On a former boat where the hull linings had mildewed badly, I finally
replaced the fabric after trying everything. Fortunately my new boat
is lined in plastic so no odor. However my van and other car suffered
from serious mildew odors which were causing allergy reactions and I
bought an ozonator which removed the odor. High levels of ozone can be
dangerous but you can run the unit for an hour or so at high levels,
then make sure you vent the area before inhaling any remaining ozone.
Hotels use ozonators to get rid of odors like smoke, vomit, etc. but
not with people in the room. I bought mine new on ebay for half the
regular price. good luck

Glen "Wiley" Wilson wrote:
Not disagreeing at all, but there may be another way. I've done
several deliveries on Grand Banks trawlers modified with extra fresh
water tanks plumbed directly to and only to the heads, with no
pressure other than a bit of gravity. Do you see any problem with
that arrangement?

No problem at all, as long as there's no interface whatever with the
potable water system....no common plumbing including fill or vent.

Being a sailboater, I find the waste of fresh water
apalling, but the main tanks probably hold 300 gallons. Or more.

It's a different world.

It really is. In this era of so many boats that rarely (if ever) leave
the dock, coastal cruisers that can put in for water any time and
watermakers on boats that actually get out of sight of land
occasionally, fresh water conservation isn't nearly the issue it used to
be. And, electric toilets use only about 1/3 of the flush water they
used to...those designed to use pressurized flush water use even less.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

Once you've tackled the source of the odors, a good way to eliminate
any residual odor is to leave used coffee grounds sitting out in a tub
or pan for a few days. The coffee grounds will absorb and neutralize
most other odors, and once you remove the grounds, leave the boat
smelling relatively fresh. I've used this technique in houses and
cars, but never had a need to use it on my boat, as she is a very dry
boat...

Starbucks will give you a 5 lb. bag of used coffee grounds for free.

wrote:
Ahhhh, the smell of the sea!!!

Unfortunately, our sailboat smells (stinks, actually)


What KIND of smell? Sewage? Mold-like? Rotten egg-like?

It's like a combination of smells - maybe mold and sewage (?), but not
rotten eggs or oil/engine smells. We can't find any specific "source".
The bilge smells ok, the head smells ok, etc. After the boat has been
closed up for a few hours, there is just a general stinky smell
throughout.

wrote:
It's like a combination of smells - maybe mold and sewage (?), but not
rotten eggs or oil/engine smells. We can't find any specific "source".
The bilge smells ok, the head smells ok, etc. After the boat has been
closed up for a few hours, there is just a general stinky smell
throughout.

Had this problem on a Mirage 33 I crewed on. After a while I couldn't
stand to sit close to the dodger in the cockpit becuse the smells would
waffle up & make me feel sick...especially if the front hatch was open
to blow the air through. The boat is gone now...but I would guess the
old hoses were to blame. It did have a holding tank still 20% full...but
only a real thru-hull marine toilet had been used sparringly in the last
number of years. (still allowed on Canada's East Coast)
note: sailboat sold a couple of years ago.

wrote:

It's like a combination of smells - maybe mold and sewage (?), but not
rotten eggs or oil/engine smells.

Iow, it's a sour/swampy/sewery odor? If so, my money is on permeated
sanitation hoses. To make sure, wet a clean rag in HOT water...wrap
around a hose...use a clean rag for each section of hose. When the rags
cool, remove 'em and smell 'em. If you can't smell anything on the rag,
the hose is ok...but if you can smell the same odor on the rag, the hose
has permeated. New hoses are the only cure.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

On Wed, 24 May 2006 14:14:49 GMT, in message

Don White wrote:

It did have a holding tank still 20% full...but
only a real thru-hull marine toilet had been used sparringly in the last
number of years.

Why was the tank still 20% full? And with what? I would do a lot
flushing before taking a tank out of service, and probably fill it
with something anti-microbial.

Ryk

Ryk wrote:
On Wed, 24 May 2006 14:14:49 GMT, in message

Don White wrote:


It did have a holding tank still 20% full...but
only a real thru-hull marine toilet had been used sparringly in the last
number of years.


Why was the tank still 20% full? And with what? I would do a lot
flushing before taking a tank out of service, and probably fill it
with something anti-microbial.

Ryk


Believe it was like that when boat was purchased used around 2002. I
can't remember if the hose to tank from toiler was disconnected & capped
after the 'Y' valve...or the 'Y' valve simply put in the thru-hull
flushing position permanently. The boat was manufactured in Quebec
where holding tanks/pumpouts are used.

Huh.
Thanks for the "microbial pet odor eliminator" tip! I could have saved a
bunch if I'd known that before doing new cushions on my boat!
MMC

"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
. com...
wrote:
Unfortunately, our sailboat smells (stinks, actually) despite cleaning
throughout, checking the head & plumbing/holding tank, scrubbing the
bilge, and everything we can think of. We haven't found any definitive
source of odor, and it may just be a combination of all of the sources.
We have pulled up floorboards to check for mold and removed panels and
mounted items to clean behind them.

If it's sewer-like odor, I'd bet you have permeated sanitation hoses.
The only cure is new hoses.

And, as MMC suggested, permaeated cushions and other softgoods. The cure
for that: Go to pet store and buy some microbial (MUST be microbial, not
chemical) pet odor eliminator...remove the covers, saturate the foam
(not dripping wet, but only enough to penetrate all the way into the
middle of the cushion from both sides) with it..put the cushions out in
the sun to dry for day. Send the covers to the cleaners or wash 'em.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304