T&T: Bilge cleaners

[JHWardJr at aol.com]

I have become frustrated with the 'old boat smell' in my relatively  
new-to-me 1984 trawler.  Seems that all boats over 10 years old have it to  some 
degree, especially diesel powered.  After 25 years of periodic diesel  fuel and 
blackwater oozing, it is hard to truly eliminate.  I admit  that I have not 
totally attacked it with Jihadic fervor, but I have tried (with  varying levels of 
thoroughness) various cleaners, steam, high-pressure hoses,  scrubbing, etc.  
It's much better, but keeps coming back, especially now  during the hot steamy 
season and being enclosed with A/C.
 
Mold and mildew do not seem to be the culprit - it just seems to permeate  
anything porous (wood, clothes!, etc).  And current holding tank issues  do not 
appear to be a big part of the problem.
 
I know the 'stinky bilge lady' has a book, but I have heard mixed reports  on 
her and that she seems to have her way (i.e. products which she will  sell to 
you) and nothing else works.  Can't be true.  
 
My question, one of the miracle products from Unique Marine is a product  
called 'digest it' that is full of enzymes and bacteria that eat the fuel and  
waste matter.  I like the idea, but does it work?  How is it different  from 
Rid-Ex, a household product that does the same thing and costs 1/2 as  much?  I 
don't want to mask it with pine cleaner and 'Summer Rain' - I want  to KILL IT! 
 And my experience with ozone generators is mixed.
 
Second question - am I gonna keep chasing this until I seal every bilge  
surface with polyurethane?  That is a real job and I'm not ready for that  yet...
 
Thanks in advance for the input.   If you have seen a good  string (or 
reference) on this elsewhere - please direct me to it?   Regards
 



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