That "used" boat smell

S

Steve OD

Member
Oct 26, 2017
70
West Yarmouth, MA
Boat Info
Sol Searchin'
1996 330 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 L V Drives
Anyone have a magic formula for getting rid of that "boat" smell in the cabin. Hard to describe it, definitely not mold as I have eradicated that, but more like plasticky (is that a word?)maybe from the vinyl cushions or the material on the seats and bunk? I keep the AC on and clean meticulously.
I don't want to just spray fabreeze down there every time I go in the boat, and my wife won't go down there because of it, she even smells it on the deck.
I have damp rid thinggies hanging and that helps a little, but I'd like ocean breeze fresh if I can get it!
Thanks!
 
Kanberra gel has tea tree oil in it. We keep it in our boat year-round. Tea tree oil kills mold and mildew’s and the smells that they produce. This is not a perfume or or a cover-up this is a product that actively neutralizes odors in your boat.

I spend about $100 a year on the stuff I already have the little canisters everywhere I need them so I buy the big bulk bag and refill.

my wife is very sensitive to odors and the boat smell you were talking about would drive her crazy.

https://kanberragel.com/collections/marine
 
That "boat" smell can be different things I guess. When we bought our boat, my wife said it smelled like it just came off the factory floor. Freshly laid up fiberglass. It was pretty bad. It was 9 years old. She asked the original owner how she liked the convection oven as she had not used one before, her response was "I don't know, we've never used it, and we never will. We will not cook on the boat, ever. We also think they never used one of the heads, apparently saving it for something. Only thing in the fridge was a few bottles of wine and a six pack of beer. Everything in the boat looked spotless and brand new although it was completely original. You get the picture, a lot probably has to do with how the PO has used and maintained or not maintained the boat. If we ever sell it, the next wife will say "jeez, it smells like the fresh caught fish they cooked for dinner last night and the bacon they fried this morning". We often wonder what the po would say if she came aboard. Not that we care, we just wonder, because our boat doesn't stink to us. Didn't stink like fiberglass to her either.
On a more serious side, this is kind of a handy book. Some good tips in there for a lot of issues.
https://www.amazon.com/New-Get-Rid-...ocphy=9005534&hvtargid=pla-491698623569&psc=1
Good luck.
 
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Tea Tree gel works but it then smells like tea tree oil so change one smell for another. I buy pure tea tree oil bottles (Costco) and add it and a little hot water to the dried out marine gel. Much much cheaper and works the same.

That smell is I think from smelly head waste lines. Changing them out buys some time before it comes back.
 
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Kanberra gel is great. West Marine sells a different brand but it works well, too. It seems to neutralize the musty moldy smells.
 
I'm in the same boat. :cool:

Not mold because I think I've looked everywhere, scrubbed the carpets, scrubbed the sump box, cleaned the AC pan and coils and tossed out the 20+ year old throw pillows (ew) but there's still an odor.

I think it quickly dissipates when I leave the door open and totally gone when out and about on the water with windows open....etc.

I do like Tea Tree so that might be an option.
 
Little Ducky said:
I'm in the same boat. :cool:

Not mold because I think I've looked everywhere, scrubbed the carpets, scrubbed the sump box, cleaned the AC pan and coils and tossed out the 20+ year old throw pillows (ew) but there's still an odor.

I think it quickly dissipates when I leave the door open and totally gone when out and about on the water with windows open....etc.

I do like Tea Tree so that might be an option.
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Sounds good, I'll give it a try
Thanks for the tips!
I'm sure my wife thanks you too
 
Are you sure that "plasticky" smell is not just the the fiberglass itself? Fiberglass resin does have an odor (not unpleasant IMO). It never really goes away. You just become nose-blind to it.
 
Provided you’re not talking about holding tank odor and I don’t think you are, that smell is a boat thing. Fiberglass, vinyl, a bit of age and some oil.

Personally I love it especially after a long winter. It’s like coming home. It’s similar to the smell of a classic car.

You might try those plug in air fresheners when you’re at the dock.

If you have an older boat that doesn’t smell like sewage, mold or gasoline you’re already in good shape.
 
Do you have the window shades that retract on one side and screen pulls across from the other? I pulled out the shade side one weekend on my hatches and could smell the vinyl deteriorating in the hot sun. Granted mine are nearly 22 years old...
 
kvduff said:
Do you have the window shades that retract on one side and screen pulls across from the other? I pulled out the shade side one weekend on my hatches and could smell the vinyl deteriorating in the hot sun. Granted mine are nearly 22 years old...
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No, I just have screens, I really think it's just that boat smell that my wife hates.
Ran the ozone generator last night and ordered the tee tree oil stuff so we'll see what happens
 
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