Hi again. New to us 36mk ii. I was working on a leak of the cap in one of the fresh water tanks and found this white, greasy, odor free substance to be all in the tank. I've since cleaned the tank w Dawn soap and fresh water and it's still there. It's almost like a petroleum jelly but thinner. Not water soluble and you have to wipe it off your fingers. I haven't checked the other tanks. Any thoughts on what it may be and how to clean it? Thank you.
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"Nauti Seahorse"
2001 C36 MK ii. #2011
That might be white mold. I get it in my hot tub once in a while. If so, dawn dish soap won't touch it. I always put a splash of bleach in my tanks while filling. I don't drink the water but you can still brush your teeth with the bleach added. Anyway, if that is white mold your going to have to hit it hard with bleach.
Never seen any on mine but I don't think mold makes sense. Looks like a lubricant to me. Maybe they used it to make it easier to screw the caps on?
I looked into white mold and I don't think that's it. It does seem to be some type of a lubricant or I wondered about an additive to water that ended up geling. We had that happen to fuel tanks using Stabil years ago. It's just surprising there's a lot of it. Originally when I emptied the tank I could feel it on all surfaces I could reach. I assume it floats on water and stuck to the top, but did drip down onto the bottom of the tank once empty. I have only been using the water for handwashing so far and I will continue to try to clean it out. Thanks.
"Nauti Seahorse"
2001 C36 MK ii. #2011
Vaseline??
Durk Nijdam
S/V "SILER"
Catalina 36MKII - 2001 / hullnr. 2013
Stavoren - Holland
I think I figured it out. I went back to the boat yesterday and got more on my fingers and took a big smell and it smelled fragrant. Then came the taste test--just a little and I immediately thought soap. But it doesn't bubble so I believe its either lotion or hair conditioner which explains the greasiness, like a lanolin. I have no idea why it's there, but will keep cleaning it out. There's not much left at this point. Now to check the other 2 tanks. Thank you.
"Nauti Seahorse"
2001 C36 MK ii. #2011
I don't know about the greasy issue but I had a mold problem once. I was able to get the head of my power washer into the tanks and blasted them. Then I used a scrub brush and scrubbed the insides as best I could with soup, then blasted them again. I vacuumed them out with a shop vac rather than trying to run the junk though the pump and drain system
Chuck Parker
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Thanks. I've been cleaning it out a little at a time when it's within reach. The slant helps it get where I can reach it and there's not much more. Hopefully the other 2 tanks don't have it.
"Nauti Seahorse"
2001 C36 MK ii. #2011