Nasty smell in bilge

[TBMsNautique]

Does anyone have advice on what I might do to get rid of a nasty smell eminating from my bilge? The water likely enters the boat from my kids getting in and out after skiing/tubing. The ski locker is damp but does not have standing water. The smell is only apparent when the boat us underway. The bilge pump is working fine but there is always a small amount of standing water that the bilge likely cannot completely exhaust. Is there any kind of liquid I can pour into the bilge that will "clean" the standing water. Should I leave the locker and engine compartment open when under the Shore Station? Thanks!

[M3Fan]

RE: Nasty smell in bilge

I've had this happen where the battery compartment is actually the culprit. Lift the battery up and take a whiff- it might be coming from there.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Nasty smell in bilge

Check your blower hoses. I have seen several boats that had a nasty smell, and the culprit was standing water in the blower hoses.

[TBMsNautique]

RE: Nasty smell in bilge

Thanks. I'll check this. Maybe bacteria in that moist and confined place?

[G-man]

RE: Nasty smell in bilge

We put a small piece of PVC pipe just under the engine hatch to hold it open when storing so air can circulate in the engine compartment. This helps dry out the area and keep corrosion down. The boat is stored on a lift with the drain plug out also.

[Nates78Ski]

RE: Nasty smell in bilge

we always pull out the garboard plug when up on the lift & if i remember to, put something under the doghouse to hold it up a few inches. we didnt do this at first, until we came up one weekend & the carpet inside the doghouse was all lightly covered in mold, not cool.

Nate

[skijones]

Try a little Simple Green in the bilge. I love that stuff

[Roddyj]

u could use damp rid. i use it in my boat after going out. i usually leave the cover off for a day or two, then put the cover back on and put damp rid in the boat in various places. it pulls all the moisture out and leaves a scent like fresh laundry. the stuff works pretty well. it comes in different packages also. i like the cups that you pour the damp rid in and then the water it soaks up falls to the bottom. you can find it at grocery stores and places like bed bath and beyond.

[Fast351]

My favorite trick is to dump a little soap in the bilge when there's a couple of inches of water in there. Let it slosh around. Cleans it right up.

[M3Fan]

My favorite trick is to dump a little soap in the bilge when there's a couple of inches of water in there. Let it slosh around. Cleans it right up.

I'd love to do this, but I'm concerned that it would also degrease the steering cable.

[TRBenj]

My favorite trick is to dump a little soap in the bilge when there's a couple of inches of water in there. Let it slosh around. Cleans it right up.

I'd love to do this, but I'm concerned that it would also degrease the steering cable.

That shouldnt be an issue. If water can get under the jacket on the cable, it will rust up regardless. The soap wont make it any worse.

[M3Fan]

I've got to disagree. I don't see how soap would not affect the exposed grease on the rigid end of the cable connected to the tiller (for lack of the right term at the moment). Simple Green is a degreaser, as is any dish soap. Works great getting the grease off my hands, so I don't see how the grease on the end of the cable would be impervious! I heard this from somebody way back and it made perfect sense to me.