Bilge areas under the engine room, water tank etc.

[Moderator]

Alex asked on the FB page how to reach the bilge under the engine room. Since I don’t have a FB account, I’m going to post an answer here, and then it will be better preserved for others who wonder.

What Alex posted was: “how are you reach out bilge under diesel motor ?”

I’m not sure if this is supposed to be “reach bilge” or “clean out bilge.”

Either way –

You can see the bilge under the engine tray if you go to the bilge access in the aft cabin, stick a camera in and then take picture forward. I think that is what this photo is:

If you want to clean all many inaccessible areas under all sorts of things, go forward, open the hatch just outside the head (for example), stick in a hose and spray water aft. This will flush water under the water tank, fuel tank, and then engine room before it drains into the accessible part of the bilge in the aft cabin.

Or you can do the same from the forward chain locker – being sure to clean all the limber holes first.

Another good access is to go into the head, pull out the shower pan and find the big access to the bilge in that area. Also clean the drain holes in the base of the mast while you are there.

Don’t forget to clean out the tiny bilge area under the galley cabinet. Open the cabinet door, pull out the floor board and find a little bilge area that has a limber hole (that can easily get clogged) that drains to the bilge under the engine room.

In fact, just pull up any access hatch of the floor, and you will find an area that will eventually drain to the bilge. Except, of course, the engine tray, which is meant to keep all the oily gunk out of the bilge.

To clean out the engine tray, we use a small portable pump to remove oily water into a bucket where it can be properly disposed. The oil absorbent pads can be thrown out and then replace with some boat yoga effort. Those pads are critical to keeping the engine tray “clean.”

Hope that helps. Sorry I don’t use FB – even though I do occasionally read what people post there.

Marilyn, moderator

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