[Public-list] Ice in the Bilge

[Michael Connolly]

Todd,
As a precaution, when I am stored on the hard outside where it will reach freezing temperatures I always pour about two gallons of the anti freeze West Marine sells for heads and holding tanks down into the bilge.  Removal of the engine intake hose is also a good idea as the bilge will only fill up to that point.  Two gallons of this anti freeze should get you thru the winter even if diluted by water entering the bilge on occasion.  I have never trusted the tarp alone to keep the water out.  The anti freeze solution is a reasonable backup insurance. 
 
 If you fancy installing another thru hull then a bilge drain is your real problem solver.  Make certain that you have limber holes that are adequate to drain all separate compartments into the bilge.
 
Michael

Todd Redhead <todd.redhead at sympatico.ca> wrote:
Here's the report on the ice in the bilge.

I've removed about 90 % of the ice. I heated the cabin right up with a 
space heater and a couple of propane heaters. I also used a liquid ice 
melting product that is based on calcium I think. The rest of the work was 
done with a long flathead screwdriver and a hammer. It worked well but was 
hard work. It did take me about 6 hours to get most of the ice out. Once I 
got the batteries out of the way it was a lot easier. I do have a couple of 
questions though...

My bilge seems to have two levels - one level under the floor boards and 
then a lower level that is accessed through what looks like a round plastic 
screw in type of deck port - about 5" accross. It is down in this hole that 
the bilge pump sits. This is also the area that still has a bit of ice - 
I've been using hot water down that hole which really eats away at the ice 
fast. Does everyone have this type of setup?

2nd .... There appears to have been some hull expansion - on both sides of 
the hull on the outside a patch of antifouling paint has popped off. The 
area is in the approx. place where the lower bilge area is located inside. 
To the eye - the sides do not look bulged - the patches are about 6" square. 
Again to my eye, the hull does not looked cracked, it just expanded enough 
to pop the paint off. Any suggestions about this situation? Should I bring 
someone in to look at it - or just wait till spring then look for cracks 
myself? Does the hull have enough 'flex' in it to withstand this type of 
movement?

Tomorrow, I go to install more conduit hoops to prevent this from happening 
again.

Todd
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Todd Redhead" 
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" 

Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005 9:36 AM
Subject: Re: [Public-list] Ice in the Bilge


>I used electrical conduit - made into hoops pushed into the stanchon 
>sockets. This unfortunately, only gave me 3 hoops which were not enough 
>for the heavy snow. What I plan to do is add at least 3 more hoops to the 
>3 that are there to provide more support. What actually happened was the 
>tarp collapsed into the cockpit area - then when it rained or melted the 
>water found some way in - I think around the locker lids. There was no 
>problem the first couple of heavy snows that we had before Christmas so I 
>was not worried about it and was not checking the boat as regularliy. Now 
>I know!
>
> Todd
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "sousa, stephen (ENG)" 
> To: "'Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all'" 

> Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005 9:27 AM
> Subject: RE: [Public-list] Ice in the Bilge
>
>
>> Todd,
>>
>> I don't know where you are located. We live in north central MA, and have 
>> a
>> lot of snow and ice during the winter. I use a 2 X 4 ridge pole and 
>> supports
>> from the cockpit and foredeck, plywood under the supports to spread the
>> load. The remainder is strapping from the ridge out to the lifelines,
>> lifelines have strapping taped with adhesive on outside of duct tape. 
>> This
>> has worked well over the years, have had a few pieces of strapping break
>> under the ice load but never totally fail. I switched to canvas which I 
>> am
>> on the 3rd year and it seems to last. Traps were lasting one winter 
>> season
>> if lucky, the winds would literally tear them up.
>>
>> I know some people use PVC which I was concerned with snapping under 
>> extreme
>> cold, this morning -15F again.
>>
>> I may install a drain for next year as Lincoln did on his Alberg. I had 
>> some
>> water in the bilge mixed with antifreeze. Doesn't freeze totally, I also
>> lift the bilge out of there for the winter.
>>
>> Good luck,
>> Stephen
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>
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