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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Mold in the gas locker

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sfsmith
Navigator

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USA
123 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/02/2011 : 05:59:19

I have a problem with black mold inside the gas locker. I use a bleach solution that's supposed to kill it, but it stays clean for just a short time. The only ventilation comes through the small cutout for the gas line at the bottom of the lid. Seems like installing a vent on the vertical side of the locker lid could make a difference. Has anybody done that?

Solomon Smith
TANGO 89/WK/TR/#5942
Petoskey, Michigan

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2011 : 06:47:11

I have the same problem only I gave up trying to keep it clean.

I've always wondered how the gas locker is legal anyway without any vents. As I understand the regs any fuel tank stored in a closed locker has to be vented.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2011 : 15:42:35

Gas vapors will vent out the cut-out for the hose. Mine gets filthy dirty too and it's a bear to clean.

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Frank Law
Navigator

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USA
159 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2011 : 19:23:17

I also have the same problem... But I don't remember having the problem 7/ 8 years ago ?? I've been blaming it on the E- Gas .... I also get the same stuff inside the gas cap compartment on my car..
Thats why I blame it on this lousy gas..
Frank Law
"ABOUT TIME "
1983 3519
sr , swk

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2011 : 06:36:59

I have the same goo in my fuel locker and have heard it's gas related. I'm told (I thought on the forum) if you close the air vent on your gas tank it limits the growth but it's too hot here to do that so .......... I gave up also

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Ryan L
Navigator

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USA
230 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2011 : 08:02:42

Maybe I have something different but I used simple green and a scotchbrite and got most of it off no problem.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sfsmith
 I have a problem with black mold inside the gas locker. I use a bleach solution that's supposed to kill it, but it stays clean for just a short time. The only ventilation comes through the small cutout for the gas line at the bottom of the lid. Seems like installing a vent on the vertical side of the locker lid could make a difference. Has anybody done that?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2011 : 13:46:05

The black is usually fuel vapor that diffuses through plastic containers and lines and the less volatile components react and condense out. Straight gas does it too. If you actually have mildew, bleaching it is only partially effective; the surviving spores will fire up as soon as conditions improve.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2011 : 15:53:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 I have the same goo in my fuel locker and have heard it's gas related. I'm told (I thought on the forum) if you close the air vent on your gas tank it limits the growth but it's too hot here to do that so .......... I gave up also

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I keep mine closed all the time (except when I'm out) and still it grows like wildfire. I wonder if installing a louvered vent would help any?

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jonfew346
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 06:59:28

White vinager will kill any mold spores. I have a cowling vent and just replaced my hatch seal. Seems to be working well. You can always try a damp-rid bucket to pull the moisture out, but nothing beats good ventalation.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2011 : 08:16:50

The black residue is mostly from the gas vapors venting off the portable gas tank vent cap as others also indicated. Boat soap and water, scrubbing and water pressure spray usually keeps it at bay but it reoccurs. I have minimized it somewhat by removing the portable gas tank from the locker when I go sailing and have the vent cap open. I just turn it sideways keeping it adjacent to the transom and then closing the vent after sailing and returning the tank to the locker before I leave for the day.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2011 : 10:41:51

I just spent about 2 hours cleaning that black moldy, sooty gunk (probably coupled with jet fuel exhaust particles from the airport)from our transom, fuel locker, and cockpit. The seats were literally turning black.
I used Soft Scrub and those green Scotch-Brite Scour Pads on the smooth surfaces and a short bristle scrub brush on the non-skid areas. Bought it all at Dollar General. The Soft Scrub stuff was great, cut right through the gunk. I still have a bit more to do in the fuel locker, but the cockpit now looks great - for a while!

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pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2011 : 12:46:35

David - is your boat in the water? Is soft scrub ok to rinse off?

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2011 : 13:13:17

It's in the water. Can't answer the rinse issue. We've never received any notices about acceptable or non-acceptable cleaning agents, I just assumed it was acceptable.
Just checked online. I used soft Scrub with Bleach. Recommendation online is to use a soft cloth and light pressure. I used a scour pad and medium heavy pressure, so I may have taken off some oxidized gel coat too. Oh well! I think I'll wash the hull with it next haul-out.

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/22/2011 13:23:38

Captain Bill
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2011 : 11:11:19

This spring my gas locker looked really bad, spiders and black gook everywhere. I sprayed everything with Tilex and today, two months later, it is still clean. Hope it lasts a while. Don't know about the environmental effect though.

Bill

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/24/2011 : 11:48:52

Tilex is made with some surfactants, detergents and bleach and I think it has a little quaternary ammonium disinfectant, so it's no worse than any of the other caustic crap we use and safer than most.

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