6 replies to this topic

[Greg]

I just bought a 94 speedster. The first boat I've had in my 47 years. I was told it sat for a season, tied up to the dock without being used ( leading to both engine rebuilds prior to my ownership). The floor locker and the engine area showed signs of having high water in them (with an oily film left behind on the fiberglass, engines, etc.). I sprayed everything with a mild degreaser and pressure washed locker, engines, and engine compartment out. I tilted the boat and let it drain for several hours, mopped up any left over standing water with a towel, and left the engine and locker open for a couple days to allow for any residual water to evaporate. Each day the small depression where the bilge pump sits fills with oily water. I dry it out and I can see water seeping back in, likely from a crack or flaw in the fiberglass (in the bilge depression). Has anyone had this problem? Should I remove the bilge pump, drill through the floor and see if I can pump out water that may be between the locker floor and the bottom of the hull? Any thoughts or guidance would be helpful.

[thumper]

sounds like there is some water within the hull construction - remove th bilge pump and let it escape - jack the trailer nose up may assist its drainage - i would avoid drilling any holes unless you are confident that you can repair it perfectly.
bear in mind that this is just wild guess! good luck

[Serbmarine]

I think thumper is right on target, try to stay away from holes if you can. Get some Bilge Cleaner and throw that in the bilge with some water and try to slosh it around as best you can then drain it. Then just keep the bilge rinsed out after you use it each time.

[thumper]

you could also take the bilge pump out and where the screws go into the fibreglass you could put a piece of some special type of cloth which draws moisture out of things - its particularly used in marine applications as it holds a ridiculous amount of water - any decent chandler should be able to help - i think its called bilgeclean or something like that - it may help draw the moisture out of the hull a bit quicker than normal.

just a thought

[Serbmarine]

Most of the time to get a clean depthfinder install I have found that a Shop-Vac at the lowest point in the bilge for about 3 hours works pretty well.......

[Greg]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I really like the wicking material idea.

[Greg]

Update: I found the problem: The bilge pump hose does not reach the bottom of the bilge. However, I was able to acces the bilge throught a small space between a metal plate and the bottom of the hull just forward of the engines. I used a turkey baister with 2 feet of hose attached. I managed to suck up about 1/2 a gallon of chocolate milk colored (oil/water) solution. It took about 30 minutes of contorted postures in the engine compartment. A longer hose on the bilge pump is the solution. Thanks for the info and ideas.