Connecting the dots

[Guest]

In the years since we purchased Belle-Vie in 2002, a 1991 P42, the bilge has always contained a certain amount of water; some fresh and some sea. I fixed the fresh water leak when we she was on the hard for some repairs in 2002. Check out the articles that I wrote in the Hunter Owner Modification tab above where I describe in detail how I fixed that leak.

Sea water flowed into the bilge from the stuffing box slowly dripping while underway. No big deal so I let the bilge pump scavenge the sea water overboard. The only trouble was it always left about an inch of sea water between periodic scavenge cycles; no worries.

Ever since we owned her there has always been a funky odor that would accumulate on our clothes and food. The admiral always thought it was diesel, but no leaks. Okay, so while cruising I kept scented candles, incense sticks, diffusers and other paraphernalia emanating scents to mask the odor.

Not to digress, but after the boat sat for a few weeks, the first time we used our raw water toilets the sea water had a rotten egg smell from rotting marine life in the line between the sea cock and the toilet. Again no big deal, just open the port lights during the first flush so as to diffuse the oder and all is well after that.

Finally to my point. Two weeks ago I came to the boat for some prep work before our holiday trip. While there I made an effort to remove all of the sea water from the bilge and wiped it dry. Marvel that when I opened the companion way hatch this weekend absent the familiar funky boat odor. Even my cloths smelled, duh normal. Even the bilge smelled, well nice.

Happy Holidays

Terry Cox

 

[Rick D]

Equals: Dipless Shaft Seal

...maybe?

 

[timvg]

We have a dripless stuffing box, but always have a little fresh water in the bilge. My wife cleans the fridge and freezer about once a month, so the water drains into the bilge. The boat always smells just fine.

 

[Guest]

Shower sump

The aft shower sump is located beneath the sole hatch board at the bottom of the companion way ladder. It has a sump pump with float switch, but no seacock, that discharges above the water line port side through hull. A shower sump switch on the power panel must be activated for it to operate properly.

Our sit tub drain stopper will pop up to allow water to flow to the sump. We use the shower almost every day during the cruising season. The drain will become clogged with gunk (soap, hair, etc.) after a period of time. Draino seems to work pretty well on ours. After the Draino has set in the drain line for the designated period of time I will normally use a plunger to agitate the line to break loose any stubborn material. Flows freely after that.

It helps with the agitation if the drain port on the sump side is covered with water. You have to shut the sump switch off to get this level of water in the sump. One other consideration. The sump pump will not get all the water out. After a cruise I first use a plastic cup to remove the majority of sump water, then a kitchen baster or sponge to remove any remaining waste water, otherwise the soapy residue will rot and stink up the boat after a week of warm weather.

The two reefers drain into the aft head shower sump. I keep both drain ports plugged on the sump side of the line with a small stopper to keep cold air from leaking through the drain port. Even though fresh water it does develop an objectionable odor, all the more reason to keep the sump dry.

Terry Cox

 

[timvg]

My arms aren't long enough to get the last cup or so of water out of the bilge, even after I use a handheld bilge pump.

 

[windward54]

We use a bailing sponge! takes a few minutes, but you can get most of the water out even from the deep bilge.

My arms aren't long enough to get the last cup or so of water out of the bilge, even after I use a handheld bilge pump.

 

[Head Master18695]

Shop-Vac?