Oh so dirty bilges

[Project_Mayhem]

Many of us dont have the luxury of a dry bilge for various reasons which are (or should be) on our to do list. If boat smells usually come from the bilge, then I think it would be fair to say that the smell is due to something such as mold, mildew or something else living. If this is the case, then in theory, wouldn't bottom paint, which is a biocide, help to eliminate this problem should water accumulate? Some bilges are nearly impossible to keep dry without a sponge. The O'Day 25 is one of those due to a small, pocket that won't fit a bilge pump.

Aside from this theory, what are your favorite methods to clean and treat a freshwater bilge?

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Ahh ..the bilge of Oday 25 ..Slim indeed ..I found that if you remove the fiberglass support and cut a little into the sole . You can put a fair size bilge in . Reintall the step support .. Every else is going to suggest resolving the leaking fluids,,

 

[Terry Cox]

I use a citrus liquid bilge soap from WM (it was free) that helps to break up gunk, and leaves the bilge smelling like oranges. Afterwards I use a baster to extract the remaining sea water after each cruise to leave it dry until the next.

 

[Tally Ho]

My engine bilge looked like crap when I bought Tally Ho. And the regular bilge was pretty dank and nasty, I do have a bilge pump, but it leaves some water in the bottom.



I scrubbed the engine bilge, and painted it….made a huge difference.
I also changed out the old stuffing box with a Volvo dripless shaft seal. Also made a big difference.

For the main bilge, I first searched for leaks (deck leaks mostly) and fixed those. That kept most of the water out of the bilge. Whenever I get water in the bilge, I try to use a shop vac to suck it out and get the bilge se dry as I can. When the weather is dry, the bilge will be bone dry. I picked up a wet/dry dust buster over the winter and will try thst to suck up any water so I don’t need to break out the big shop vac.

i haven’t painted my main bilge yet. I don’t want to paint the bolts, so have to take care when and if I paint it.


Greg

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Ahh ..the bilge of Oday 25 ..Slim indeed ..I found that if you remove the fiberglass support and cut a little into the sole . You can put a fair size bilge in . Reintall the step support .. Every else is going to suggest resolving the leaking fluids,,

Are you referring to the pendant tube as the fiberglass support? Did you end up going with a fan, fluid pump or both?

I use a citrus liquid bilge soap from WM (it was free) that helps to break up gunk, and leaves the bilge smelling like oranges. Afterwards I use a baster to extract the remaining sea water after each cruise to leave it dry until the next.

The Starbrite Citrus got the best ratings in a 2006 Practical Sailor shootout. I wonder if the WM is the same exact product?

I scrubbed the engine bilge, and painted it….made a huge difference.

Cleaning and painting it made a big difference in the smell?

 

[Tally Ho]

Cleaning and painting it made a big difference in the smell?

Yes…maybe a combination of all of the cleaning, sanding a bit where needed, paint and then keeping it clean and dry.

Greg

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Project Mayhem , no I'm not referring to the fiberglass tube . On our 25 , 1981 ,there is a step on the port side about halfway between the countertop and the sole . It has a teak step that flips up . We usually use this as our garbage receptacle. The whole unit unscrews from the sole .

 

[dmax]

You might be able to fit something along the lines of what this guy did, keeps your bilge perfectly dry automatically: Build Your Own DIY Arid Bilge or Dry Bilge System

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Project Mayhem , no I'm not referring to the fiberglass tube . On our 25 , 1981 ,there is a step on the port side about halfway between the countertop and the sole . It has a teak step that flips up . We usually use this as our garbage receptacle. The whole unit unscrews from the sole .

Oh that's a much different configuration! Does it look like this? Did you end up installing a fan or a pump in the aft end of the bilge?

You might be able to fit something along the lines of what this guy did, keeps your bilge perfectly dry automatically: Build Your Own DIY Arid Bilge or Dry Bilge System

@Timm R Oday25 and I were chatting a while back about potential options for the tiny "well" in the back of our bilges. We both had the idea of using a small computer fan to evaporate the remaining water that most pumps leave behind.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

That is exactly the same as ours . I removed the whole step assembly by simply taking the screws out . On the port side of the centerboard tube ,I very carefylly cut just enough of the sole to mount a horizontal bilge pump .

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

@Timm R Oday25 and I were chatting a while back about potential options for the tiny "well" in the back of our bilges. We both had the idea of using a small computer fan to evaporate the remaining water that most pumps leave behind.

I used a dinghy bailer pump, big car wash sponge and a bucket to get the last pint or two of water out of a small well in the bilge of my last boat. However that well was super accessible on my boat...that may not be true for you. Your fan idea may take too long to work in humid conditions.

--Peggie

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Peggie ,as always thanks . My initial intent was to use a small 12 volt "muffin fan" powered by it's own solar panel . This fan will be mounted facing out through a hatch board . I'm probably not being very descriptive or accurate . The plus is , I have an ulimited supply of fans and several unused 15 watt panels . I hope this helps clarify . You have my respect and gratitude .

 

[All U Get]

Try a urinal freshener mat.