how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

[Lee J]

I've tried a bunch of search terms and checked the sticky but is anyone else having trouble getting a bone dry bilge for some of these lake inspections?

Out of the 4 boats I've been around since these inspections started, the only one that has no issues an outboard. The other three I/O's, it is nearly impossible to dry out the bilge completely.

Once on my dad's boat, I spent about 30 minutes making the bilge spotless because I was driving a couple hours to Comanche and didn't want to get turned away. I raised the bow as far as it could go and soaked it up. A couple miles from the ramp I pulled over and I had to go through another 1/2 roll of paper towels getting rid of water that must have been further up the bilge.

Same thing happened to my buddy going to Del Valle, he spent an hour cleaning it up and when he got to the ramp, he was turned away for having water in the bilge.

Now I just got my own boat, and sure enough, there is water in the bilge and the plug is just far enough up from the bilge floor where it's impossible to drain all the water. I just know that I'm going to have the same problems with water further forward that I can't get rid of.

I'm on board with the reason for these inspections, but it seems completely unreasonable to not have a drop of water in the bilge of a boat, especially one that spends it's life outside. It seems like even condensation can ruin your day, as I've seen the guy doing the inspection stick his pinky in the plug hole and if there is any moisture at all you have to either go home or lie and say it's been 6 months since it's seen action.

Is there a trick to this? Is getting banded the only way to stay compliant?

 

[JoLin]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

I have no idea what you're talking about...

 

[cribber]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

All depends on what type of boat you have and what storage compartments you got. I use (don't laugh) Shamwow large pads to dry up the water in my bilge and ski locker. I have in I/O and use my floor jack to raise the bow up as high as possible to get most of the water to the bilge area and use the pads to soak up whatever is left over in the ski locker.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

My bilge is always dry. . You have a leak some wheres !!
Check around your vents for leaks ??.

 

[capt sam]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

I've never ever had a bone dry bilge but I've never boated on a lake, why do they have these inspections? To limit hydrocarbons being pumped out of the bilge?

 

[solar7647]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

Well if you cant get the water out of your bilge you have an issue. And it is most likly wet foam or a leak.

You can use a wet/dry vac to get the water out, but if the foam is saturated it will return.

I would jack the front of the boat up as high as possible and let is sit for a few days, then wet vac any water out that cant get out of the drain.

The only time there has ever been water in my bilge is on days there is a lot of in and out of the boat from tubers, wakeboarders and swimers. Other then that the bilge should be dry.

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

I have no idea what you're talking about...

+1 here.

I'm not going to say anything since i'm not in your area but someone trying to snoop around my boat wouldn't get far.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

I boat at Lake Powell often and have been through a number of checks, never had a problem with water in the bilge. Maybe you could keep the plug out at all times, keep the engine cover up as much as possible, keep bow raised way high, travel the last 10 or so miles to the lake with no cover, attach a sponge to a stick so you can reach it way down there to get every last drop, figure out why/how/where the water is coming from and fix it. I keep mine covered all the time and use it alot and never have any water in the bilge, try to find the leak and fix it you will thank yourself in the long run. I have seen alot of people turned away due to lowereing the outdrive and water comes out from the last trip. I thought everyone lowered the drive when sitting but I guess not. Have also seen turn backs due to wet anchor lines, life vests, even wet tube covers. Its WAY serious at some lakes especially Powell. I would be BENT if I drove 350 miles only to be turned away so I am pretty meticulous when it comes to conforming to what they want.

 

[capt sam]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

If they ever tried to institute an inspection like that here, no one would be able to go out. We use our boats almost daily, anchor lines are always wet and there's always a small amount of water in the bilge, what are they looking for?

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

I've never ever had a bone dry bilge

Really ??.

When I leave my camper canvas off. I do get rain water in there. But other than that its bone dry.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

Won't be long until you have to have separate boats for each lake. We're moving in that direction here in Minnesota, what with the zebra mussels and the hemorrhagic virus of fish that seems to be spreading.

Fortunately, I have an open aluminum boat with no places where water can collect without being seen, so it's easy for me to dry the boat. I don't know what others are going to do. There are going to be some extreme measures put in place, and not to stop these invasive species.

In Minnesota, the lakeshore owners have been trying to close the lakes to people who don't live on them for years and years. Once they figure this thing out, they'll put pressure on the legislature to force non-residents off a lot of lakes. "It's for the environment," they'll claim, and they may just succeed.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

Bass Tracker, as much as I agree with you you also wouldn't get far towards the water either. You would be turned away and have to wait 6 months before you were eligible to boat at that particular lake.
The Quagga mussell is an invasive species that can be transfered in any type of water that may still be on the vessell, dock lines, outdrive, engine block, etc. Once introduced they cannot be erradicated and will destroy all other living species in the water. They also destroy docks, waste pipes, anything that the infected water touches will eventually be non serviceable. Very serious business with heafty fines here out west.

 

[Philster]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

I have no idea what you're talking about...

quagga is a marine creature

The dry bilge issue is related to invasive aquatic species entering the lakes and rivers across the United States.

Marine life finding its way into lakes that have been transported from other bodies of water is a big problem. Show up with water from another locale and you could be transferring marine life and it could overtake the local eco system:

http://quaggainspections.com/

 

[capt sam]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

Really ??.

When leave my camper canvas off. I do get rain water in there. But other than that its bone dry.

every boat is a little different, pretty much every boat I've owned or operated has had some water in the bilge, not much but some, I've never worried about it....I also see what you guys are talking about with this invasive species.

 

[skargo]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

Invasive species are a big deal, I took this pic at my usual ramp yesterday.

 

[Lee J]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

Sorry, I forgot this wasn't a CA specific forum! In Kalifornia, at pretty much all the mountain lakes, you have to go through an inspection for quagga mussels. If there is even an ounce of water in your bilge you go home, it doesn't matter how far you drove to get there.

I have no doubt there is some water soaked foam, my boat is 30+ years old. But my buddies boat is an 05 and he still has some water in there that just seems to appear.

Doesn't seem like there is a solution to this besides ripping up the entire deck and replacing the foam, which is not an option. I'll have to shove a bunch of shamwow's down there and hope for the best.

 

[bomar76]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

The only time there has ever been water in my bilge is due to being caught in a rainstorm OR washing it out at home.

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

Bass Tracker, as much as I agree with you you also wouldn't get far towards the water either. You would be turned away and have to wait 6 months before you were eligible to boat at that particular lake.
The Quagga mussell is an invasive species that can be transfered in any type of water that may still be on the vessell, dock lines, outdrive, engine block, etc. Once introduced they cannot be erradicated and will destroy all other living species in the water. They also destroy docks, waste pipes, anything that the infected water touches will eventually be non serviceable. Very serious business with heafty fines here out west.

Like i said i had no idea what the OP was talking about.
We have a inspection for milfoil and it's ruined some real good fishing areas.
I have no problem helping them look over my boat or trailer and i also help others at the launch but to me it sounds like there going over board when there looking in bilges and turning boats away for some water in the bottom of the boat.

Seems I'm pretty naive on the ways of the world towards the west.

So i did a little googleing (SP) and if i read some info right if you go to the same lake or area after you leave you get a inspection and then your boat and trailer sealed then no insp if it's not broken when you come back.

MMMMMMMMMMM interesting.
I thank you for the info.

I think I'll stay way up here for now.. LOL

 

[BTMCB]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

Sorry, I forgot this wasn't a CA specific forum! In Kalifornia, at pretty much all the mountain lakes, you have to go through an inspection for quagga mussels. If there is even an ounce of water in your bilge you go home, it doesn't matter how far you drove to get there.

I have no doubt there is some water soaked foam, my boat is 30+ years old. But my buddies boat is an 05 and he still has some water in there that just seems to appear.

Doesn't seem like there is a solution to this besides ripping up the entire deck and replacing the foam, which is not an option. I'll have to shove a bunch of shamwow's down there and hope for the best.

Lee,

I know of what you speak. Have been through those inspections many a time. Have not had any problems because my bilge is always dry. Can't help you much with your specific issue but do have a suggestion....some of the lakes will put a "wire" on your boat / trailer at the winch as you are LEAVING the lake. If the wire is still in place the next time you visit....you don't undergo any inspection (since you have obviously not launched elsewhere since last inspection there). They just cut it off and in you go. So, if you are going to go to the same place a few times in a row, get the bilge dry once, pass the inspection, get a wire before you leave and you are good to go the next time (even if bilge is wet).

 

[skargo]

Re: how do you get a dry bilge for the quagga inspection?

My 32 year old boat's bilge is bone dry too, until my engine mounted seawater pump started leaking. Fixed that!