Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

[datawire]

Finally got around to cleaning the floor storage areas (really cleaning) and I find that the areas are not draining worth a crap. Has anyone got some miracle cleaning concoction I can pour in at the bow, and let it clean it's way out the drain in the stern? Lord only knows what is in them little-bitty holes up-in-under them there floors

 

[sporter]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

I always start with bleach/water mixture.

 

[BillP]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

Simple Green works better than most off the shelf cleaners. 409 is feeble in comparison.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

You will have to free up any pass through holes so what you are cleaning will drain.There are not any products that I know of that will unclog them unless you want to try a drain cleaner type product or a pressure washer.after that the best I have used is greased lightning ,the one in the automotive dept thats for grease.Purple container I think.Charlie

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

if you have access, i like charlies idea of water<br />pressure to clear it out.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

Fwiw, there are possible serious repercussions to cleaning your bilge and pumping the waste directly into water, either fresh or salt. It is going to be easier to clean the bilge if your boat is trailered because you can let whatever comes out of the bilge run down he driveway and work it’s way into the water system that way… To do the same thing while the boat is in the water can cost as much as $5000 fine plus any cost to clean up any hydrocarbon residue…although it all ends up in the same place as if you washed the bilge in the driveway.<br /><br />Simple Green is biodegradable…in most areas it is not an issue pumping out Simple Green out of the bilge directly into the water. It is considered ‘gray waste’. Just make sure it is ok to discharge gray waste in your area. Any gas/oil residue that is washed out by the Simple Green can get you in trouble. You should have a hydrocarbon filter on the discharge line of your bilge pump to separate any hydrocarbon residue from the wash water/Simple Green. You will likely need to replace the filter element after pumping the Simple Green through it.

 

[RatFish]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

I mixed up some Tide Laundry detergent in a bucket of hot water. Poured it into the bilge, drove around for awhile to let it slosh around. Drained into bucket with oil absorber log then rinsed. Did a nice job.

 

[datawire]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

Hey thanks all - I tried some Marine "Greeze Off", but it foams so bad I can't tell what I'm hitting or missing. I can barely get an arm into the bow opening of the bilge (under the deck in the storage area), so pressure washing is out. I've managed to poke a 1/4" fiberglass rod from one end to the other... but really expected larger clearances than what I'm feeling I'll try your suggestions.<br /><br />18rabbitt - I don't even throw cigarette butts overboard when in the water! and Greywater dumping is a BIG no-no around here... RV or Marine. The boat is trailered and I'm making a mess of the drive

 

[BillP]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

Pour some cleaner in the bilge and drive around town...in the water or on the trailer. On the trailer is probably better.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

can you use a shop vac to suck out debris?

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Any "Miracle" bilge cleaners known out there?

I did something similar a few times during my restoration project. With the boat out of the water, I put the bow up as high as possible, put a hose in a drain hole in the bow and flushed it right out the stern.