Dirty Bilges

[Stemar]

Jazzcat's bilges are pretty 'orrible, to the point where a new filter on one side clogged in a when pumping out maybe 20l of fairly nasty water. It's one of the joys of the boat that rainwater and, especially jetwash water finds its way into them, and someone was careless last time the oil was changed. Add a lot of soggy disintegrated foam insulation, plus several years of general grot, and you can imagine the horror! ?

I'd like to jetwash them to get them spick and span, but the filters will clog if I use the bilge pumps, which are quite big cylindrical Flojet jobs. Would I damage the pumps if I take the filter mesh out just for this job and flush them with clean water after? I really don't want to have to take them out to clean valves as they're pretty inaccessible. I have a rotary oil pump (Aldidl type) - would that do better if I put a bit of diesel though it afterwards to prevent rust?

 

[Boater Sam]

Jazzcat's bilges are pretty 'orrible, to the point where a new filter on one side clogged in a when pumping out maybe 20l of fairly nasty water. It's one of the joys of the boat that rainwater and, especially jetwash water finds its way into them, and someone was careless last time the oil was changed. Add a lot of soggy disintegrated foam insulation, plus several years of general grot, and you can imagine the horror! ?

I'd like to jetwash them to get them spick and span, but the filters will clog if I use the bilge pumps, which are quite big cylindrical Flojet jobs. Would I damage the pumps if I take the filter mesh out just for this job and flush them with clean water after? I really don't want to have to take them out to clean valves as they're pretty inaccessible. I have a rotary oil pump (Aldidl type) - would that do better if I put a bit of diesel though it afterwards to prevent rust?

Why do you think that the pump makers fit filters on the inlets? Do not run them without. Don't be lazy, get in there with a bucket, a mop and a brush. You know you have to.

 

[pandos]

The Aldi pimpp.will die...(been there done that) I'd get a cheap bilge pump and drop it in on a line.

But first if vacuum the bilges and as much of the voids under the floors and cabinets from the bow to the Stern and rince these with plenty or soapy water.. this will chase out or collect the dust and fluff etc which contribute to blocking the pumps...

 

[PTB]

After cleaning and swilling with fresh water empty water and crap with a cylindrical wet and dry vacuum cleaner Henry or suchlike. Just make sure you empty it regularly. Nothing goes through moving parts so no filters necessary. Worked for me. Good luck.

 

[Daydream believer]

Just buy a cheap hand operated styrup type pump & get rid of most of the water then with a stiff hand brush sweep the grot into heaps in each bilge section & remove as much as possible. Jetwash & repeat as many times as needed. Then with a suitable bilge cleaner you can start using the electric bilge pump.
However, it is wise to have a hand pump on the boat, as well as an electric one, such as a whale, or Henderson. My old Henderson had a quick release cover that one could take off in seconds & this would have done the job very easily
I also have a shower pump which is a whale gulper. This can handle sewerage etc Ok. In the shower line I have a hoselock connector. I can disconnect the shower & fit a 12 ft wandering hose. On the end of this hose I have a short length of 6mm copper pipe. It is great for hoovering up even the shallowest areas of water due to its small diameter. I can remove water from all the awkward spots. If there is a lot I remove the copper pipe. As I do it I check that I am not collecting debris. This would be rare in my case as the bilges are clean. However, the Op ( I understand that the OP may not have such, but I know others may be reading this)would find it useful, if such a facility was available

 

[oldharry]

As above, the filters are there on your existing pumps for a very good reason! A cheap wire strainer sieve for kitchen use can be had for a couple of quid from your local hardware shop which will enable you to scoop the worst of the gunge out. It can then be battered into shape to go over (under) the pump strainer to stop it clogging. You can even get a stainless steel one for an extra 75p!

 

[dankilb]

Perfect job for retired bilge, holding tank or shower pumps (either manual or electric). Wet vac would also work well.

 

[Halo]

When you have finished leave some bio clothes detergent solution in the bilge for a couple of trips. The boat motion will slosh it around and do a pretty good final clean up.

 

[ColinR]

another vote for a wet vac. I did mine a couple of weeks ago and sucked all the debris out that had accumulated and would have blocked the pump if I'd needed to use it in earnest as well as the disgusting looking bilge water. My wet vac has a brush attachment so I could give it a good scrub and sluice with water and cleaning enzyme mix to kill the bugs. My bilge is quite deep and no other way I could have done it.

 

[Boathook]

Jazzcat's bilges are pretty 'orrible, to the point where a new filter on one side clogged in a when pumping out maybe 20l of fairly nasty water. It's one of the joys of the boat that rainwater and, especially jetwash water finds its way into them, and someone was careless last time the oil was changed. Add a lot of soggy disintegrated foam insulation, plus several years of general grot, and you can imagine the horror! ?

I'd like to jetwash them to get them spick and span, but the filters will clog if I use the bilge pumps, which are quite big cylindrical Flojet jobs. Would I damage the pumps if I take the filter mesh out just for this job and flush them with clean water after? I really don't want to have to take them out to clean valves as they're pretty inaccessible. I have a rotary oil pump (Aldidl type) - would that do better if I put a bit of diesel though it afterwards to prevent rust?

I would find out where the rainwater is getting in and rectify that. A cheap wetvac as already mentioned is a good idea especially if it has the large diameter hose.