[Public-list] Ice in the Bilge

[Gordon Laco]

Hi there - 

I once put rock salt in my wooden boat's bilge to act as a mild
preservative... It will attack solid ice but you can't count on it
liquifying it so much that you can bail the water out.  You will end up with
a honeycomb effect in the ice with no visible liquid water.  I think what
happens is the salt reacts with the ice working its way down until the
solution gets diluted to the point where it stops, then the water freezes
again.

At least you might expect that the honeycombed ice is less likely to bust
anything.  I had my Alberg's bilge flooded two years ago and dealt with it
by using an electric cube heater.  I directed the blower into the bilge and
pumped out the water into the galley sink as it accumulated.

Gord #426






> Todd,
> 
> My friends that have wood boats put rock salt in the bilge stopping the
> water from freezing during the winter. You can put some rock salt on the ice
> which will melt it. I would expect any expansion will move up vs. out into
> the hull. The concern would be additional water reaching the cabin sole.
> 
> If you could remove some/most of the water when melted and cover the cockpit
> at least this would stop any flooding of the cabin.
> 
> Stephen
> #114 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: public-list-bounces at alberg30.org
> [mailto:public-list-bounces at alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Todd Redhead
> Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 1:12 PM
> To: Alberg List
> Subject: [Public-list] Ice in the Bilge
> 
> At some point in the last month the frame that was holding my tarp collapsed
> 
> and filled with water which then drained into the boat and has filled the
> bilge to about 4 inches beneath the floorboards.  The batteries look like
> they will be OK but what should I do to get the ice out?  I am very worried
> that some expansion has happened although I don't see any damage on the hull
> 
> outside.
> 
> Should I just leave the ice there till spring?  If I pour anti freeze on top
> 
> of the ice - will it melt?
> 
> Todd
> Strathgowan #400 
> 
> 
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