Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > Polls

View Poll Results: Is your bilge wet or dry?
Bone dry 11 10.58%
Wet but I wish it weren't 49 47.12%
Wet as I would expect 44 42.31%
Voters: 104. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 24.152.131.155
Old 03-23-2012, 06:54 PM
ndutton's Avatar
ndutton ndutton is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,619
Thanks: 198
Thanked 2,208 Times in 1,425 Posts
Dry or wet bilge?

What is your preference or reality when it comes to the bilge?
__________________
Neil
1977 Catalina 30
San Pedro, California
prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 71.183.116.60
Old 03-23-2012, 10:59 PM
Loki9's Avatar
Loki9 Loki9 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 379
Thanks: 0
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
It's dry now, but that may change once she's launched. Ask me again April 3rd.
__________________
Jeff Taylor
Baltic 38DP
Reply With Quote
  #3   IP: 71.252.27.159
Old 03-23-2012, 11:29 PM
sastanley's Avatar
sastanley sastanley is online now
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Solomons, MD
Posts: 7,016
Thanks: 1,134
Thanked 600 Times in 442 Posts
Thumbs up dry dry dry

I sponge that s#!t dry. Hopefully, Bill & Don won't mind the profanity.

The best thing I did to help facilitate this was gore-tex (sp?) packing in my stuffing box, and also installing a check valve in the bilge pump..I was still sponging it dry without the check valve, but it just means less to sponge. When we are draining the water out of the ice box (I have an yet-to-be-installed pump) I pump & sponge it straight away.

It was really my stepfather and his Tartan 3000 which I've done a zillion sailing miles on that taught me the advantages of a dry bilge..when I used his boat, I kept his boat in the same condition he would...dry. it is a habit...and it isn't difficult.

I also think it really helps keep the odd boat smells down. The P.O. left 3" of water in the bilge from 1977 to 2008. Blech....
__________________
-Shawn
"Holiday" - '89 Alura 35 #109
"Twice Around" - '77 C-30, #511 with original A-4 & MMI manifold - SOLD! (no longer a two boat owner!!)
http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/signaturepics/sigpic3231_6.gif
Reply With Quote
  #4   IP: 68.59.35.55
Old 03-24-2012, 05:01 AM
sailbristol's Avatar
sailbristol sailbristol is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Charleston,Sc
Posts: 137
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
m bilge pump is at the bottom of a 4 ft long bar that is lowered into the bilge ,o there is no way I can wipe it dry booo hooo
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 96.248.13.91
Old 03-24-2012, 08:30 AM
ILikeRust's Avatar
ILikeRust ILikeRust is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Henrico, VA
Posts: 2,202
Thanks: 2
Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts
Dunno if any of the three choices really accurately describe my sitcheeayshun, but I picked number 3 - it's about as wet as I would expect, which is "not very".

Normally, it's very close to "bone dry." I still have some cabin roof leaks, so when we get a bunch of rain, I'll find a small puddle down in there. Right now, the hose from the hot section to the old Vetus doesn't fit the Vetus intake quite right, so it spits a little bit of water when the engine is running - a condition I will fix eventually. So that ends up in the bilge, making it wetter than it normally would be otherwise.

The stuffing box doesn't leak at all.

So I'll go with "as wet as I would expect."

The previous owner didn't have an automatic bilge pump in the boat. He had it that way for the eight years he owned it. Even the old Par pump that was in there rarely ever saw any use. I have put a brand new Rule automatic bilge pump in there, and unless I've been motoring for a while (which spits water into the bilge as explained above), it never gets any use either.
__________________
- Bill T.
- Richmond, VA

Relentless pursuer of lost causes
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 24.224.206.117
Old 03-24-2012, 08:40 AM
Mo's Avatar
Mo Mo is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Halifax NS,
Posts: 4,470
Thanks: 292
Thanked 411 Times in 272 Posts
Smile ...just something I do.

I have a hole drilled in the lowest part of the keel. On the hard the keel is dry, and the whole boat stays dry although not covered. No condensation in the boat as she is on the hard from Nov till April. Drilling that hole was the best thing I ever did.

Once the boat goes in the water I get a little bit of water. After a rain water will come all the way down the keel stepped mast...after a good day of rain there will be enough to run the bilge. While in the water there is always a small drop there that the pump can't throw out.

NOTE: I keep a 4 liter jug of vinegar in the boat. I pour a bit in after running the pump...just a 1/2 cup or so. This combined with the water left in there keeps the bilge smell GONE.

Just the other day it was 30C here and I pressure washed the inside of the boat. Took everything out and layed it on deck. Used citrus cleaner and sprayed under cockpit, lazarettes, bilge, area under V-bert. Don't really notice dirt there until you give it a good cleaning. This is my spring cleaning. Left the boat open and it dried out by evening. Thats another benefit of a hole drilled in the boat...it all runs out! Do not try pressure washing your teak etc. Yesterday I gave the teak bulkhead, teak floor etc a wipe with vinegar on a cloth...then applied teak oil. It came up nice. Only thing left to do is clean the shelves and counter top where I was laying everything.

Weather cool here again today but if the weather breaks next week I'll put her sails, propane, dodger, beer etc on and back her in the water.
__________________
Mo

"Odyssey"
1976 C&C 30 MKI

The pessimist complains about the wind.
The optimist expects it to change.
The realist adjusts the sails.
...Sir William Arthur Ward.
Reply With Quote
  #7   IP: 96.248.13.91
Old 03-24-2012, 08:58 AM
ILikeRust's Avatar
ILikeRust ILikeRust is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Henrico, VA
Posts: 2,202
Thanks: 2
Thanked 23 Times in 21 Posts
Maurice - what do you with that hole when you put the boat back in the water?
__________________
- Bill T.
- Richmond, VA

Relentless pursuer of lost causes
Reply With Quote
  #8   IP: 72.92.236.118
Old 03-24-2012, 10:54 AM
Newenglandah Newenglandah is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Wickford
Posts: 23
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I ended up putting a hole in the bottom of the keel on my ericson, I noticed it was weeping for about two weeks after she was pulled and docked in my yard. I drilled the hole with a 1/2" angle drill, about 9/16 and water gushed out of there for an hour. Turns out the glass over steel construction of the keel is cored with foam. it was totally waterlogged. uppon further investigation of the problem (WHERE DID IT ALL COME FROM!!!!) I found that someone installed a bilge pump with 5/16 3inch long stainless carriage bolts drilled straight into said foam........... maybe if I had tried to keep the bilge dry I would have noticed this problem earlier. So on my pearson that's sailing this year?.....Dry
Reply With Quote
  #9   IP: 72.92.236.118
Old 03-24-2012, 10:56 AM
Newenglandah Newenglandah is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Wickford
Posts: 23
Thanks: 0
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
[QUOTE=Maurice;51312]I have a hole drilled in the lowest part of the keel.

You do fill that hole with something when she go's swimming, rite?
Reply With Quote
  #10   IP: 24.224.206.117
Old 03-24-2012, 11:25 AM
Mo's Avatar
Mo Mo is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Halifax NS,
Posts: 4,470
Thanks: 292
Thanked 411 Times in 272 Posts
Smile

Did this a few years back. Drilled and tapped the hole..about and inch diameter (I'd have to double check). Bought a piece of threaded brass (threaded both inside and outside). Also bought a brass plug that would thread into the inner part of the piece.

I then put epoxy resin with some cilica beads mixed in both in the hole and on the threads of the tubular piece of pipe (this is the one threaded on the outside and inside. Screwed it into the hole in the boat and let it set up. Next day I screwed the brass plug into it to check...all good. Removed the plug and faired around the edge of the tubing with epoxy, sanded and was done.

When the boat comes out I screw out the plug...and back in before launch....I'll go take a couple of pics in an hour or so.


OK got the pics.

PIC 1. In the first one you will note that the tube/ pipe is threaded on the inside...the outer part of the tube is threaded as well and screwed into the boat. That is epoxied into the boat so that it can't come out...even if hit.

PIC 2. Direct shot looking into the boat. You can see the opposite side of the bilge. Note that the bottom of the hole is at the bottom and lowest part of the bilge so that it can drain completely. Can also see a ground wire going through there

PIC 3. Plug that screws into the pipe. It screws in all the way until the square portion is all that sticks out. "Pipe thread" so it doesn't require any sealant and it doesn't leak.

PIC 4. Where the hole goes on a C&C 30 .... that's the lowest part of the bilge as it's a little deeper under the mast step
Attached Images
     
__________________
Mo

"Odyssey"
1976 C&C 30 MKI

The pessimist complains about the wind.
The optimist expects it to change.
The realist adjusts the sails.
...Sir William Arthur Ward.

Last edited by Mo; 03-24-2012 at 06:40 PM. Reason: went to boat for pics
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mo For This Useful Post:
blhickson (11-06-2018), Graham (11-06-2018)
  #11   IP: 24.224.206.117
Old 03-24-2012, 11:58 AM
Mo's Avatar
Mo Mo is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Halifax NS,
Posts: 4,470
Thanks: 292
Thanked 411 Times in 272 Posts
Newenglandah,

There is more to that little problem now than meets the eye. First you will have to investigate and know how it is constructed. Next year when you pull the boat drill at the very bottom of the foam and let it drain and dry. You need that hole in a spot where gravity lets it all run out. Then, just before you are ready to launch you will have to close the holes with fiberglass or epoxy resin.

One of the worst things that can happen to fiberglass construction is water trapped in a dead space.
__________________
Mo

"Odyssey"
1976 C&C 30 MKI

The pessimist complains about the wind.
The optimist expects it to change.
The realist adjusts the sails.
...Sir William Arthur Ward.
Reply With Quote
  #12   IP: 76.241.25.254
Old 03-24-2012, 12:02 PM
dvd's Avatar
dvd dvd is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: San Joaquin Delta, California
Posts: 449
Thanks: 3
Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts
Always wet. Dont know if it is from slow drip at shaft,or weepy keel bolts or combination.

dvd
Reply With Quote
  #13   IP: 174.94.18.234
Old 04-08-2012, 01:26 PM
67c&ccorv's Avatar
67c&ccorv 67c&ccorv is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London, ON
Posts: 1,559
Thanks: 4
Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maurice View Post
Did this a few years back. Drilled and tapped the hole..about and inch diameter (I'd have to double check). Bought a piece of threaded brass (threaded both inside and outside). Also bought a brass plug that would thread into the inner part of the piece.

I then put epoxy resin with some cilica beads mixed in both in the hole and on the threads of the tubular piece of pipe (this is the one threaded on the outside and inside. Screwed it into the hole in the boat and let it set up. Next day I screwed the brass plug into it to check...all good. Removed the plug and faired around the edge of the tubing with epoxy, sanded and was done.

When the boat comes out I screw out the plug...and back in before launch....I'll go take a couple of pics in an hour or so.

Mo - "threaded brass"?

Or, threaded bronze?

Big difference...especially in a salt water boat.

Reply With Quote
  #14   IP: 73.173.165.224
Old 11-25-2017, 04:08 AM
dwkfym dwkfym is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 32
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by sailbristol View Post
m bilge pump is at the bottom of a 4 ft long bar that is lowered into the bilge ,o there is no way I can wipe it dry booo hooo
Me too! I hate this bar. I wish mine was screwed right into the keel but if it were, I'd never be able to service it. Must be a Bristol thing (B30 here)
Reply With Quote
  #15   IP: 32.211.28.40
Old 11-05-2018, 10:43 PM
Al Schober's Avatar
Al Schober Al Schober is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Uncasville, CT
Posts: 2,002
Thanks: 16
Thanked 578 Times in 405 Posts
Maybe it is a 'Bristol' thing. I used to own a 38' Bristol trawler (twin Perkins 6-354s) that also had the deep bilge with the pump on the end of a stick. Thought it was a nice design and saw no reason to change it although I did modify it a bit.
Biggest bilge pump flaw with that boat is that there were 3 pumps, all off the same breaker. They were nicely staged for different depth in the bilge. Final pump was the size of a gallon paint can. Total current draw for all three pumps exceeded the breaker capacity! No idea if that was factory or PO.
Reply With Quote
  #16   IP: 24.15.213.188
Old 10-26-2020, 03:31 PM
Sam Sam is online now
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 322
Thanks: 490
Thanked 140 Times in 109 Posts
I have a 1966 Morgan 34 with 3/4 keel/centerboard. This produces a deep "v" shaped bilge aft engine. There is always a couple of inches of water in the bilge from heavy rains overpowering the cockpit lazzerette drains, air scoops, keel step mast, drips from stuffing box and cutlass bearing. There are two direct to batteries auto bilge pumps in the bilge [one on top of the other one] to insure water does not ever excessively accumulate. Any slight "odor" is handled by emptying a bottle of cheap $1 dish soap in the bilge, foaming in it up with water from a hose - letting it settle and pumping it out. I do this in the spring, once mid season and winter haul out. No real issues for 40 + years. FYI
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Bilge alarms ILikeRust General Interest 8 10-21-2011 06:29 AM
Cleaning Oil from Bilge rheaton General Maintenance 4 01-14-2010 06:09 AM
Bilge Blower Placement swokrams General Interest 13 06-17-2008 11:27 AM
Bilge Blower COB General Interest 1 07-26-2007 05:32 PM
Emergency Bilge Pump (T in water intake) sailorken General Interest 0 11-05-2005 08:40 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:17 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.


Universal® is a registered trademark of Westerbeke Corporation

Copyright © 2004-2024 Moyer Marine Inc.

All Rights Reserved