Storing Tools in Bilge?

[Vega1447]

I recently completed cleaning out the bilge of decades of gunge, oil drips etc. In heavy rain small amounts of water still find their way there.
I've also cleaned the glass fibre shelf that sits over the bilge pump inlet pipe on the floor of the bilge cavity.

So, what to do with all the low CG space recovered?

I've put all my tools in a heavy canvas bag onto the shelf in the bilge cavity instead of a cockpit locker.

Only concern is rust? I've sprayed wd40 over the contents of the bag and the bag will always be well above the residual inch or less of fresh water in the bilge.

Am I inevitably going to end up with rusted tools?

What do Vega sailors keep in the bilge compartment?
Beer, anchor chain?

Does anyone else store tools there?

John V1447 Breakaway

John Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick

Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie

 

[j.hunter9999]

Hi John - fortuitous timing re your post. I recently set a dry bag into the bilge and filled it with all of our tools and a few other miscellaneous items. The bag is tall, extending above the floor when open, but below the floor when sealed. Aft of the tool bag in the bilge we store wine or beer in a smaller dry bag...but that usually doesn't last there very long.

Jack

 

[Vega1447]

Thanks Jack. Fortuitous indeed - I've just remembered that I have a sealable dry bag that I can substitute for the canvas bag.

Thanks
John

John Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick

Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie

 

[tiempo2010]

I live aboard and have a lot of tools - both hand tools and power tools as
I work in the marine business, electrical and system installations. I would
not store my tools in the bilge. A better location is under the V-berth in
plastic containers. That leaves the settees and other easy to get to places
for items needed more often.

 

[Vega1447]

Thanks.
Do you use the bilge for storage of any kind - anchor chain, ...?

John V1447 BreakawayJohn Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick

Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie

 

[tiempo2010]

Only items that are sealed in containers. No chain.

My bilge is shallower - I do not own a Vega
.

 

[rchrdcoe]

I would be careful about tools in the bilge getting rusted. On beer, I once stashed a case of beer in the bilge. After a rather rough overnite, all of the cans popped and I had a bilge full of beer. I wasn't happy. Richard

 

[Vega1447]

I'll try Jack's dry bag idea for a few months and see how I do.

Thanks to all who replied.

John. V1447 Breakaway

John Kinsella
Mathematics and Statistics Dept
University of Limerick

Phone 0035361202148
Web jkcray.maths.ul.ie