Dirty Bilge...Grr

[djboots]

Ok i'm completley disscusted with the way my bilge looks.

First while winterizing my water system I got a bunch of red pop down in the bilge. While bypassing my hot water tank My fitting came loose and let a bunch of it all down in the bilge.

Then just from me trampling around down there with installing stero systems, oil changes, winterizing ect....it is a total diasater. There is black **** caked around my drain hole so things aren't draining well.

I feel like I cant get it back to spic and span like I'd like it. Im sure you all know that with a Sundancer there is not any easy way to maneuver down there to srub it down well.

Any ideas on how others clean there bilges and how do I get it back to being totally dry?????

 

[Weave]

Check out Todd's (Nehelannia) post.....His bilge is immaculate!

 

[Chatuge]

I had a valet company come and do mine. I watched them do it. They used a jetwash on a very low pressure so that it didn't spray everywhere. They took the rear bung out of the bilge so that it all drained away quickly. When they have the majority of the muck out they used sponges to clean it all down, then jetwashed it all through again. Then finally in the delicate areas and around the drains they used paintbrushes to free up all dirt. They it was all towel dried.

 

[Lazy Daze]

No "easy" way to get it totally clean. Contortionism comes to mind. :smt101 Is there a kid in the area that's looking for some extra cash?

Get it wet, spray it down with cleaner of choice or boat soap.

A brush on a stick will help to get under the engine. Maybe one with an extendable handle so you can vary the length.

Spray it out with garden hose. Work "backwards" on your way up and out.

You'll have to clean the garboard drain out first. Pull things through from the outside and blast the hose right at the drain. Hopefully you've got it blocked with the bow high enough that it drains quickly. Otherwise, shop vac.

 

[Pseudomind]

Simple Green, dump it in and wipe all of bilge letting it sit for awhile, some small stiff brushes, a wet/dry vacuum, and a few gallons of elbow grease, with a liberal amount of conrtortionist spray, plus as mentioned a liberal amount of papers towels.

:huh:

 

[rcknecht]

I usually have my servants clean my bilge, but when they are busy, I pour Tide w/bleach in the bilge and spray it with a hose. I pump as much out with the bilge pump, then brush and repeat... I plan on hand pumping out the balance of the water and towel drying the bilge.

 

[Nehalennia]

Simple Green, dump it in and wipe all of bilge letting it sit for awhile, some small stiff brushes, a wet/dry vacuum, and a few gallons of elbow grease, with a liberal amount of conrtortionist spray, plus as mentioned a liberal amount of papers towels.

:huh:

Me too + sponges instead of paper towels. I don't want the miss any paper that may break up to clog a bilge pump.
Luckily I trailer so I can flush it out the garboard plug drain as well.
Here's a picture when I bought my boat. I was disgusted by the very little "bilge water" and it wasn't that bad.

and after. I keep it this way for the above reasons.

 

[Chatuge]

Me too + sponges instead of paper towels. I don't want the miss any paper that may break up to clog a bilge pump.
Luckily I trailer so I can flush it out the garboard plug drain as well.
Here's a picture when I bought my boat. I was disgusted by the very little "bilge water" and it wasn't that bad.

and after. I keep it this way for the above reasons.

Have you resprayed those flywheels? Your engine looks immaculate!!!!

 

[djboots]

"garboard drain" Never heard that term before......we are just talking about the regular old drain plug at bottom of transom..right??

 

[Nehalennia]

Have you resprayed those flywheels? Your engine looks immaculate!!!!

No I haven't. I think I need to run the engine with a wire brush and re-touch them though.
Thanks for the compliment

"garboard drain" Never heard that term before......we are just talking about the regular old drain plug at bottom of transom..right??

Yes same thing.

 

[Summerwind]

My servants lovingly clean my bilge but then again Im an elegant owner.

 

[Dave S]

"garboard drain" Never heard that term before......we are just talking about the regular old drain plug at bottom of transom..right??

Yes.......that is a term that is used for the transom drain plug.

I also use simple green in the bilge if it get's real dirty. It is environmentally friendly and smells good as well. I use a regular garden sprayer to get the Simple Green into spaces that would other wise be difficult to reach. Let it soak for about five minutes and use a hose to rinse it off. Most of the dirt and crud comes right off with a hose. Stubborn dirt and stains may need to be cleaned by hand.

Dave

 

[Zorba]

Todd,

Is your Boat Canadian or was the previous owner a Canadian? The reason i ask is becasu of the Litre not Liter on you flame arrestor cover.

Then again maybe they are all this way.

 

[Nehalennia]

Todd,

Is your Boat Canadian or was the previous owner a Canadian? The reason i ask is becasu of the Litre not Liter on you flame arrestor cover.

Then again maybe they are all this way.

Not that I know of. It was built in the Riverview plant and shipped directly as ordered by the PO to Lake Union Searay.

They may all be that way but I never noticed.

 

[Inmotion]

Mine are like that also, twin 4.3s, from the Arizona Plant and it's spelled Litre

 

[The Bill Collector]

Simple green, scrub brush, wash mitt, fresh water, wet/dry shop vac, sponges, towels and then a WD40 type product to mist everything down with....

 

[Sundancer]

Todd has the cleanest bilge, but he cheated! He removed his engine to GET it that clean!! OK, I'm still jealous!!

You guys keep forgetting the MOST important items required when cleaning! First, you need a six pack because you can't do it with less than one beer. The beer dulls the pain and sharp edges you will hit with your hands. Second, you'll need an aspirin for the contortionist part later on!!

 

[Nehalennia]

Todd has the cleanest bilge, but he cheated! He removed his engine to GET it that clean!! OK, I'm still jealous!!

You guys keep forgetting the MOST important items required when cleaning! First, you need a six pack because you can't do it with less than one beer. The beer dulls the pain and sharp edges you will hit with your hands. Second, you'll need an aspirin for the contortionist part later on!!

Yeah but you can still get it that way with your prescription of beverages.

Disclaimer. I don't take my engine out everytime I clean it.

 

[wish2fish]

or you can just take this and not worry about it!

 

[kpetry]

me too + sponges instead of paper towels. I don't want the miss any paper that may break up to clog a bilge pump.
Luckily i trailer so i can flush it out the garboard plug drain as well.
Here's a picture when i bought my boat. I was disgusted by the very little "bilge water" and it wasn't that bad.

and after. I keep it this way for the above reasons.

I'm not worthy!