Someone mentioned in a current topic, that people have solved the wet bilge that I have on my 1990 H30G. The ice box and shower drain into the bilge. How has anyone solved this problem? Thanks, Jim
In my 1988, I have plugged the drain and I usually place a towel on the bottom of the pan in case I need to defrost or if I spill anything. I run the refridgeration most of the year, 24/7, on & off the dock. For the shower, West Marine carries a variety of shower sumps. It's next on my list, but for now, I shop vac the bilge and sponge dry the rest when I'm done with the boat and the shower.
This is what I plan to do on my H31 when I get around to replacing my sole.........Install a sump system in the bilge (see link) and route the shower, cooler, a/c, fridge or anything else to it. This would keep your bilge dry all the time. I bet a square piece of Tupperware with the airtight lid would work as well, just wouldn't last as long.
I put a cork in the ice box drain and manually remove the melted ice. We take our showers at marinas. As a result, no excuse on my H29.5 for a wet bilge except an occasionally heavy rain when a few leaks materialize. You could eat out of my bilge... but it would be awkward.
Ice boxes, showers, packing glands are designed to drain into the bilge. Rain leaks, water tank leaks and any water that finds its way into a boat is also collected in this area so that it can be flushed out by a pump. Not much dry storage space would be gained by keeping this area dry so I fail to see the purpose of redesigning the systems to keep this area dry. Surprisingly enough, water in the bilge keeps foul odors from the inner confines of the hull from coming up to the cabin. The pump cannot get it all out as it starts sucking air and then you get the flow back from the hose so there is always a couple inches of water. If it don't stink, don't get my feet wet and I don't have to look at it the bilge its doing its job so if it isn't broken am not going to fix it.
water in the bilge produces permanant moisture in contact with the underside of your cabin sole which will eventually rot it out. Not a fun, nor cheap, job which I am facing now. Never before heard a claim that water in the bilge is helpful. Where there's water, there's mold, mildew, rot, odor, etc.....the drier, the better.
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