Smell source on Hunter 405

[karenmmc]

Anyone have any ideas about where a "bad" smell comes from on a Hunter 405? I've tried to locate the source, but can't quite pinpoint it. I smell it worst when I walk down the companionway steps. It smells almost like sewage, but not terribly so....

This is what I've done:

-pumped out the holding tank, flushed with significant amounts of water, pumped out again.

-put bacteria treatment the head

-cleaned out shower sumps, left disinfectant in sumps

-ran enormous amounts of water thru the bilge

-put 1 gallon bleach in bilge, let set overnight

Cleaning out the bilge seemed to help alot, but I still get a "whiff" now and then. Any ideas? Thanks, Karen

[Gallivanters]

Have you checked the bottom of your shoe?

The baby's diaper?

Mouse Trap?

Dirty Neighbours?

Underpants?

Wind Shift?

Wild Weekend?

Fridge accidently turned off?

Scared?

Shoes in cockpit?

Perhaps it's just the fact that she's a Hunter!... just kidding.

Really.

First glimpse of odors always occur when coming down the ladder and those kinds of odors often originate from a shower that drains into an oily bilge instead of a dedicated sump.

Cats often get blamed.

Suggest you try using vinegar to wash out bilge. Bleach after that.

If all else fails... bring flowers!

Happy Hunting,

Kirk

[Swagman]

It sounds as if you've some water trapped somewhere below decks - not uncommon when they contruct in plastic and use moulded keel webs and stringers.

Suggest first place to look is where the fridge(s) drain out. If you've the front opening model you can be sure there is a drain pipe going somewhere......

If the bilge is dry maybe check out behind the furniture higher up in the boat (but still inside the hull). If you've had water enter via the deck or other fittings, or got some in the bilge when sailing, and then sailed at an extreme angle - water may be laying in a pocket higher up and just going off.

If none of the above works can only recommend leaving some undiluted nice smelling cleaner in the bilge, and taking it for a sail to see if you can get that cleaer into the same spots the water is trapped.

Good luck

JOHN

[Auzzee]

If the pong is only a recent development, it could be a deceased rodent...You could check for fecal evidence in your galley cupboards. A general rule is if something stinks like poop...It probably is exactly that. Check the holding tank pong pipe isn't blocked by a wasp's nest or similar.

[karenmmc]

Thanks for the ideas, several I hadn't though of are good possibilities....enjoyed Kirk's suggestions (the fellow in the next slip would probably take offense!) Karen

[AndrewF]

One source that I think get's over looked at lot in the galley sink drain - they can get very nasty. we need to pull ours apart every 6 months or so for a degreasing

Best of luck

[Fred R]

Karen...all good ideas... Hunters??? Don't let them bulls--t you...all boats get that smell...you gotta follow your nose.

Check all drains, shower sumps are the prime culprit...

When all else fails, buy FabBreese (sp?)

My Cal 2-46's shower dumped into the bilge and I dumped 1/2 gallon of Chlorox in every day!!!!! Took awhile but the smell was history.

If the traps in the sinks are correct, there will be no smells. The holding tank could have a leak....I think that smell would easy to follow...

Let me know when you find the source...Dead rodent?? Good Luck...

fred

[karenmmc]

Thanks - I thought about putting bleach in the bilge more often - but was concerned that might not be a good idea. Is there any harm in this?

(I'm not affected by the "Hunter" comments - I expect them on this board!!!) Karen

[JeanneP]

We had a problem with a fish getting sucked into the water intake for the head. It stayed and rotted inside the bowl (not where it's flushed, the inner part of the entire commode), and it just smelled all the time. Peter wound up running a caustic soda solution from the outside intake through the entire system. (Caustic soda, most common brand name Drano). It is dangerous stuff and can burn any skin it touches, so great care must be taken. Best to mix with water (wear safety glasses, please!), jam a hose into the water intake, put other end in the bucket with the c.soda solution, and have somebody inside pump the head. Careful inside, too! If any splashes on you, flood with water. But be VERY careful not to let any splash into your eyes.

I hope it's a simpler problem than above so you don't have to go through this exercise.

[Fred R]

jeanne and karen....Care is the word....

Draino is nasty....does it eat up the rubber seals in the head???

My head, after many rebuilds, still stunk!

Bit the bullet and bought a new one ...smells were gone....

Headed due East out of the inlet for 50 nm headed north and home,

Gave the head to Neptune...It was the best ceremony since the fourth.

fred

[Bedouin]

I once had a really bad smell from the head though it was cleaned and incomming water seemed clear the smell stayed. I eventually found two decaying prawns in the water pick up hose. Cleaned the hose a the smell was gone. Anywhere water can accumulate is a possible smellarator!! Let us know what you find.

Regards

Peter Yacht BEDOUIN

[BJSmith]

Could be the galley sink tailpiece/pipe. Every month I close the thru hull and pour boiling soapy water in to the drain.. let is sit for 5 minutes and then flush it out with fresh water. Usually does the job. Make sure your sink drain hose is rated for engine exhaust duty.

[Trim50]

I have found that the best thing to do is "become one with the smell" that your boat produces. Learn to love and cherrish the stinch a.k.a. "Boat Smell".

[Swagman]

Originally Posted by name='Converted Post'

Originally posted by Trim50

I have found that the best thing to do is "become one with the smell" that your boat produces. Learn to love and cherrish the stinch a.k.a. "Boat Smell".

Reminds me of the sewage worker who went for a day trip to the coast and getting off the train - breathed deeply of the sea air - and fainted.

They had to throw a bucket of poo over his face to bring him round.

JOHN