[C320-list] Bilge Spaces

[T. Scott Thompson]

I would avoid bleach if there is any chance it will work it's way into the
bilge.  Chlorine bleach attacks the finish of stainless steel and can
contribute to corrosion.  This can be a problem for your keel bolts, which
are already prone to sitting in stagnant water for extended periods (also
not good for stainless steel).  And bleach is hard on other substances
too, so I'd generally want to avoid letting it circulate through the
unseen corners of the bottom of the boat.  I'd stick with soap and hot
water.  The best thing is to clean often and let it dry out in between.

> I go with hot water to flush out that line as we are washing down the
> fridge. I haven't used bleach, but in a mild solution it might be good
> idea.
>
> Kirk
> #124
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Darrell" <dgray at n-sea.org>
> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 5:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge Spaces
>
>
>> Thanks Kirk for the fridge drain plug idea, I will try that for
>> starters.
>> Do you ever run a little bleach down the fridge drain or into the shower
>> sump or is that hard on hoses
>>
>> Darrell
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kirk McCullough" <kirk.mccullough at telus.net>
>> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
>> Sent: Sunday, September 16, 2007 12:09 AM
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge Spaces
>>
>>
>>> To me it seems you are getting more water in than I get. I don't have
>>> any
>>> stanchion leaks, maybe that's the difference. I can't think of where
>>> you
>>> would be getting all  that water from. I have my fridge drain plugged
>>> and
>>> unplug it and drain it into a jug when we wash down the fridge
>>>
>>> Kirk #124
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Darrell" <dgray at n-sea.org>
>>> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:42 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge Spaces
>>>
>>>
>>>>I have the dripless seal, a new waterheater and holes drilled and
>>>> plugged
>>>>as per Catalina directions. With the fridge drain and numerous small
>>>>leaks from stanchions etc. I suck a couple gallons out with my wet vac
>>>>every couple weeks . I find it spreads out about an inch deep all the
>>>> way
>>>>from the engine to the knot meter sender unit and then turns into moldy
>>>>slime if I leave it. Sure wish I had a proper sump on this boat. I
>>>> cannot
>>>>it took them so may boats to fix this problem. Some day I will have to
>>>>save up and buy a later model,
>>>>
>>>> Darrell #88
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Kirk McCullough" <kirk.mccullough at telus.net>
>>>> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 7:34 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge Spaces
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Part of the issue is to keep water out of the 320. Install a dripless
>>>>> shaft seal if you dont have one. It's a big improvement. Then vacuum
>>>>> out that area once every 2-3 years to get out the water that may come
>>>>> in from other sources.
>>>>>
>>>>> Kirk
>>>>>
>>>>> #124
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Jane & Ken" <obuoy4848 at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>> To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
>>>>> Sent: Monday, September 10, 2007 5:50 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge Spaces
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Gary and Al,  the first several hundred 320's built did not really
>>>>>> have a "bilge" and there is space between the twolayers of
>>>>>> fiberglass
>>>>>> which allows water to collect and eventually that water finds its
>>>>>> way
>>>>>> into the hollow structual members where it cannot escape.  The
>>>>>> factory
>>>>>> answer to this design flaw is to drill holes, vac the water out and
>>>>>> plug the holes (then hope no more water gets in??).  There are many
>>>>>> pics on the web--or used to be--  I just raise the bow with a
>>>>>> lifting
>>>>>> strap, place all the weight (friends) I can in the aft cockpit, give
>>>>>> them a beer and vac any water I have collected.  I enlarged the
>>>>>> inspection hole to 10 inches for easier access.  I bought the boat
>>>>>> new
>>>>>> and have enjoyed sailing her and adding things as the years went by.
>>>>>> Regards,  Ken & Jane Cathey O'BUOY #219
>>>>>>
>>>>>> alahlm at comcast.net wrote:  Gary
>>>>>> I had the same problem with water collecting in the same spot I
>>>>>> added
>>>>>> a 6" inspection plate under the ladder to access the area and keep
>>>>>> it
>>>>>> dry --  there should be some pics on the web site
>>>>>>
>>>>>> al ahlman
>>>>>> #476
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -------------- Original message --------------
>>>>>> From: "Gary Magnuson"
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On my 1995 320, (# 205) I was cleaning the bilge spaces and found
>>>>>>> that the bilge
>>>>>>> space under the sink, directly under the companion ladder, does not
>>>>>>> drain into
>>>>>>> the bilge. Isn't there supposed to be a connection between these
>>>>>>> two?
>>>>>>> There
>>>>>>> appears to be a limber hole, but it seems to be piped right past
>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>> space. I
>>>>>>> can only see into the space through the 4 inch hole under the port
>>>>>>> floor
>>>>>>> section. I used my wet vac to draw about 4 gallons out through the
>>>>>>> inspection
>>>>>>> hole. Any suggestions how to get this section to drain. I also
>>>>>>> notice
>>>>>>> that the
>>>>>>> compartment where the bilge pump is located, isn't the lowest point
>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>> floor. Plan A was to wash and rinse each section and have it drain
>>>>>>> aft to the
>>>>>>> bilge pump. The water seems to drain forward toward the base of the
>>>>>>> mast.
>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>> Gary Magnuson #205
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
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>>>>>> Version: 7.5.485 / Virus Database: 269.13.16/1004 - Release Date:
>>>>>> 9/12/2007 5:22 PM
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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