Another winterizing question

[skyking897]

Not so much a winterizeing question as a what to do about water in the bilge area. Finished winterizing today and have water in the bilge area that won't drain out the transom drain. My boat (86 sylvan offshore) has lateral ribs tight against the hull and water has to be higher than the rib, about 1" before it will flow to the next rib etc and drain. Hope that makes sense to you. I have the bow as high as possible and the back of the trailer is touching the ground but there is still trapped water that is not draining out. I'd like to remove it but have very limited access below the floor (only in the bilge area under the motor). Anyone have a suggestion and do you think it would cause any damage if left for the winter (inside, unheated storage). BTW, it is rain water from the last 2 weeks of almost solid rain we have had.

On a side note: I've removed the interior panels to redo this winter will be putting down new carpeting or some type of floor covering and thought if I lifted the floor panels as well I could drill 1/8" thru holes in the ribs so they will drain eliminating this problem in the future. Anyone see a structural problem with this or anything else?

 

[meatyb]

Re: Another winterizing question

It maybe overkill but I raise my bow as high as I can just like you do and any water that won't drain I use a shop vac to suck all the rest that will not drain. Overkill?? Maybe but it only takes a few seconds lol

 

[rallyart]

Re: Another winterizing question

For the bilge water you can try leaving the plug out and trailering a bit. Especially if you reverse your receiver to get the ball up and then accelerate up a steep hill. Of course braking will move it back forward so be very light on the brakes, and make sure nothing is going to scrape if the front of the boat is up that high.
If there is water there it's not likely to be a problem when it freezes because there is nothing to push against if it expands.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Another winterizing question

If you aren't worried about wood rot AKA Lyman Lapstrake in Mahogany sort of thing, over time the water will evaporate (cold dry winter air) and that which doesn't, if it freezes will just pop up and not hurt anything.

HTH,

Mark

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Another winterizing question

Not so much a winterizeing question as a what to do about water in the bilge area. Finished winterizing today and have water in the bilge area that won't drain out the transom drain. My boat (86 sylvan offshore) has lateral ribs tight against the hull and water has to be higher than the rib, about 1" before it will flow to the next rib etc and drain. Hope that makes sense to you. I have the bow as high as possible and the back of the trailer is touching the ground but there is still trapped water that is not draining out. I'd like to remove it but have very limited access below the floor (only in the bilge area under the motor). Anyone have a suggestion and do you think it would cause any damage if left for the winter (inside, unheated storage). BTW, it is rain water from the last 2 weeks of almost solid rain we have had.

On a side note: I've removed the interior panels to redo this winter will be putting down new carpeting or some type of floor covering and thought if I lifted the floor panels as well I could drill 1/8" thru holes in the ribs so they will drain eliminating this problem in the future. Anyone see a structural problem with this or anything else?

Isn't this an aluminum boat? Poor some mixed antifreeze in the bilge.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Another winterizing question

Simple - a sponge and a bucket!

Yeah, it'll evaporate in time and maybe freeze and sublime, but its best to have everything dry.

Keep it dry and stored indoors and you won't be complaining about ethanol fuel problems and rotten decks and transoms, like those that store outdoors.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Another winterizing question

Wet/dry vac is what I do for that last bit.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Another winterizing question

+1 on the wet vac. You will still get some water in there over the winter, so a raised bow and the plug out should do the trick. With a minimal amount of water in there, freezing will not damage anything.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Another winterizing question

I leave mine in the water and have that "bilge puddle" too. since my bilge pump is in there and through-hull for the live-well/washdown nearby, I put a splash of RV antifreeze in there.
But I agree with the above; freezing won't hurt anything and a wet vac or sponge will solve the problem.

To answer your other question, drilling drain holes would be a problem if your ribs are wood covered with fiberglass. I would leave it alone.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Another winterizing question

Hope that makes sense to you.

Ayuh,... It does,... Don't worry 'bout it, it won't hurt a thing...

 

[skyking897]

Re: Another winterizing question

Thanks for the suggestions, guess it's off to the store to buy a vet vac and some more antifreeze. Don't remember standing water as a problem last fall but then again we didn't have 2 weeks of rain before I winterized last year. FYI the Slyvan Offshore is a cousin to the Starcraft Islander, very similar and built out of aluminium, hence the idea of drilling the ribs.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Another winterizing question

FYI the Slyvan Offshore is a cousin to the Starcraft Islander, very similar and built out of aluminium, hence the idea of drilling the ribs.

Ayuh,.... My Islander has little blips in the ribs to allow for drainage, til they plug up with crud, which is expected in a 37 year old hull, I rebuilt 11, or 12 years ago...
Yer drillin' idea might work, if ya don't miss, 'n drill through the .063" hull...
for awhile anyways...

Honestly, yer wastin' yer time 'n money on a non-issue,...
'n yer gonna pollute the water ya play, 'n fish in, come spring...

 

[skyking897]

Re: Another winterizing question

Thanks bond-o. I checked the ribs again and there is no blip or anyway for the water to drain thru them that I can see. Picked up a wet vac today and will use it to remove as much water as possible before putting in storage later tomorrow. Once again, thanks to all who replied with suggestions.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Another winterizing question

My small boat is aluminum. IF it did not have those tiny drain holes to allow draining. I would PRAY that the factory GLUED / SEALED the floor ribs so perfectly that no water could ever settle in there. Freezing would cause swelling of the rib / bottom. If it has not been swelled already. DO NOT DRILL. HIGH RISK job. Vacuum is correct.

EDIT
I DO get all the water from the blocked drains by running at high speed in a safe area alone. I swing the boat left & right to slosh the water AROUND the rib ends & to the drain hole at the rear. I have the plug outat speed.