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Boat Odor

Discussion in 'Carver Yacht' started by Genewalerius4, Sep 30, 2018.

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  1. Genewalerius4, Sep 30, 2018
    #1
    Genewalerius4

    Genewalerius4 New Member

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    since I’ve owned my 38’ Carver aft cabin, I’ve always have a bit of “boat odor” .. wife has always complained, I just said boat smell.. lately I agree with wife, it’s getting worse. Not a head odor kind of a mildewy moldy but more sharp. Is it bilge? Is it hoses for sanitation? Please suggest help. Beginning to think it might not be healthy ....
  2. Genewalerius4, Sep 30, 2018
    #2
    Genewalerius4

    Genewalerius4 New Member

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    FWIW. 1988 38’ aft cabin carver. Original vacu-flush toilets.
  3. ranger58sb, Oct 1, 2018
    #3
    ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    The shower sump if often a culprit, but you may also just be faces with an accumulation of odors from several sources. You can do a test to puzzle out whether sanitation hoses are permeated (search for details, but the short story is hot rag around a hose for a few minutes, then sniff the rag). Otherwise, it could just be you need to superclean the inside of the boat. Everything.

    -Chris
  4. Genewalerius4, Oct 1, 2018
    #4
    Genewalerius4

    Genewalerius4 New Member

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    Questions: is the 88 a double hulled boat? Seems so. Aft shower sump is fine. I’ve been down there enough! Are there any thru hulls forward of mid ships? Center sump goes off every few days and I can’t find any fresh water leaks. And there is absolutely no water in engine compartment. And no smell coming from center sump. Seems strongeast under kitchen sink,but smell permeates whole boat. Inside of boat all old floor carpet gone. Everything living space wise is spotless. I’ll do hose test in a week when back on boat.
    Thanks your reply!
  5. Beau, Oct 1, 2018
    #5
    Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Another thing you might try is washing the bilge. Turn off the bilge pumps. Flood the bilge with water, soap and some bleach. up to a safe level. Don't submerge wiring or equipment. Let it sit for a few hours sloshing around at your slip. Then pump out and rinse a few time with just water. If that doesn't do it then its probably bathroom related?
  6. olderboater, Oct 1, 2018
    #6
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I hate to ask this but do you know the history of the boat before you owned it? When did you buy it? My fear is that it could be a hurricane boat, cleaned diligently but the stagnant mildewy moldy smell still there.
  7. Pascal, Oct 1, 2018
    #7
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Make sure the bilges are dry. Finish with a shop vac if needed

    It could be hose penetration but it is a different smell from mildew. Smell the hoses and you ll see it is different.

    Carver used a lot of plywood, like many builders. Rotten plywood smells pretty bad, like mold. Hopefully it s not something structural like stringers

    Not what you mean by double hull. No such thing really. Typically you have the hull, some frames and stringers on which the floors are layed

    When you say “center sump”, are you talking about a center aka midship bilge pump, or a enclosed shower sump.

    Make sure the air con drains are routed in shower sump or overboard. Some low end builders used to just send condensate into the bilge... bad idea
  8. chesapeake46, Oct 1, 2018
    #8
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    Beat me to it, I bet the center pump is discharging your condensate from the AC units.
  9. Capt J, Oct 2, 2018
    #9
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Check the holding tank vent filter, if that hasn't been changed, it is most likely the source of your smells.
  10. Pascal, Oct 2, 2018
    #10
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Always a good idea that said a vent issue usually results in sulphur smell, not mildew. Yeah i know smells are hard to discern on line :) thankfully...

    The problem with filters is that when they get wet and clogged, the tank end uo getting pressurized when flushing or vaccumed in when pump out often resulting in damage. Look at the tank and make sure its not showing any signs of beeing deformed,
  11. Sokwik, Nov 12, 2018
    #11
    Sokwik

    Sokwik New Member

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    Had a similar odour on our 3807. Double check the shower the sumps. Clean them out as they can get nasty. My problem turned out to be the port side holding tank. Bottom of tank near outlet side ended being corroded away, eventually seeped out. Replaced tank and problem solved.