Reprise/Update: Nasty stuff in my bilge

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Stephen Trapani

Stephen Trapani

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Jun 3, 2004
298
'79 Hunter 33' HUN33190M79L Olympia
On 12-27-10 I asked about some strange looking stuff leaking out of a hole in the fiberglass in my bilge. You can see that post and responses here:

http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=125367&#post775176

The two leading guesses were mold and butyl calk. I have not been back to the boat since getting the responses until last weekend. On the left is a picture from 12-27. On the right is the new picture from last weekend 24 hours after I sprayed it with 50% bleach mixture. Other than the lower portion of the stuff where it comes in contact with bilge water, it looks unchanged in two months and then 24 hours of bleach. I don't know if 24 hours is enough time to see a difference from the bleach or if this new information helps rule out mold. It appears there has been no further leakage or any other changes. What do you think?
 

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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
I would suggest that you clean your bilge and see what happens. This is really disgusting.
 
Stephen Trapani

Stephen Trapani

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Jun 3, 2004
298
'79 Hunter 33' HUN33190M79L Olympia
Steve, If possible I would rather figure out what it is before I wash it away. Since there has been no further leakage in 2 months this might be my only chance to figure out what it is. If it's calking, I can just seal the hole. If it's mold, maybe I shouldn't seal the hole.
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
If it is caulking it is not going to clean up with soap & water. Chances are there will be more stuff leaking out of there so I would clean it up and would not worry about sealing up the hole. Just my opinion.

The butyl caulking is rather sticky goo.
 
Stephen Trapani

Stephen Trapani

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Jun 3, 2004
298
'79 Hunter 33' HUN33190M79L Olympia
It appears not to have leaked or changed at all in the two months since I first saw it. When I touched it, there was pretty much no stickiness to it. It feels like jelly. It will wipe right off. So...not butyl then? If it's still there and unchanged when I go back in a month, I'll clean it up, but I would rather know what it is first. If that's the case then it is not mold either, according to RichH who said the bleach should affect it. Hmm...
 
RichH

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Stephan
Suggest you contact your local Health Department and request that they accept a 'swab' (wipe with clean/new Q-tip) in a sealed plastic bag/container and see if they wont 'culture' this for ID. Health Departments should now be well versed in the ID of possible toxic fungal, etc. species.
Failing that, I'd mix up a saturated/strong solution of TSP, apply ... and if it liquifies /dissolves then you can almost bet the farm that this is a fungal, etc. Strong Lye solution would be better but Im not going to suggest that unless you have some in-depth chemical knowledge/experience because of the danger and very long 'healing' that follows.
 
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