How to clean 30 years of muck out of folkboat bilge

[jmennell]

I've acquired a folkboat for a backyard restoration. It's been out of the water for 30 years and the bilge is full of leaf matter and other unmentionable accumulations. I want to clean it out and also give the interior a good scrubbing so I can better evaluate the condition. What would be the appropriate cleansing solution to use, considering how dry the wood is. I didn't want the first thing to get soaked into the wood to be the cleaning solution, but I'd like the boat to get a good cleaning and some disinfecting, because I'll be spending a lot of time inside and out... he some people golf, which is not an inexpensive recreation. Thanks.

[PAR]

Remove as much as you can by hand (or shovel) then take a shop vac to it. The goo in the low lying areas will be stubborn and probably need to be loosened with a scrapper, then it too can be vacuumed out. Eventually you'll get down to dirty and stained painted surfaces or raw wood. These areas can be cleaned with a variety of mild cleaners and water. Use something water soluble, so you can stop any reactions by hosing down an area. I like a product called Spray 9, but many other cleaners can be had, including bilge specific cleaners from the local marine store.

A pressure washer shouldn't be used. You'll remove a lot more then dirt with one and likely blast off some wood too. Don't be too afraid to use water and cleaners. After 30 years on the hard, she'll need a complete going through before stretching her sea legs again. A mild water and bleach mixture will kill most of the beasties that will be on the wood and make her smell a bit better.

Do your self a favor and hire a good marine carpenter to look her over. 30 years on stands or in a cradle will have left a heavy toll on her shape and structure. Much of this is very difficult for the average back yard boat restorer to notice. Lots of experience and a trained eye can see these things reasonably easily. Much of your efforts will be directed toward the correct areas, in the right order of business, if you get a proper evaluation in this early stage of the project.

[jmennell]

very helpful details... thanks!