Yes, I Spent the Morning Sponging the Bilge

My parents have a few boats in a boatyard nearby.  One of them is the 20 foot trailer sailor that I learned to sail on growing up.  My Dad was worried that water had gotten inside; but he hadn’t gotten a chance to check it out himself.  It was a bright, sunny, and warm (for the Mid-Atlantic) weekend.  So, I decided to go out and give the boat a check.  We were afraid that the trailer needed some additional blocks under the tongue to promote water draining out the cockpit.  Well, that fear was right.  Some water had accumulated in the bilge and was starting to get up to the cabin sole. 

So, I started to bail and sponge the bilge.  I had about twenty minutes worth of cold wet hands to contemplate what I’ve learned about taking care of a boat.  Some of my early skippers were very strict about how we kept the boat.  When racing was over, we had to fold the sails, coil the lines, and put gear away before the party started.  It seemed like a pain in the beginning, but it’s really worth it — and has become a habit now.  We were also taught how to get the boat ready for winter.  All lines and sails had to come off of the boat.  Anything that was organic, or that could hold mositure or mildew also came off. 

I am SO glad that diligent skippers taught me these lessons from the beginning.  Water and mildew have the ability to wreak havoc quickly if not kept in check.  It is easy for the boat to get messy during a race.  And, of course, the first priority while racing is to race the boat.  But, a little bit of tidying up along the way can make for a more efficient race.  A boat can’t perform well on sail hoists and douses if gear and miscellaneous boat stuff are falling onto the lines in the pit. 

I’ve arrived at boats for delivery and found clogged drains, fruit flies, and mold.  That is not fun; and it doesn’t get the delivery off to a good start.  It’s amazing what food items can fall open — even if they’re kept in the best plastic bins (sorry…venting!). 

One other thing that impressed me this morning was a Nicro vent with solar powered fan.  My Dad installed this thing  in a hatch about five years ago.  I don’t think he’s done anything to it since.  But, when I got to the boat it was still humming along faithfully.  I was worried that if the fan spun any harder, the boat would take off! 

Here’s the kind of vent that I’m talking about, if you’re interested:

Hopefully, you can get the benefit from the lesson I learned without having to do it the hard way.  Keep the boat and gear in as good a shape as possible while racing.  Take care of the lines, sails, and gear as soon as you’re done using them.  And keep food storage in check so that your boat won’t be over run with bugs enjoying your leftover snacks.