How can I fill low spots at bottom of bilge?

LaRea

Is there a good way to build up a low spot in the bilge by about 3/8" or 1/2"?  Gelcoat, resin, something else?  

My bilge has a low spot just aft of the bilge pump that is probably 6" x 12".  It's lower than the bilge pump, so the pump can't remove water that collects there.  

This photo is forward looking aft towards the drain plug.  At the bottom of the photo, the circular stain covered by a leaf is where the bilge pump is mounted.  Aft of that is the low spot that I need to fill.  Even if the pump runs continuously, it can never pump out that last few cups of water.  

Ian

Same here but also you will never get it all out as the pump won’t pump air so whatever is in the hose to the through hull flows back.

DanD2

You might be able to get a couple of pints of Flex Seal and just pour it in there. I used some in my anchor locker and it worked awesome.

mattie

DanD2 said:

You might be able to get a couple of pints of Flex Seal and just pour it in there. I used some in my anchor locker and it worked awesome.

Good idea. Get it in white too.....

YYZRC

With no steering pin leaks it will be bone dry in there!

Handymans342

Resin

LaRea

I know the pump will never get it totally dry.  But if I fill that area, I'll have less leftover water.  Maybe I'll grab a quart of resin and give it a try.  Scuff it up with sandpaper, add a cardboard tube at the drain, and pour the resin.

Dream_Inn

Do you have a raw water pump for washing out your cockpit?  If so, I'm sure you never use it.  I removed mine from the seacock and added a hose with a brass npt fitting on the end right in the little dip at the plug in the back.  It does draw out every drop in the bilge.  Best thing I ever did!  this would be a great time to add it in!

LaRea

No pump on my boat, but maybe I should consider adding one for clearing nuisance water.  Where does yours discharge?

It's just annoying that even when the boat is blocked and the drain plug is out, the bilge still won't drain.  

PickleRick

Add thickener to your resin, make it as thick as pancake mix. Make it go further.  

LaRea

I was going to use resin, but the store was out of stock, so I got white Flex Seal.  It took the entire quart.  At that thickness with cool weather, it'll probably need a week to cure, and then I'll paint it.  Will it work?  Ask me in a year.  

Handymans342

It should as long as it adheres well

PickleRick

We know it will never sink now

LaRea

For future readers:  The engines were out of the boat when I did this mod.  It would be tough to do it otherwise.  

Aqua_Aura

I'm gonna let everyone know you pulled the engines to fill in the low spot and then put them back 😃

DanD2

That'll work fine. It worked awesome in my anchor locker