not readily available here (have to buy and import + 59% duty on the CIF value).
Clorox an elbow grease is much more economic.?

 

[Iliade]

Hire one from an auto shop/dealer?

 

[KevinV]

No shortage of ozone on a Caribbean island - just leave it all open, job done

 

[ryanroberts]

I now run a cheapo amazon chinese HEPA filter + ioniser thing when off the boat that keeps things at bay

 

[johnalison]

I market an aerosol spray that smells of Stockholm tar. Just send me your bank details and I'll send you some.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I have heard it said that toilet cleaner in the bilges helps; apparently some charter companies use it. But I haven't tried it myself!

 

[vyv_cox]

I have heard it said that toilet cleaner in the bilges helps; apparently some charter companies use it. But I haven't tried it myself!

Yes indeed. My wife Jill was on a delivery trip when a locker in her cabin was filled with diesel due to a disconnected hose. Toilet Duck solved the otherwise impossible situation perfectly.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Hire one from an auto shop/dealer?

Not that sophisticated here . . . yet. ?

 

[steveeasy]

Why would you want to get rid of the lovely evocative smell of manky old boat?

Those of us who own such boats like it so much we impregnate our ganseys with it so we can enjoy it when we are at home.

Oh right. That’s where I’ve been going wrong then. Gansey. Like it?

steveeasy