Ventura: Winter Storage Ventilation; Water in Bilge

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Author Topic:   Ventura: Winter Storage Ventilation; Water in Bilge

paddyt111 posted 10-12-2008 08:53 AM ET (US)
I am putting my Ventura to bed for the winter (it comes earlier here in Newfoundland) and have noticed a couple of things I wouldn't mind an opinion on.
In the transom area, where the pumps are kept, there is a far amount of fungal growth on several of the lines which come and go to the pumps. It seems to be mildew related. Is the answer to leave the hatches open for ventilation when storing?
The boat is in my driveway and I noticed that there is a fair amount of water collecting in the bilge. I'm curious how and why it is getting in there. Any thoughts?
Pat
fishgutz posted 10-12-2008 11:17 AM ET (US)
Your bilge is a damp dark area. Mildew will appear.
Water accumulates by rain and splashing water getting in from the floor and your rigging chases. There isn't much you can do. Periodically wash out the bilge with bilge cleaner. Air it out as best you can. Warm sun helps. That's the best you can do. There are some drying agents to keep the dampness down. I don't know how well they work.
Good luck.
RLSmith posted 10-12-2008 11:41 AM ET (US)
I have a 16' Dauntless, similar hull. On my boat the enclosed transom area to which you refer is accessible by raising the rear seats. To ensure ventilation when not using the boat I prop one of the seats up with a block of wood on each side of the seat. This seems to lessen the fuel odor from the poly fuel tank, mentioned many times on CW posts. On newer hulls BW added small vents on the rear of each seatback that would do the same thing.
95Outrage17 posted 10-12-2008 04:52 PM ET (US)
Hi Pat,
I hope you had a good summer in NL with that nice Whaler!
I agree with fishgutz about the mildew. You can clean it off, but it will return eventually. Are you having the boat shrink wrapped for the winter? I would leave pretty much every hatch and comparment open over the winter. Even remove the deck plates that allow access to your fuel tank. That will allow lots of air to flow though. The only thing to be concerned about is the possibility of animals getting aboard, if that's not a concern where the boat is then leave everything open.
As for the water in the bilge, I assume you have the drain plug out and the bow tilted up so that all water runs aft? That's really all you can do as water likes to find its way down there assuming you don't have a leak in a drain hose or something (unlikely).
- Chris

paddyt111 posted 10-12-2008 10:20 PM ET (US)
For storage, I hope to find a warm airport hanger to store the boat. I would feel better if my whaler was out of the elements, I'd sleep better. Failing that, I will likely tarp the boat. I may also check into shrink wrapping her as well.
As for the mildew, I will try and clean it and work on opening the hatches more often for extra ventilation as a fix and see how ling it takes for it to reappear. Who know, the cooler weather may slow down the fungus.
The water in the bilge was more of a day to day curiosity. I was thinking that most of the rain water would exit from the self bailing cockpit, not end up in the bilge. And yes, I would tip her during storage to ensure I have no water hanging up there. I will also add a little plumbers antifreeze in the bilge for a little added security.
I will save my summer report for another post. I want to put together a slide show of some of my favorite summer photos along with a few stories from long days out in the bay.
Jefecinco posted 10-13-2008 09:41 AM ET (US)
Paddy,
Down here in Lower Alabama we don't do much in the way of winter storage, as you'd guess.
However, a concern here with day to day storage is critter damage. If the console or rear seat hatches are left open it invites rodents of various types to come in out of the heat or cold. Some of them love to chew on hoses and wiring and even the plastic on bilge pumps and thru hull fittings. It seems that no opening is too small for them.
Watch out for critters unless they hibernate up there.
Butch
paddyt111 posted 10-13-2008 11:29 AM ET (US)
Gotcha Butch
bluewaterpirate posted 10-13-2008 07:15 PM ET (US)
Here are some pictures of where the deck water migrates into your bilge. You will also get some from below deck condensation.
Starboard side by the stern access door.
http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701184_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701184-2-WebSmall_0_b99efd120306615221f8bee5598909e4_1
http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701204_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701204-2-WebSmall_0_cbac7593d618543f5f637a14cac6d2ee_1
Another area is the aft bulkhead of you fish box. The fish box is not all one piece. The rear bulkhead is designed to for a fish box macerator pump. It is held in place by 3-M 5200.
http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701204_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701204-2-WebSmall_0_cbac7593d618543f5f637a14cac6d2ee_1
The other area is on the port side by the raw water hose connection.
http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701205_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701205-2-WebSmall_0_8159bdacfad70d382159bde13edfa000_1
There you go .......
Tom
bluewaterpirate posted 10-13-2008 07:17 PM ET (US)
Sorry ... here is the correct picture of the fish box aft bulkhead.
http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701202_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701202-2-WebSmall_0_49877678ee183a778ffd129956f61378_1
Tom
paddyt111 posted 10-13-2008 08:52 PM ET (US)
Tom, Thanks...I suspected that this is where the water must have been getting in. BTW, I installed my new FW pump today. You'll remember you sent me photos of the layout in the transom. I had to do this today as I wanted to empty the tank before putting her away for the winter. Once connected, it worked like a charm. I added some plumber antifreeze to ensure the small amount left in the tank did not freeze. I also used the pump to pull some into the lines.
Pat

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Author	Topic: Ventura: Winter Storage Ventilation; Water in Bilge
paddyt111	posted 10-12-2008 08:53 AM ET (US) I am putting my Ventura to bed for the winter (it comes earlier here in Newfoundland) and have noticed a couple of things I wouldn't mind an opinion on. In the transom area, where the pumps are kept, there is a far amount of fungal growth on several of the lines which come and go to the pumps. It seems to be mildew related. Is the answer to leave the hatches open for ventilation when storing? The boat is in my driveway and I noticed that there is a fair amount of water collecting in the bilge. I'm curious how and why it is getting in there. Any thoughts? Pat
fishgutz	posted 10-12-2008 11:17 AM ET (US) Your bilge is a damp dark area. Mildew will appear. Water accumulates by rain and splashing water getting in from the floor and your rigging chases. There isn't much you can do. Periodically wash out the bilge with bilge cleaner. Air it out as best you can. Warm sun helps. That's the best you can do. There are some drying agents to keep the dampness down. I don't know how well they work. Good luck.
RLSmith	posted 10-12-2008 11:41 AM ET (US) I have a 16' Dauntless, similar hull. On my boat the enclosed transom area to which you refer is accessible by raising the rear seats. To ensure ventilation when not using the boat I prop one of the seats up with a block of wood on each side of the seat. This seems to lessen the fuel odor from the poly fuel tank, mentioned many times on CW posts. On newer hulls BW added small vents on the rear of each seatback that would do the same thing.
95Outrage17	posted 10-12-2008 04:52 PM ET (US) Hi Pat, I hope you had a good summer in NL with that nice Whaler! I agree with fishgutz about the mildew. You can clean it off, but it will return eventually. Are you having the boat shrink wrapped for the winter? I would leave pretty much every hatch and comparment open over the winter. Even remove the deck plates that allow access to your fuel tank. That will allow lots of air to flow though. The only thing to be concerned about is the possibility of animals getting aboard, if that's not a concern where the boat is then leave everything open. As for the water in the bilge, I assume you have the drain plug out and the bow tilted up so that all water runs aft? That's really all you can do as water likes to find its way down there assuming you don't have a leak in a drain hose or something (unlikely). - Chris
paddyt111	posted 10-12-2008 10:20 PM ET (US) For storage, I hope to find a warm airport hanger to store the boat. I would feel better if my whaler was out of the elements, I'd sleep better. Failing that, I will likely tarp the boat. I may also check into shrink wrapping her as well. As for the mildew, I will try and clean it and work on opening the hatches more often for extra ventilation as a fix and see how ling it takes for it to reappear. Who know, the cooler weather may slow down the fungus. The water in the bilge was more of a day to day curiosity. I was thinking that most of the rain water would exit from the self bailing cockpit, not end up in the bilge. And yes, I would tip her during storage to ensure I have no water hanging up there. I will also add a little plumbers antifreeze in the bilge for a little added security. I will save my summer report for another post. I want to put together a slide show of some of my favorite summer photos along with a few stories from long days out in the bay.
Jefecinco	posted 10-13-2008 09:41 AM ET (US) Paddy, Down here in Lower Alabama we don't do much in the way of winter storage, as you'd guess. However, a concern here with day to day storage is critter damage. If the console or rear seat hatches are left open it invites rodents of various types to come in out of the heat or cold. Some of them love to chew on hoses and wiring and even the plastic on bilge pumps and thru hull fittings. It seems that no opening is too small for them. Watch out for critters unless they hibernate up there. Butch
paddyt111	posted 10-13-2008 11:29 AM ET (US) Gotcha Butch
bluewaterpirate	posted 10-13-2008 07:15 PM ET (US) Here are some pictures of where the deck water migrates into your bilge. You will also get some from below deck condensation. Starboard side by the stern access door. http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701184_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701184-2-WebSmall_0_b99efd120306615221f8bee5598909e4_1 http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701204_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701204-2-WebSmall_0_cbac7593d618543f5f637a14cac6d2ee_1 Another area is the aft bulkhead of you fish box. The fish box is not all one piece. The rear bulkhead is designed to for a fish box macerator pump. It is held in place by 3-M 5200. http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701204_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701204-2-WebSmall_0_cbac7593d618543f5f637a14cac6d2ee_1 The other area is on the port side by the raw water hose connection. http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701205_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701205-2-WebSmall_0_8159bdacfad70d382159bde13edfa000_1 There you go ....... Tom
bluewaterpirate	posted 10-13-2008 07:17 PM ET (US) Sorry ... here is the correct picture of the fish box aft bulkhead. http://cdn-2-service.phanfare.com/images/ 4892322_2160164_49701202_WebSmall_3/ Image-4892322-49701202-2-WebSmall_0_49877678ee183a778ffd129956f61378_1 Tom
paddyt111	posted 10-13-2008 08:52 PM ET (US) Tom, Thanks...I suspected that this is where the water must have been getting in. BTW, I installed my new FW pump today. You'll remember you sent me photos of the layout in the transom. I had to do this today as I wanted to empty the tank before putting her away for the winter. Once connected, it worked like a charm. I added some plumber antifreeze to ensure the small amount left in the tank did not freeze. I also used the pump to pull some into the lines. Pat