Bilge Cleaner

I

imspacemancraig

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May 24, 2009
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31301
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Wasn't sure where to post this question, so thought I would start with some fellow Carver owners first.

I have a '86 Carver Mariner 3297. So, the back deck covers the engine compartment. Over the last few years I finally discovered why I always find water in the middle of the boat underneath the galley floor. Basically it is rain water that comes from the engine compartment and makes its way to the lowest area which happens to be under the galley floor.

Good news is that it never gets above a certain level as the bilge pumps gets it then, but the bad news is that I have about 5 gallons of water that could be sitting there for a week until I get up to it and vacuum it out.

My plan is to install another bilge pump in the spring to handle the water, but what I am more concerned with is the smell of the stagnant water and the oil that makes is way forward.

Can anyone suggest a good bilge cleaner that can sit in the bilge for a week that would break this stuff down before I get a chance to clean it up? I have used the Seabrite stuff which works well on the smell, but not so good on the oil break down. It also says to just leave in for 24 hours, but would like to have something I could add in there before I leave for the week that could keep break down the smell. I know I won't be able to get all the water out and I can't really stop the water from getting in completely, although I keep the deck drains clean etc, some will manage to get in no matter what.

Thoughts?
 
Simple Green, Zep or Greased Lightning degreaser, Dawn dish soap, Tide with bleach laundry soap, etc.
 
Awsome!! Found at a dollar store for 1.00 per bottle, twill clean anything !
 
Are those all safe to leave in the bilge for a long period of time? Like a week or so? I would think the Tide with Bleach might not be a good idea, but then again it isn't full on bleach.

Also, would any of those harm a bilge pump? Like with the Dawn, too many suds make the pump fail?

I like the Tide and Dawn idea. Dawn good on grease, but the Tide would have a pleasant smell to things.

I have used that "Awesome" stuff on other things around the house, but didn't think of using that in the bilge, and you are right, very cheap idea.
 
I don't worry about pumping my bilge dry. I just pump it down to where the bilge pump can't get anymore water. But before I leave the boat for the week, I take my spray bottle of Greased Lightning and spray a light coat on top of the water in the bilge. Just a couple of ounces is enough to keep the water from getting a funky smell. Do it every week and I don't have any smell problems from the bilge.
 
quote:
Originally posted by imspacemancraig

Are those all safe to leave in the bilge for a long period of time?

Click to expand...


Yes. And suds shouldn't harm a bilge pump.
 
I like Simple Green, I buy it at Home Depot, $9.99 a gallon, and it goes a long way.
 
Cool, thanks for the suggestions! That Seabrite or other stuff can get expensive and doesn't seem to always do the trick.
 
This year is the first year I have actually got in the bilge and cleaned every nook and cranny.

I too degreased everything and then simple green'd everything. I have a nice shinny bilge again!
 
I power washed the engine compartment after winterizing (careful not to get the engine soaking wet) and got the center area cleaned out really well. In the spring I plan to get in there with the de-greasers and the the stuff above to really get this cleaned out.

I have read about those ozone appliances to help kill the smell of things, but that just seems to be a cover up for the real issue. So, figure I am going to attack the cleanup and then try and figure out where/how to add another pump to remove that so it doesn't sit there...
 
aridbilge.com seems to have an interesting product for this problem, don't know if anyone has looked at, or tried this? Seems pricey, but potentially effective.
 
OK, would love to hear from anyone who has or tried one one of these arid bilge things to see if this works. Looks like a fancier bilge pump, but not sure.
 
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