Open or Covered Bilge?

[ancashion]

Hello All!

We're nearly complete with replacing the deck on my 1987 Starcraft Islander. When I purchased the boat the deck was missing the center section which is above the gas tank but also the section above the storage compartment and the bilge. I have no idea if the bilge should be or was originally open to air or if it's okay that I enclose it. I think I would rather an open bilge, but my father in law thinks it's okay to leave it closed. Is there any safety reason to leave it open or closed? His only concern is dropping stuff in there, which, I don't have a problem reaching down there for anything but I'd rather be able to look and see how much waters in the boat. Kinda reassuring to me I guess.

He's a lake guy with a fast boat with lots of seating. Money's spent on water toys and having the 5 bladed stainless steel prop. I'm an ocean guy with two seats and those cheap fold up camping chairs for extra occupants who wants nothing in the way of bling other than an aluminum radar tower and who acts like his boats are flat bed truck workhorse type boats.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, one more thing. I searched half the day yesterday for an answer to this before I decided to ask. Turns out, "open," "covered" and "bilge" are often used words. So often in fact, searching for them is nearly like just going through the forums. Such a wealth of information here, it's difficult to search for the simplest of things.

 

[evildocrsx]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

I had an experience once where my bilge pump got clogged from debris from the old deck. I was about one mile off shore and was taking water in like crazy. The bilge was covered so my only choice was to keep on blowing on the tip of the tube to unclogg it. It worked so I was able to get back to shore. After that, I made a little access door where I could reach the bilge pump incase something like that happened. That was on my old 16ft glass boat.

I'm now fixing an 22ft SC Islander and will probably build it the same way with a little access door. So, it really is up to you on what you feel comfortable with.

Post pics of your boat.

 

[ancashion]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

I had an experience once where my bilge pump got clogged from debris from the old deck. I was about one mile off shore and was taking water in like crazy. The bilge was covered so my only choice was to keep on blowing on the tip of the tube to unclogg it. It worked so I was able to get back to shore. After that, I made a little access door where I could reach the bilge pump incase something like that happened. That was on my old 16ft glass boat.

I'm now fixing an 22ft SC Islander and will probably build it the same way with a little access door. So, it really is up to you on what you feel comfortable with.

Post pics of your boat.

Perfectly logical real world experience. Thank you! Open, completely it is! I wanna be able to reach down there for sure, at any time, for anything!

Thank you!

As requested...

 

[evildocrsx]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

WOW! I love the colors. Did you paint it or is it OEM?

 

[ancashion]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

It's original. Boat had 187 hours on it when I got it two years ago. Now it has 188

Soon though.. she'll be back where she belongs on the second most dangerous bar on the west coast

 

[jonesg]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

Most boats that go down actually founder, a wave fill the deck and can't be pumped out before the next wave rolls it over.
Without a sealed bilge you'll flip on the first wave that comes over the transom. No water should be able to get from the spashwell to the bilge, thats why there are drain holes in the splashwell.

Sounds like something is missing on your boat, nice pics but we wanted to see the bilge area, not the pretty paintjob.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/bilge_pumps.htm

 

[waynehol]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

Why not cover the bilge and put a 4 inch round access cover?

 

[ancashion]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

Most boats that go down actually founder, a wave fill the deck and can't be pumped out before the next wave rolls it over.
Without a sealed bilge you'll flip on the first wave that comes over the transom. No water should be able to get from the spashwell to the bilge, thats why there are drain holes in the splashwell.

Sounds like something is missing on your boat, nice pics but we wanted to see the bilge area, not the pretty paintjob.

Pictures..

Before the onboard battery charger was mounted..

After charger..

Looking under the hatch..

Looking down without the hatch to block the view..

The only thing that was missing when I bought the boat besides the full canvas enclosure that the PO's wife burned in a bonfire was the deck above the gas tank and the rear hatch including the part above the bilge.

Hope this helps.

TIA

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

I agree with the above about the acces hatch. The way the deck of the boat looks it would not be too safe to have that large of a hole open. I like the look of it covered as long as water can still get down in it and out of it reliably. Just put a 6" portal on it so that you can apeaze yourself by looking when you want.

NICE BOAT!!!!

 

[jonesg]

Re: Open or Covered Bilge?

The more access the better , just make sure its water-tight.
You won't see too many big waves on a small lake but 6 inches of rain weighs 2 tons in a 12 sq ft deck area.

My bilge has a 12x16 square hatch with a removeable 9 inch round port that unscrews by twisting it, trying to work through the round port is pitifull so I unscrew the whole hatch. I think the round port is for taking a quick peek and clearing debris but you couldn't do a heck of a lot of work with just one hand.

I think I'd plumb that seperator to above deck anyway, can't imagine changing the filter thru a port hole.