Mystery Residue in Bilge

[Bob Camarena]

I've been noticing a fine residue in my bilge after sailing. I haven't tested it yet to determine what it is, but it seems to have the consistency of very fine sand (like hourglass sand or even finer) and is a similar off-white color. It seems more prevalent after a rousing sail on SF Bay than in the Delta. I can't imagine what it could be. Any ideas? When I go to the boat this weekend I'm going to take a sample and run some tests (does it burn?, etc.).

 

[Stan Rogacevicz]

Construction Residue

Bob, since it appears after a "rousing sail" my guess would be that a little bilge or new water from whatever source sloshed around to places where there is still some sawdust, fiberglass dust, etc..... Found its way back to the bilge, evaporated and left the residue.Stan"Christy Leigh"c320 #656

 

[Jon W]

Stan is correct.

I'm still getting fiberglass dust, left over from cutting and drilling during construction, that sifts down to the lower portions of my five month old boat. I've tried vacuuming the areas I can reach, but extreme angles of heel or pounding seem to dislodge more of it. You can never get it all out, but it diminishes over time. I did remove the sock/rag, extra screws, and used tape rolls out of the bilge area. I guess cleaning up during construction would add considerably to the cost of a new boat. Anyway, the bilge pump trapped a lot of the debris the first time it was used (until it clogged up).

 

[Fritz Merizon]

Same problem...

I've had the same problem on my 1999 C-36. After two years, the dust is still making its way into the bilge. I have cleaned repeatedly and hopefully the stuff is almost gone.

 

[Bob]

That was My Assumption

My assumption was consistent with the previous responses, what puzzled me about it was that my boat is a 1983 and I would have assumed that most of this would have found its way to the bilge before now. I guess there could be a lot of it trapped in somewhat inaccessible areas that continues to filter down over time. I'll try burning some this weekend and if it smells like fiberglass I think we will have solved the mystery. I'll report back on my findings.

 

[Ed P.]

Salt O'the Sea

What you are probably experiencing is the salt that remains after the water evaporates. What is probably happening is that some of the water that gets into the cockpit, finds it way into the bilge, and after a time, the water evaporates leaving a fine and sometimes granular residue.