Odor Control on Sportfish and Center Console Boats

Dealing with bad smells and odor control on a boat is one of the most challenging aspects of managing a boat. On a sportfish boat with a cabin they can be tricky. But regardless of whether good or bad it's ALWAYS something people notice. It can make for a great or terrible impression for guests and owners. 

Best way to tackle odors is to stay ahead of them. Be proactive not reactive. Here are some helpful tips to keep your boat smelling fresh this season.

Keep it Clean - Clean areas like bilges, toilets, shower boxes, and inside hatches often and let them dry out. 

Waste Tank Treatment - There are plenty of options for waste tank treatment from liquids to drop in packets. The key is to treat it before you leave the dock, preferably before a long day of running or maybe when it’s a little bumpy offshore.  Always start with an empty tank and then add some clean fresh water so there is enough to rinse the whole tank while you’re running. 

Ozone machines -  A popular solution to maintaining odors are small plug.  Use in limited capacity though. A large dose of ozone is not good for fittings and fixtures and will cause them to tarnish if used excessively. 

Dehumidifiers - Perhaps the biggest reason for any type of odor on a boat is moisture. More sportfish boats are being built with dehumidifiers. Moisture bags are ok but seem to fill up too fast and can be hard to stay on top of. 

Kanberra Gel - Place the gel in containers around the boat and it works organically. According to their website “At the micro-biotic level, the air itself absorbs the pharmaceutical grade oils. As the air circulates Kanberra Gel begins eliminating odors. It does so naturally, with no chemicals.”

Chasing Existing Odors - Looking for a quick fixes for boat smells? It’s not ideal but there a few things to mask or help odors in short order when guests are coming. Fabric softener sheets on the Air conditioning return vents work well, febreeze does the trick, as does a quick shot of bilge cleaner in the bilges and shower boxes and turn the shower on for 30 seconds to activate. 

Click to shop the full collection of odor control products mentioned in this article. As always, if you have any questions please reach out to us anytime. We're here to help any way we can.