Cleaning Bilge And Getting to Center Section To Clean By Hand.
 

I was looking for a foul smell and finally found some standing water in bilge located in front part of the cabin area (looked like Primordial soup), cleaned it with bilge cleaner, clorox, and laundry soap. Smell is all but gone but was wondering what the bilge looked like under the cockpit floor where the gas, water tank, and septic tank is located. I have 2 small deck plates for maintainence to gas tank and one other tank, but no way to inspect or clean the bilge. God forbid that I have to replace one of those tanks because I don't see any way to get them out. I have a 2006 Baja 405 that's more of a cruiser than a go fast but the hull looks like a lot of V-bottoms that the members here have. I want to keep the bilge clean and dry so any insight would be appreciated.

I feel your pain - I don't have a lot of experience with this but I'm happy to share what I've and other folks done.

1. I got "hot" water and Simple Green. I deactivated the bilge pump (I disconnected the battery) and filled the bilge with real hot water and Simple Green. I let that sit for a good half hour and then with a long handle brush scrubbed as best as I could -- I then flushed the "mess" out with more hot water and repeated the process. I really got all the gung/mess out and the Simple Green is a good in getting the "oils" out.

2. I haven't had to do this yet but have been told and other option is to fill the bilge with water to the point that the bilge pump doesn't activate along with Dawn Detergent. Get out on the water for the day - let this elixir slosh around and from what I've been told will really do a good job cleaning it up. The added benefit is the smell of the detergent.

All the best and safe boating

3pointstar

I've used a bildge cleaner like you stated in #2. Worked pretty well, but when it comes to an oils, I use simple green. Stuff is awesome. I buy the marine simple green. Isn't as pungeant of a smell to it, but not sure if it makes much of a difference from the normal stuff

Thanks, I have a good idea as to what to use to clean bulge but I am wondering how to get to center portion of boat to inspect and clean.

Headed out to boat with a bunch of Simple Green (1) degreasers and (1) Anti bacterial. I will use one, remove and then use the other. But how in the hell do you get to the bottom of the center section of the boat where the tanks are located?