Bilge Odor

I have a 1982 42 foot Post. I always have a small amount of water in the bow. That is the low point at rest.

The water comes from the rudder stuffing boxes. It's been consistent and small for 4 years so I haven't done anything about it. I have dripless boxes on the prop shafts and they don't leak.

Don't seal under the cabin sole. I don't even know how it would be possible.

I learned a trick in a boating magazine a couple of years ago. Mold can't exist in moving air. That's probably most of your smell.

I've been leaving my portholes open and running a small fan when I'm away from the boat. It has all but eliminated mold and the smells it brings.

Also very important, once the organisms in salt water die off in the toilet bowl, it always stinks bad. Flush it very well and it goes away.

Finally, I use "cinamon and apple" Airguide electric deoderizers when I'm on the boat. Within 15 minutes of arrival and turning on A/C or heat, and then flushing the toilet, the boat smells great with no heavy perfume smell. Much better than most I go on.

Finally, make sure there's no oil or diesel in your bilge. If so, use bilge cleaner or Dawn. That makes a big difference.

Hope this helps.

Here are some things to look at:

http://www.pureayre.com/

http://www.bilgebuster.com/marine/bilgebuster.htm

Air-Dryr 500 Mold Zappers

All Posts collect water in the front compartment. Post has a series of lubber holes to carry the water forward, and, at leat on the 50, two PVC type pipes that can be plugged with a standard transom plug like your dinghy has. Some of the water comes in thru the cockpit hatches because of an imperfect seal and poor drainage design. When my boat is shrink wrapped for the season, and I "sponge" out the last drop of water, the bilge stays dry until I remove the wrap and wash the cockpit or it rains. (I store in the water)

As to the odor. A lot of that comes from your anchor line and chain locker which empties right into the bow/stem of the bilge. If you unfasten one of the floor panels and wash that area with a strong hose stream and detergent, I think you will have a significant drop in the odor - it worked for me!

You should also try OrPine Bilge Cleaner. It has a nice pine smell to it. I use it all the time.

There is a drain for your chain locker that runs directly to the bilge at the stem of your boat. All the gunk left on your chain after you weigh anchor washes down that drain and collects in the bilge/stem. If you wash that material out of there and evacuate the the bilge water, I think you will smell a big change.

smell

This may sound a little off the wall but observe your holding tank mascerator when it's running to make sure the seals are not shot. You may be pumping a minor amount of hold tank liquid into your bilge every time you pump out. It will sure create an "odor".

If it's the problem, just replace the whole pump. Re-builds on those units aren't that swift.

I remember in the "old days" that pleasure craft were designed to be "bow" down when taking water..from anywhere, theory being..keep the stern up so you can get off at the last minute...sorry. does not help with your odor issue...