Fuel tank leak

Going for another short shakedown cruise tomorrow early.....very good forecast but it’s Saturday...so hopefully get back before the holiday makers wake up...
 
We were out today, loads of jetskis being dick heads - anyone can just hire one, but some lame brains thought it would be a really good idea to stop their boat in the middle of the harbour, put a blowup lielow in the water with two passengers lying on it in the middle of a very busy water way, with their outboard engine running next to it! What could possibly go wrong when they started to tow them along side/at the stern? We left before the screaming started. Seen enough blood today.
 
kashurst said:
We were out today, loads of jetskis being dick heads - anyone can just hire one, but some lame brains thought it would be a really good idea to stop their boat in the middle of the harbour, put a blowup lielow in the water with two passengers lying on it in the middle of a very busy water way, with their outboard engine running next to it! What could possibly go wrong when they started to tow them along side/at the stern? We left before the screaming started. Seen enough blood today.
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Yes, I fear the busy months...it’s no different to the roads...when you get desperate enough for your holiday...you go nuts
 
So, I did some speed tests and checked temperatures...all good (touch wood)...I also had a solution of bilge cleaner in the bilge...after that was stirred up, I pumped it out into a plastic container. Eventually you get nose blind and can’t tell if things have improved....so best to lock up the boat in this heat and next morning open the door and let the smell hit you...what I’m hoping for is the diesel smell to be replaced by a chemical smell...then I will use natural products like vinegar and lemon juice...
 
Bouba said:
So, I did some speed tests and checked temperatures...all good (touch wood)...I also had a solution of bilge cleaner in the bilge...after that was stirred up, I pumped it out into a plastic container. Eventually you get nose blind and can’t tell if things have improved....so best to lock up the boat in this heat and next morning open the door and let the smell hit you...what I’m hoping for is the diesel smell to be replaced by a chemical smell...then I will use natural products like vinegar and lemon juice...
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Personally I would use a different deodorant to replace any chemical smell, you might have to use the bilge cleaner / detergent more than once but if you keep at it the smell eventually goes away. Try rinsing a couple of times after you pump out the bilge cleaner.
 
kashurst said:
Congrats B, it's been a long road and we have had a lot of enjoyment at your misfortune, and you took it all on the chin.
Good luck with the new tank.
Re smell, I had a flexible high pressure fuel pipe blow a few years back that put 200 L of diesel in the bilges. Once all cleaned up I put @ 200L of water with an entire 1L bottle of washing up liquid (fairy) in the bilge, turned off the bilge pump and pootled about for a few days with it all swishing about. No more smell and very easy to do.

edit: passerelle looked OK to me ;-)
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I will try this but with a variation...I will use a bio/natural washing up liquid...as it’s safer for the environment and they also don’t foam up as much
 
Bouba said:
I will try this but with a variation...I will use a bio/natural washing up liquid...as it’s safer for the environment and they also don’t foam up as much
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Whatever you use it needs to emulsify the residual diesel and scour it from any crevices and exposed GRP mat on which it might be adsorbed.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
Whatever you use it needs to emulsify the residual diesel and scour it from any crevices and exposed GRP mat on which it might be adsorbed.
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Yes, that is the problem, the oil has been there for six months...which is why I started with a commercial bilge cleaner (they are incredibly expensive)
 
Bouba said:
So, I did some speed tests and checked temperatures...all good (touch wood)...I also had a solution of bilge cleaner in the bilge...after that was stirred up, I pumped it out into a plastic container. Eventually you get nose blind and can’t tell if things have improved....so best to lock up the boat in this heat and next morning open the door and let the smell hit you...what I’m hoping for is the diesel smell to be replaced by a chemical smell...then I will use natural products like vinegar and lemon juice...
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One of the few occasions when you won’t want to use balsamic.
 
Bouba said:
Yes, that is the problem, the oil has been there for six months...which is why I started with a commercial bilge cleaner (they are incredibly expensive)
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If you still have a problem after persevering with your current products you could try making up an Alcohol / Acetone mix which will definitely mix with the diesel and also then mix with water and the last of the diesel will emulsify. Further cleaning with just a small amount of detergent / water should give you a spotless and odour free bilge.
 
Acetone or excess might plasticise the hull .
Just use bilge cleaner , bio versions and as said turn the pumps off leave it in there swilling about for as long as practical poss .
Try a 3/4 night cruise .

You are not letting stuff linger long enough .
 
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