Smelly Boat

[chasgunter]

I am new to boating and have just bought a 27year old Princess 32. It had previously been used for cruise hire.

I live aboard the boat and it is generally fine. However there is a persistent musty smell (not heads). I have shore power, and am running a dehumifier and heater but the smell persists.

Any advice on dealing with the problem would be welcome.

Thanks

Charlie

 

[cliff]

Clean and disinfect the bilges, clean all surfaces and disinfect, spray the upholstery with "Febreeze™" or the like, eat less beans.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[chasgunter]

Thanks. I'll try that. (I can live with the beans)

 

[tcm]

do as cliff says - but also replace the carpets. Use the old ones as templates if possible and if they are fitted/glued get a carpet fitter in. New boat smell as in boatshows is essentially the smell of carpet and carpet glue - it returns the moment you replace the carpets

 

[cliff]

Good point - I forgot about the carpets, not having fixed carpets in my latest toy.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[chasgunter]

Another good point. Thanks

 

[Talbot]

definitely one of four reasons:

heads piping needs replacement (fairly distinctive smell)
bilge is stale - flush out and clean
carpets have been wet and not dried properly - replace or try steam clean from both sides and thorough dry before putting back onboard
upholstery has been damp and is mildewed - most likely cause - steam cleaning two or three times may well cure it, otherwise you will need to replace at least the foam and possibly upholstery material as well.

 

[HeadMistress]

In addition to what everyone else has suggested... A musty smell is mold and mildew (sanitation hoses have their own very distinctively different odor)...and fresh air light are the enemies of mildew. Wipe down all the hard surfaces with Milton, or better yet, a bathroom mold product like Tilex (if it's sold in the UK...if not, there must be at least one brand) to kill the mold spores.

After you've sprayed all your cushions with Febreze--better yet, a microbial product such as the ones sold in pet stores to eliminate odor from pet accident sites...it works on musty smells too--put 'em out in the sun for a day.

The microbial pet accident product will do a dandy job on the carpet too...just make sure there's plenty of fresh air in the cabin while it dries.

Do the same with all the life jackets. Put away wet, they do get moldy.

In addition to the dehumidifier, run a fan. Pull out all the drawers a bit, open all inside hatches and lockers so that plenty of fresh air can circulate in the drawers and behind them, and in lockers.

Clean the shower sump (if there is one).

Pull out your anchor rode, lay it on the dock and wash it with plenty of clean water and detergent...if all chain, use the bathroom mold product too, but not if it's line.

Clean the chain locker.

All this should help a lot. At the very least it'll allow you to locate the source(s) of any remaining odors because it'll get rid of the rest.

 

[onleyb]

Agree with everyone but would add the following. Make sure you have found and sealed all leaks that could be making furnishings damp other wise all this could be in vain

 

[chasgunter]

Thanks Peggie. I live in the North of Scotland so sunny days will be rare until spring. However, I will follow up your other suggestions. Incidently, I have just ordered your book.

Best Wishes

Charlie Gunter