Bilge Gunk

This was a long, difficult weekend aboard. We arrived reasonable on Friday and I spend the evening replacing engine parts: new impeller, fuel filters, sacrificial zincs, etc. Changed the oil and added coolant. The engine runs. The oil sender/pressure gauge doesn’t work, which I will replace next weekend. That seems positive. The engine room is still a disaster and needs a major scrubbing. Progress? Perhaps….

In the photo to the right, however, notice the black gunk all over the inside of the bilge just above the water tank. It is everywhere – a nasty, hard, black sludge compliments of 6 years of Alabama “dry” storage. Having potable water on board is, obviously, very important. Bing and I spent the better part of Sunday morning removing the tanks, scrubbing the bilge and reinstalling everything. It was an awful job, but we got most of it done. Next week, I need to scrub the sump, clean up the bilge pump gear, and reinstall the automatic bilge switch.

I did don a wetsuit and jumped into the water. The Pacific is a little chilly, but, with Bing on the dock handing me tools, I was able to install the last of the needed sacrificial zinc anodes to the underwater metal parts. Hopefully they will last through the winter, so I don’t have to do that again any time soon.

Bing settling in aboard Nereus

Cap’n Bing is settling into her surroundings. She bought some rugs and is doing her best to make a home of things. It will get better next week, as we’ll have water and can make meals aboard. She’s found her little niche up in the V-Berth, where she spends her time gaming and texting her friends. Kids these days. Zeesh!

It was a hard fought weekend, but we both agree the ol’ boat ain’t as bad as we thought. Just needs more scrubbing – lots more scrubbing – and a face lift. Any one have a reference for a boat maid?