• Welcome to this website/forum for people interested in the Morgan 38 Sailboat. Many of our members are 'owners' of Morgan 38s, but you don't need to be an owner to Register/Join.

Mildew

B

buddy

Buddy Edwards
"Southern Breeze" picked up a mildew smell while on the hard last
summer. We have not been able to get rid of it. Any
suggestions? Thanks.
 
Bob,
I assume it is a general odor through out the entire boat, because you did not pin point an area that it is coming from.
First use Clorox 1 part to 3 parts water. Wash everything, cabin sole, bulkheads, liner, etc. Make sure you are well ventilated while doing this. Run Clorox through the holding tank, pump it out. Run Clorox through the bilge and pump it out.
If the mildew smell is in the upholstery you will most likely have to replace it, but try washing or dry cleaning which ever is right for your fabric. Washing does a better job of removing odor, so if you have a choice, wash.
Remember to keep the boat well ventilated and try not to inhale the Clorox.
Before you do any of this, try to sniff out the source. It might only be coming from one place.
If the smell continues after the above treatment...SELL.
Good luck,
Larry
 
Bob. I don't know how acute your sense of smell is but, you may be able to solve your problem by stopping a hidden leak. I had a mositure/mildew problem that puzzled me for a year or so. I finally found the problem to be a leaky port in the head. The leak went between the head insert and the hull and I had trouble finding it. Once found and corrected the problem went away. At least for me. My wife can still smell a little mildew when we first open up the boat but it quickly disipates. Following Larry's steps will then give more lasting results.
 
<div>I agree. But would add just a little to what you have suggested. I put the mixture in a spray bottle - this makes it easier to get good coverage in tight places like lockers, under the sink and v-berth. I do the whole boat about once every 2 years. I run 2 small fans in the boat year round. So far this approach has kept the mindew monster at bay.Fairwinds & Rum Drinks,Vic C.
</div>
 
Every couple of years I put clorox in a spray bottle and go bow to stern. Be very careful first I put a large window fan over the forward hatch exausting out open all port and hatches. second you need goggles and avery good breathing mask as to not get fums in your lungs. In the Vbirth area where the white covering is you will need to rinse with water after 10 to 15 minutes do all lockers. This has work very effectively for me good luck
 
Thank you for your suggestions. This is one of the great things about this board. Friendly people who answer questions. Bob
 
There is the option of using an ozone machine,if you can find one to rent. they are costly to buy. I have not used one, but they are claimed to be very effective at dealing with this problem, especially by finding the places you cannot reach with bleach.
 
Terry,
What is an ozone machine? How does it work? What does it do? How large is it, and how would someone operate it?
Larry
 
Terry
Using an ozone machine is fine for removing the mildew odor in the boat but it does nothing to clean-up the source of that odor. Hunting in the nooks and crannies with a spray bottle of bleach and a respirator is the only surefire solution.
 
<div>I was planning to try an ozone generator myself this year to try and get the mustiness out of my 383. The boat has had a noticeable odor since I bought it and I would like it to go away. It's not overpowering, just noticeable. Generally when the cabin airs out for a few minutes it's mostly gone. The cushions I have are probably some of the problem and should be replaced. I'm not going to do this, however, until I get the rest of the cabin to smell fresh. Most boats smell a little bit but a mildewy odor usually means there's mildew (DUH). The ozone generator you would use would probably be about the size of a small electric heater and should run for at least a couple of days. I stayed in an Extended Stay America motel during my move to Chicago a couple of years ago and was waiting on one of their suites as my wife and I were going to be there for a few months while our house was being built. The suite was finally available so we moved in. Unfortunately, a smoker had just moved out and the place smelled like an ashtray. The front desk gave us an ozone generator to take out the smell and after three days it was GONE. With all that said, I thought it might also work on the boat. I plan to do the clorox thing as well but wanted to follow that up with the ozone treatment. I also bought some commercial deodorizer from Sam's Club that I may use on top of all that. Sounds like I have a stinky boat but the way I look at I don't smoke or smell so why should it. I'm also going to try the ozone generator on the cushions in a sealed environment (a plastic tent) to see if that would help. I could actually try that before this year's launch.Let me know how or if it works.Al Tigner
</div>
 

I was at the Detroit boat show and stoped at a booth that sold these machines for boats. I have the number at home and will post it tomorrow. The machine costs about $250.00
It runs off a 110. The demonstration was excellent. It also comes with a guarantee that it will illiminate the oders in you boat. They have several units to choose from based on the size boats. They claim the machine will eliminate oders from Mildew. the head ect. I'll post the number tomorrow.
 
Al
The cushions on board Dana are the originals from the factory. They are in pretty good condition for thier age. Only the V-bunk cushions have been replaced. Something We've found that works very well to remove the musty odor and keep them fresh all season is an end of season job we do each year. When the cushions are removed from the boat for storage in the attic, they are librally sprinkled with "Arm & Hammer Carpet & Room Deodorizer" both top and bottom as they are stacked away. We like the "Vanilla Meadows" scent. Then when they're ready to go back on board in the spring, we run the vacuum over them to pick up the excess and thier ready to go. It's a cheap solution and the cushions no longer have that musty odor. Again, the ozone machine works to rid the boat of odors but it doesn't attack the source of those odors.
 
I have no personal experience with the ozone and oxygen generators, but have noted comments, and the logic of, "Since oxidation is a key problem among boats, Such mildew remedies depending on oxidation, create a risk of increased oxidation problems elsewhere on the boat." The best Mildew remedy is to keep the interior clean and dry....Difficult, but not impossible. Cleanliness and air circulation are the key.
 
Sorry this took so l0ng, lost the information. The number is 1-888-842-7442. These people claim to be able to illiminate the mildew oder by "actived oxygen". They pitch boaters spacifically for the product.
While in the booth at the boat show there were two boaters who praised the system.
Good Luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top