[Public-list] Ice in the Bilge

[Don Campbell]

If you use antifreeze or RV antifreeze just make sure that your disposal of the product is safe, particularly with GLYCOL based materials. You should pump it out with a system like a pella extractor and take the used product to a recycle depot. If yu think it claen enough to reuse it next year, then make very sure it is in he original labelled container. I prefer methyl hydrate for the reason that it is much easier to clean up safely then glycols. While it will evaporate even at low temperatures, it will still protect heads, holding tanks and bilges but
DO NOT USE it for WATER tanks.
Don #528

Michael Connolly wrote:

> 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
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Public-list mailing list
> >> Public-list at alberg30.org
> >> http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
> >>
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Public-list mailing list
> > Public-list at alberg30.org
> > http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Public-list mailing list
> Public-list at alberg30.org
> http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list
> _______________________________________________
> Public-list mailing list
> Public-list at alberg30.org
> http://alberg30.org/mailman/listinfo/public-list


 1107102912.0