40.5 aft bilge area

[timvg]

The access to the forward part of the 40.5 bilge is easy and since I have a dripless stuffing box, I regularly pump out any excess water. The fridge drains into the bilge, as well as anything else (shower) that finds its way there.

My understanding is that the there is an aft bilge area and that it is connected to the front bilge with small hose. To get to it, I would need to remove the floor panel that has a cabinet directly over it. Any suggestions on an easy way to gain access, as I tried moving the floor panel, but it didn't wish to budge. Possibly, I could have a friend pull up on the cabinet (sink counter), while I slide out the access floor panel.

Has anyone done this and how? Did you slide the floor forward or aft?

Thanks,

Tim

 

[footerdog]

Bilge 40.5

There are two bilge areas, not sure if they are connected or not. I have a 1993 and always thought they were separate because they have individual bilge pumps. Access is done by removing the floor boards. Remove the two forward and the one behind the one under the cabinet. It may be hard to push, but it does slide forward. It probably has not been moved in a long time. If you can, sit on the floor and brace your back with the companion way stairs and push with your legs and have someone pull from the front. Works for me. Good luck.

 

[Rick D]

Tim, if you are talking about the panel in between the bilge access panel and the starting battery access panel, then yes. Just have someone lift up on the cabinetry as you slide it out with the other two panels removed. (I think. ;-) Good luck!

 

[artboas]

Get rid of the fridge drain !

Tim, if you are talking about the panel in between the bilge access panel and the starting battery access panel, then yes. Just have someone lift up on the cabinetry as you slide it out with the other two panels removed. (I think. ;-) Good luck!

Real mistake draining the fridge & freezer to the bilge
All the rancid food stuff gets down there, and it always stinks
Install a small shower sump box low down on the bilge, and feed the fridge & freezer drains to if. You won't regret it

 

[timvg]

Re: Get rid of the fridge drain !

We wash out the fridge and freezer on a regular basis and we have never had any odor problems in the bilge; probably because the hose that goes into the bilge is kept clean by the consistant fridge cleaning. We've had the boat since 2000 and it's always been very odor free.

We of course don't allow any food to get into the fridge or freezer drain.

 

[artboas]

Can't quite agree

We wash out the fridge and freezer on a regular basis and we have never had any odor problems in the bilge; probably because the hose that goes into the bilge is kept clean by the consistant fridge cleaning. We've had the boat since 2000 and it's always been very odor free.

We of course don't allow any food to get into the fridge or freezer drain.

Yes, by constantly flushing the drain, this will help.
But now you've got a bilge that will always have water in it.
On my 40.5 I had a dripless shaft, and a sump for the fridge & freezer.
The bilge was bone dry.
Also, if you have airco units, drain them to the same sump box.
It only makes sense.
On my 49, with 3 aircos running, etc, bilge is 100% dry.
Keeps the interior very fresh smelling

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

On the subject of refrig and freezer drains, I never could understand why anyone would not plug them up intentionally. Both act as a constant source of loss of cold air as well as water and ??? to the bilge while adding nothing of value to the system which couldn't be better served by simply cleaning the bottom periodically.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Fridge box drain hole

Don's right. Just what we do and have been recommending to others for years. Would you leave your fridge door open at home?