How to keep my bilge dry

[climb29028]

Hi everyone. I have a 16' Double Eagle fiberglass boat with a above floor built in fuel tank that covers a large portion of my bilge making it impossible to keep it dry because I can't get to the bilge to mop up water. I really want a "bone dry" bilge in my boat and was wondering what the best way might be to dry up any water in my bilge? powerful fan? Vents? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

How much water are you talking? if not stored on the water simply remove the plug and it should dry. If more than a little after use or a rain find where it is coming in.

 

[climb29028]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

It is mostly water that has pooled after I flush out the bilge. I do remove the drain plug but I find the water takes awhile to evaporate.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

Sponge out the remaing water,let it dry.....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

Tip the front of the boat up and blow the water out the drain with an air hose.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

Tip the front of the boat up and blow the water out the drain with an air hose.

Or tip the Front DOWN and let the water come forward and then Sponge and Towel up the last drops.
The bilge plug hole is usually an inch above the hull at the transom so the last inch of water is not going to drain out.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

Or tip the Front DOWN and let the water come forward and then Sponge and Towel up the last drops.
The bilge plug hole is usually an inch above the hull at the transom so the last inch of water is not going to drain out.

Maybe if you have a fishing boat If you do that in a bowrider you probabally won't have much luck getting to were the water would be

 

[climb29028]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

That sounds like a plan. It's kind of frustrating because the fuel tank sits right on top of the bilge so I can't get my hand in there with a sponge to mop up the water. I'll try tipping the bow down to see if the water shifts forward. Why do they leave the drain plug hole about an inch above the bottom of the bilge?

 

[climb29028]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Much appreciated.

 

[1216bandit]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

The easiest way to do it is to cut a rag into a thin strip and stick some of it the drain and poke it down with your finger so it lays at the bottom of the bilge, in the water. Let the rag hang down and it will act like a wick removing the last little bit of water from the bildge.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

there's no such thing as a bone dry bilge. Worry about more important things. Almost all boats go around with the last few ounces the pump won't suck up.

 

[Fed]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

You could try sticking a piece of wet felt in through the drain hole and let the water sort of wick out, I bet that would work.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

Not so-- bone dry unless I stick a hose in it to test the bilge pump. Any time you want to check-- just drop in the marina and I'll have it put on the water. Ride, wash the deck and you will still find zero water in the bilge.

there's no such thing as a bone dry bilge. Worry about more important things. Almost all boats go around with the last few ounces the pump won't suck up.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

I have a Bowrider and a Bone Dry Bilge.
The only water in the bilge is from Splash, Spray and Drippy Swimmers.
Once back in the driveway I lower the bow, the water runs forward into the Ski Locker, and a Sponge and Towel gets it bone dry again.

I like the Rag idea with the Capillary Action Trick. I'll have to try that one day.

The little bit of water remaining in the bilge is not the real problem.
The problem is, it creates a sauna under the wood floor, and in the whole boat when the cover is on. Mold and rot soon follow.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: How to keep my bilge dry

Tape a sponge to a stick.