Cleaning fish boxes and cargo hold.

[LBI_GUY]

Hey Folks,

Due to the length and incline of my driveway, the bow of my 215cc is lower than the stern. I have purchased a 2500 lb. drop foot jack to correct this problem. I have accumulated quite a bit of rain water and dirt in the cargo hold and fish boxes. Once I elevate the bow, what is the best way to clean the hold and the boxes? Are there any wires or cables running between the hold/boxes that will be submerged if I use a hose to clean everything. Is it bad to get soap and water flooding into the bilge? I am worried about clogging the bilge pump with any dirt or material that has accumulated in the hold/boxes. Am I being too cautious with my first boat? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[HighTechRedneck]

My thought process is that when Hose down my boat everything gets directly hosed down except for the inside of the console. Better to find out if something is going to short or clog up in your driveway rather than finding out after taking a wave over the side filling the boat with water...

Just my two cents.

[NCangler]

If you pull the drain plug and have the bilge pump on while in the driveway you should have no problem draining everything. I always pick out leaves or debris that I can pick up of course, but everything else gets hosed to the bilge.

[glehav]

LBI buy a pressure washer best way to clean one but watch the seats with the washer.but ever thing eles is fair game. fish boxes come real clean

[LBI_GUY]

Thanks Guys. Time to get the hose out and clean my ride.

[katfish]

I also use a power washer and everything comes clean. I leave the drain plug open and when I'm done washing things out I finish it off with a power vac to take out any excess water from the boxes and bilge. I wipe the rest down with a towel and my 215 is really clean in a half hour. I recommend the power vac for those areas that don't drain particularly well. It works great.
Steve

[LBI_GUY]

Thanks Steve. I like the powervac idea!
Regards.

[OspreyVic]

Katfish, like you, we have a wet vac dedicated for boat use. After washing we use it to get the bilge, bait well, and floor boxes as dry as possible before we get the towels out.

It is small and needs to be emptied more than once, but very easy to move around the boat and use. Cost less than $30.00 at Sears