The previous owner of Trishna installed bulkheads (see pictures below) to create a containment box under each engine. Stringers make up the other walls. Pictures are from 2000. Logs are now PSS dripless and bilge pump in first photo has been removed.
I've found that water drips from the hatches above onto the engines and into this box when we wash down or when there is a lot of rain/spray (Trishna is an express style boat). I haven't had a problem with oil or other contaminates in the bilge. Water accumulates, however, and doesn't dry out/evaporate. I'm inclined to remove these bulkheads while on the hard this winter. Before I cut, I thought I would ask you all... is there a strong reason to leave these in place?
Second question: Do any of you have a bulkhead in the keel portion of your bilge to create forward/aft bilge compartments? Given Trishna's express style (open from engines aft) and the fact that the hatch weep holes allow rain and washdown water to drain into the bilge, I'm inclined to extend the existing engine room forward bulkhead all the way down into the keel. After doing so, we would ensure that appropriate bilge pumping power exists in both forward and aft compartments. I currently have the ability to tee into the engines raw water intake for emergency bilge pumping. I would consider installing a valve through the new bilge bulkhead to ensure that the engines could continue to be used in this capacity.
Am I overlooking any issues? What have others done? Any constructive recommendations?
Thanks,
Scott
