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#1
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Cleaning bilge
Hi,
Just purchased a 43' Gulfstar sloop. Need to clean out the bilge as completely as possible. I don't think it's ever been done. The bilge pump pumped out all it would, lots of oil under the engine, scooped up sludge around the mast. In the engine room it looks like the bilge slopes down into the keel - 5'. There is a recessed circular 'whatnot' about a foot from the bottom toward the rear of the keel. Could that possibly be a way of draining the keel completely? If so, what would be the procedure; I need to insure that oil does not empty onto the ground. If it's not a drain, please reply so. Thanks, Barbara |
#2
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You might have better luck finding an answer to your question in the
maitenance forum at: http://www.gulfstarownersclub.com/ |
#3
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Thanks,
That is a rarely used site and I've been having problems getting access to the general and maintenance forums. Thought I'd look elsewhere. Barbara wrote in message oups.com... You might have better luck finding an answer to your question in the maitenance forum at: http://www.gulfstarownersclub.com/ |
#4
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Hi, Just purchased a 43' Gulfstar sloop. Need to clean out the bilge as completely as possible. I don't think it's ever been done. The bilge pump pumped out all it would, lots of oil under the engine, scooped up sludge around the mast. In the engine room it looks like the bilge slopes down into the keel - 5'. There is a recessed circular 'whatnot' about a foot from the bottom toward the rear of the keel. Could that possibly be a way of draining the keel completely? If so, what would be the procedure; I need to insure that oil does not empty onto the ground. If it's not a drain, please reply so. Thanks, Barbara If there is no drain perhaps you could mop it out using a nappies (diapers)? Apparently they are ideal for clearing up oil, it should be easy enough to rig one (using duct tape say) on the end of a pole in order to reach down into the bilge. |
#5
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Ralph Thomas wrote:
Hi, Just purchased a 43' Gulfstar sloop. Need to clean out the bilge as completely as possible. I don't think it's ever been done. The bilge pump pumped out all it would, lots of oil under the engine, scooped up sludge around the mast. In the engine room it looks like the bilge slopes down into the keel - 5'. There is a recessed circular 'whatnot' about a foot from the bottom toward the rear of the keel. Could that possibly be a way of draining the keel completely? If so, what would be the procedure; I need to insure that oil does not empty onto the ground. If it's not a drain, please reply so. Is the boat currently on the hard? If so, shouldn't be too hard to catch the bilge water in a barrel. However...soaking up the oil first with bilge "pillows" may be the best--though not the fastest--way: add some water--but do NOT add any detergent, bilge cleaner, Simple Grean or any other cleaning product...they emulsfy oil, preventing the bilge pillows from soaking it up. Replace as necessary--disposing of 'em in approved oil disposal sites--till what's left is just dirty water. Now you can use a detergent...lots of it--followed by thoroughly flushing out ALL the dirty water. I'd use a pressure washer...none of the models sold for "home" use are powerful enough to damage gelcoat or fiberglass...beats the socks off scrubbing by hand and also gets into places you can't get to by hand. I wouldn't be without one--not only for bilge and boat "spring cleaning," but for a whole bunch of jobs at home too. I've had a 1,000 psi for 10 years that I bought to clean up the bilge (and everything else) in an old boat I'd bought that had been sitting for 5 years...just replaced it last week with a 1600 psi that I found at Sams for $127. -- Peggie ---------- Peggie Hall Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987 Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor" http://www.seaworthy.com/store/custo...0&cat=6&page=1 |
#6
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Where did you buy this GulfStar 43? I know of such a boat on the
Northern Gulf coast with quite a crazy story behind it involving an autogyro crash in the Gulf, piracy, drugs, theft and more. I wanted to buy her at one time. |
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