Battle of the Bilge

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Apr 1, 2001

History:

Rubbish talk amoung sailors was referred to as bilge. Legend has it that some unknown sailor was sent to inspect the deepest, darkest, part of the ship where water and residue collect. After a brief time in this black hole, the sailor was convinced that this area was also rubbish. From that day on, the area where water collects in a boat has been referred to as the bilge.

Cleaning:

The most important reasons to keep your bilge clean are:

to prevent growth of bacteria
eliminate foul odors
prevent rust and corrosion of equipment that lies in the bilge

You can get bilge cleaner in most marine hardware stores, however, it can be expensive. Liquid Tide is less expensive and does as good a job. Containing no phosphorus, being biodegradable, cutting grease and dirt and having a clean smell make it a good choice. However, if you are going to be using a large amount of cleanser, or if you will be discharging the cleanser into the water, choose an alternative from this list of Natural Cleaning Product Alternatives.

Some boats take in more water than others. It is normal for some water to be in the bilge since it can leak in at the stuffing box(es) and rudder post(s). However, if you find an unusual amount of water make sure that you don't have a leaking through-hull fitting or pipe. If your boat usually has some water in the bilge just add the liquid Tide to the bilge and let the rocking of the boat do the cleaning for you.

Most grease and dirt can be removed with Tide and perhaps a little elbow grease. However, steam cleaning can be an alternative. Steam cleaning is a harsh method that can cause paint to peel, especially on a wooden boat. As they say on the stunt shows, don't try this at home. Seek out a professional and check their references.

Limber Holes:

Limber holes are found in the ribs or partitions in the bilge which allow water to pass through them and flow to the

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