New Boat Fiberglass Smell

[Compromise]

Just curious if anyone else has noticed the same thing......
I have my 26M up for sale and during a showing last weekend a guy and his family who seemed very interested, were below decks and said "What's that smell?"
I immediately thought "Oh Crap", (no pun intended) the kids had used the Port-a-Potty (number one) the last time we were out and I forgot to take it home with us. I apoligised and the guy went about his inspection. He seemed interested to the point that after half hour or so of viewing, he asked if we could go out on the water which we did.
Upon return to the dock, he went off to talk with his family and I actually expected the negotiations to begin. I was shocked when he came back and said his family's reaction was "no way" because of the smell! I thought that was a little strange that that was the sole reason and it is a portable potty after all, but whatever, lesson learned for me.
They then left and I went down to further inspect this foul smelling odor and lo and behold, there was no foul smelling odor, just the normal fiberglass smell that I've become accustom to. This is my second Mac and I although this one was newer, I just figured the fiberglass odor is normal. My question to you all is: Are you bothered by the odor? Is it excessive? If you are bothered by it, what have you done to overcome it?
Thanks in advance

[Buell_S1W]

Hi Compromise, I'd say you hit the nail on the head "just the normal fiberglass smell that I've become accustom to" My new 26M in 2009 had a very strong fibreglass smell as would be expected but has diminished over time. I only notice it now when the boat has been closed up for a while & it soon dissipates. My family don't go out as often as I do & they only mentioned the smell once when it was brand new. I've only been inside one Mac 26M that didn't smell of fibreglass. It had been swamped with rain & seawater at sometime & I can tell you that DEFINITELY smelled & not of fibreglass either! I'd say the "buyer" was naive or looking for an out.

[Russ]

I actually like that new boat resin smell. Reminds me of a boat show.
However, my wife can't stand it.

It is strongest when the boat has been closed up.

[FLembo18]

Fact: Don't eat Chili before showing your boat to interested, potential buyers. FIBERGLASS

Frank L.

[Doug W]

I was wondering the same thing. My boat's new fiberglass smell is extremely strong. I assumed that the smell is very strong while the boat is still "curing" since it was built not long before I bought it. I figured the strength of the odor will dissipate as I use her and she ages.

I've installed a solar vent on the foredeck hatch partly to force air movement through the boat.

All this said, I half like the smell because she's new...

Doug
s/v Galactica

[Doug W]

Fact: Don't eat Chili before showing your boat to interested, potential buyers. FIBERGLASS

Frank L.

that'd be FIBERGAS....

ouch sorry.

[FLembo18]

Frank L.

[drams_1999]

Mine had that smell for the first year or so, now it is only a faint remnant that I occasionally notice, especially when I am fooling around in the bilges. If I open the hatches it goes away completely after a few minutes.

[1st Sail]

My '06 M was purchase in Nov '08. The day I picked it up was cold so there was not much smell. Then I got it home and in the ware house. Once warmed up to 65-70 F and what a stink. The boat had little use by the PO and was trailer stored, covered with a tarp in a barn. Apparently the hot humid KS summers caused some mildew and mold to form in the bilge.

I steam cleaned the bilge, inner hull, interior. Then I scrubbed it all down with Tilex. It still smelled of fiber glass and what ever else. I ran a marine ozone air purifier with everything closed for 3 months. Minimal change. Then I reopened the hatches and added a fan to circulate air. Spring of '09 I pulled all the cushions and sunned then for days. This seemed to help the cushions and foam pads. All things considered I managed to cut the odor some but not eliminate it. Family still complains.

Next month I'm painting the bilge and inner hull with Interlux two part bilge paint to attempt to seal up the odor. It's obviously a combination of the fiber glass gassing off and the closed up boat smell.

I suspect a combination of fiberglass resins, humidity, and closed up boat simply makes a stink.

I keep the boat trailer stored in the warehouse so the boat is bone dry. It still more than a fiberglass smell.

Good luck trying to eliminate the smell.

[parrothead]

The secret to getting rid of the smell is to paint the bilges. Sealing the unfinished fiberglas surface is easiest when the boat is new and empty - we did it before the first time our '05 went into the water [or I should say the Admiral did it - small hands are best, and do wear gloves].

Interlux sells a paint called BilgeKote just for this purpose, but we may have used another brand, I don't recall. With painted surfaces everywhere, the "underneath" storage is much easier to keep clean - and if you use white paint, you'll find that visibility increases greatly. Don't neglect doing the inside of the sliding galley, where it's much easier to locate items after applying white paint.

[drams_1999]

Another important and simple thing to do is to keep you ballast vent plugged. I have been doing that and it really makes a difference. I also drop some clorine tablets in there from time to time. You may just find that alot of the smell is coming from in there. I also agree that painting the bilges will go a long way, but I still haven't got to that on mine and she's only 1 1/2 years old.

[K9Kampers]

Ahhh...the melodies of boat fragrances!! Boat smells always take me to a good place. Growing up sailing on my grandparents various sailboats, to when I used to work on them. Fiberglass resin, musty canvas, fresh paint, head chem, diesel, wet (wood) bilge, icebox - everything had a particular odor! Combine all that with fresh ocean air!!...
A boat without olfactory sensations is just another hole in the water!

[Highlander]

I use two small plastic containers around 3" drilled holes in the lids fill them with Cedar scented moth balls & place them in the bilges front & aft so the boat always has a nice pleasent smell of cedar wood or I am going to do this as well buy one of these coat hanger cedar blocks "Wally mart" & hang it in the the boat somewhere poss the head !

Also about once a month I wash down the liner & carpeted sides with pinesol "lavender scented" only needs a fast wipe it leaves the boat with a very nice fresh scent & the ladies always coment on the pleasent smell of lavender

J

[Capt Sully]

All good stuff to know, just got my this past Nov. so it still has the New smell so far.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Hi ya crew of the Compromise:

Interesting topic. Our Mac is a 1999, and the fiberglass smell is still strong, especially when closed up in upper range temps. But, the odor somehow has an appeal, as someone already mentioned, it gives the aroma of a Boat Show.

The fiberglass odor doesnt bother us at all. I cant imagine anyone walking away from the purchase because of the Mac distinct fiberglass "fine" appealing smell.

By the way...we miss you guys here in Kemah. The Marina is now "full-up" ...

Best Regards,
Holub & crew