How do I cure a “musty” odor?

Flytrade

Flytrade

Active Member
Feb 20, 2018
302
Bradenton, FL
Boat Info
2006 320 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 6.2L Mercruiser
My Sundancer is buttoned up most of the time. Although I use the dehumidifier sitting on the air conditioner, the interior still has less than a fresh smell.
I do use air fresheners, but they just seem to mask the problem.
I was thinking there must be some type of a “bomb” that can be used over a several day period to bring back the freshness.
Shurley I can’t be the only one with this type of problem. What do you experts recommend?
 
Musty odors are typically from dampness and or mold. your dehumidifier could possibly need a bit a help. I use 2 large buckets of damp rid in the boat (bow and stern) year round. You probably have carpets right???? If so, they may need to a good cleaning and thoroughly dry with a fan.
Air movement is key!
 
I keep mine heated to a minimum of 60 degrees... I have never had a musty smell, now if I forget to turn the head fan on sometimes there's a ??? Oh nevermind.
 
Kanberra gell and then once it dries out you can refresh it with a bit of water and tea tree oil from Costco and heat in the microwave. I think it works. That’s what I do.

but to get rid of the smell you need to clean all the fabric in the boat and the carpet.
 
Creekwood said:
Kanberra gell and then once it dries out you can refresh it with a bit of water and tea tree oil from Costco and heat in the microwave. I think it works. That’s what I do.

but to get rid of the smell you need to clean all the fabric in the boat and the carpet.
Click to expand...

This! Cannot overstate how well Kanberra gel works. When we pull out our boat in indoor heated storage we put six of the hanging fresh scent damp rid all around. We then buy the bulk Kanberra gel and put them all over the place, in the bilges, heads, sleeping areas, closets and of course the galley area.

My admiral has one of the most sensitive noses on the planet, this makes the typical boat smells tolerable to her. We also keep Kanberra gel in every bilge, head, and living area throughout the season.

Kanberra gel is natural, has tea tree oil that evaporates then it kills mold spores. We use a little more than one bulk pack a year so we spend $125 a year on it.

Quick story, our convertible came out of winter storage covered in mold, everywhere, leather seats, plastic dash panels, even the floor mats. After cleaning up the mess, ugh, we put the smallest Kanberra gel on the floor and have never had a speck of mold…
 
MonacoMike said:
This! Cannot overstate how well Kanberra gel works. When we pull out our boat in indoor heated storage we put six of the hanging fresh scent damp rid all around. We then buy the bulk Kanberra gel and put them all over the place, in the bilges, heads, sleeping areas, closets and of course the galley area.

My admiral has one of the most sensitive noses on the planet, this makes the typical boat smells tolerable to her. We also keep Kanberra gel in every bilge, head, and living area throughout the season.

Kanberra gel is natural, has tea tree oil that evaporates then it kills mold spores. We use a little more than one bulk pack a year so we spend $125 a year on it.

Quick story, our convertible came out of winter storage covered in mold, everywhere, leather seats, plastic dash panels, even the floor mats. After cleaning up the mess, ugh, we put the smallest Kanberra gel on the floor and have never had a speck of mold…
Click to expand...
If you want to save a LOT of money, this is what i get from Costco. Its pure Tea Tree oil. When the Kanberra gell dries to those sticky green pucks you can revive it by putting some water and a bunch of this tea tree oil (maybe a tablespoon) into the container. Then carefully heat it in the microwave being careful to not boil it over. Stir it every 30 seconds and then let it sit for a few hours and repeat the heating stirring the next day. It comes back to a gell again and the scent is the same. This is from Costco in Canada but a similar thing is available in the US I expect. It works/smells exactly the same.
https://www.costco.ca/holista-tea-tree-oil-100-ml,-2-pack.product.100455302.html
 
I'll be the 3rd for Kanberra gel. On my last boat, the underside of the bimini top had some mold / mildew build up. Leaving the Kanberra open in the cockpit cleared it up in no time and it does have a very pleasant smell.

As Mike said, buy a few of the small containers and just the big refill to top them off.
 
A night of drinking and taco bell should do the trick. :)
 
+1 for Kanberra. An Ozone machine is great as well, make sure you follow the directions though.

First though find the source of the smell and don't only try to mask it.
 
Last edited:
Creekwood said:
If you want to save a LOT of money, this is what i get from Costco. Its pure Tea Tree oil. When the Kanberra gell dries to those sticky green pucks you can revive it by putting some water and a bunch of this tea tree oil (maybe a tablespoon) into the container. Then carefully heat it in the microwave being careful to not boil it over. Stir it every 30 seconds and then let it sit for a few hours and repeat the heating stirring the next day. It comes back to a gell again and the scent is the same. This is from Costco in Canada but a similar thing is available in the US I expect. It works/smells exactly the same.
https://www.costco.ca/holista-tea-tree-oil-100-ml,-2-pack.product.100455302.html
Click to expand...
Tea Tree Oil is your friends for many many things! :)
 
Yes I am a big fan of Ozone but most units out there are not strong enough to do anything. I have been using "Forever Ozone" products for over a decade as I am in the car business and smells are gross killers. I believe in their products and they work to kill mold spores in boats from being locked up in humid climates. I do a treatment on my boat once every 3 months. That means openeing up hatchs and exposing air flow to everywhere inside the cabin, very important that it can get easily to all areas to be effective. This will not fix worn out sewer pipes, or standing water issues in a sump. It will kill mold and thats the main reason I use it. I use it in my house also to clean air vents. Here is a link to what I use

https://foreverozone.com/
 
I had my prior boat 6-7 years and never had a musty smell. Then I started to get the smell and it felt damp in the forward berth. I took the hatch ring off and found that the seal was bad. The foam of the headliner was wet.

I caught it at the beginning, so I dried it out and re-glued the headliner and rebed the hatch. No more musty smell.
 
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