Classic cleanup, any suggestions?

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SunshineBridge

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Hi all,
This is my first post here, no doubt of many more to come. Hope I've posted to the right place.

I have just got our first boat, a classic broads cruiser built in 1970. Pine on oak frames. I've fallen for her completely! :D

About a couple of years ago the engine oil was all lost into the bilge and was never cleaned up properly. Of course this now makes the whole boat smell of old oil, and I understand it is bad news for the hull as it damages the paint, causing rot.

Any suggestions as to the best way to clean this up? I was going to get a wet vacuum and dry out the bilge first and suck up as much emulsified oil as possible. Then spray with a bilge clean up product, power wash and then vacuum out, all section by section. Is there a better way?

Many thanks in advance for your help.
 
Hi and welcome....

Often in bilges the oil floats on top of water, and looks worse (amount of oil) than it really is.

There is a product, basically 'bilge nappies' that will absorb the liquid, even old throw-out towels etc.. to get rid of the worst of it. Then use the degreaser and water with the wet vac, rather than sucking straight oil into the vac.

Good luck and enjoy your new lifestyle.
 
I think you are on the right track. Any idea how much oil? Assuming the engine is an old BMC diesel, I gues 4 or 5 litres, which spreads to a huge ammount when floating on the bilge water.

Sounds like a vacuum pump as you suggest to start, then crawling around with rags to soak up as best you can.
 
My boat was built in 1930 and over the years has had oil dropped into the bilges, I've been led to believe that it helps preserve the wood and not rot it, but I may stand corrected on this.

I use oil spill mats in the engine drip trays just incase I have a spill and a couple in the bilges as the old oil in the timbers does leach out. The mats can be obtained from any good motor parts factor or hydraulic hose supplier.

To clean up your bilges I would first use an engine degreaser such as Gunk wet vac out and dispose with care. Then pinch a packet of the Mrs washing powder and give the bilges a good scrub out, Wet vac out and again dispose of with care.

If your boat takes a little water overtime sprinkle some washing powder into the bilges and the motion of the boat will swish it around and clean up for you, it will also make the boat smell nice.

As for timber rot I would be more concerned about fresh water getting into the boat than salt as the later preserves rather than rots. Old timers used the carry a cow lick block of salt in the bilges if they had rain water leaks or sailed on fresh water rivers and lakes. Is the broads fresh or salt???

Good luck and welcome to the forum.
 
This place does industrial absorbents at a fraction of "Marine" prices:-
www.oilspillproducts.co.uk/products.asp?cat=18
I use these:-
Oil Only Absorbent Pads - Rip One Details
Convenient pack containing ten perforated pads. Wall mountable for siting near to areas posing a potential risk of spillage.
Code R1O
Contents 10
Type 360gsm
Size 40cm x 50cm
Pack Absorbs 12 litres
Pack Weight 0.7kg
Price £13.00
2+ £12.00
Price: £13.00 (£14.95 Inc. VAT)

These can all be reused if wrung out very hard!!!
 
PFC said:
This place does industrial absorbents at a fraction of "Marine" prices:-
www.oilspillproducts.co.uk/products.asp?cat=18
I use these:-
Oil Only Absorbent Pads - Rip One Details
Convenient pack containing ten perforated pads. Wall mountable for siting near to areas posing a potential risk of spillage.
Code R1O
Contents 10
Type 360gsm
Size 40cm x 50cm
Pack Absorbs 12 litres
Pack Weight 0.7kg
Price £13.00
2+ £12.00
Price: £13.00 (£14.95 Inc. VAT)

These can all be reused if wrung out very hard!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks PFC

These look excellent :D I'll install some in the engine bay for future protection. The boat is fitted with a Bilgekleen filter system which I'm going to re-instate when I've cleaned up the mess.

Just discovered the lift pump is contributing to the smell as it's leaking diesel :eek:

The old girl just needs loads of TLC and erm ... cash!
 
ADLS said:
My boat was built in 1930 and over the years has had oil dropped into the bilges, I've been led to believe that it helps preserve the wood and not rot it, but I may stand corrected on this.

I use oil spill mats in the engine drip trays just incase I have a spill and a couple in the bilges as the old oil in the timbers does leach out. The mats can be obtained from any good motor parts factor or hydraulic hose supplier.

To clean up your bilges I would first use an engine degreaser such as Gunk wet vac out and dispose with care. Then pinch a packet of the Mrs washing powder and give the bilges a good scrub out, Wet vac out and again dispose of with care.

If your boat takes a little water overtime sprinkle some washing powder into the bilges and the motion of the boat will swish it around and clean up for you, it will also make the boat smell nice.

As for timber rot I would be more concerned about fresh water getting into the boat than salt as the later preserves rather than rots. Old timers used the carry a cow lick block of salt in the bilges if they had rain water leaks or sailed on fresh water rivers and lakes. Is the broads fresh or salt???

Good luck and welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

Hi ADLS,
The boat is on the non-tidal Thames so all fresh water, this makes the cow lick block an excelent idea. My main problem at the moment is water seepage throgh the planking at the stern, water is coming in at about 20 litres an hour :eek: So when I've had that fixed I'll get a salt block.
many thanks
 
has the boat been very recently re-launched, like a couple of days? If so the planking may take up and stop water ingress.

If not have a look at the stern gland (stuffing box) where the prop shaft leaves the boat, inside, aft. Anything more than an occasional drip is too much.

Locate all the below waterline skin fittings, and check for ingress

Thats a lot of water coming in!
 
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