Baja Marine 342 manual Bilge & Underwater Gear, Fuel & Oil Spillage, Drain Plug, Bilge Pumps

Section 4 • Bilge & Underwater Gear

1.Bilge

A.Fuel & Oil Spillage

Regulations prohibit discharging fuel or oily waste in navigable waters. Discharge is defined as any action which causes a film, sheen or discoloration on the water surface, or causes a sludge or emulsion beneath the water surface. A common violation is bilge discharge. Use rags or sponges to soak up fuel or oily waste, then dispose of it properly ashore. If there is much fuel or oil in the bilge, contact a knowledgeable marine service to remove it. Never pump contaminated bilge overboard.

Fill fuel tank less than rated capacity. Allow for fuel expansion.

B.Drain Plug

The bottom of the engine compartment is called the “bilge”. It is the lowest and inner part of the hull. Water and other liquids will collect here.

After removing your boat from the water, unthread the drain plug to drain the bilge (Figure 4.1.1).

!DANGER

Install and tighten drain plug before launching boat.

Boat will sink if drain plug is not in place and tight.

C.Bilge Pumps

!WARNING

Sinking Hazard – Ensure the bilge pumps are operating properly.

!CAUTION

Run bilge pumps in the manual position only as long as necessary to remove water. Running bilge pumps dry can damage the pump motor.

A bilge pump and float switch are located in the bottom of the bilge (Figure 4.1.2). The bilge pump is manually activated from the switch panel located on the helm.

Bilge Pump and Float Switch

(Fig 4.1.2)

Bilge Pump

Float Switch

Drain Plug

(Fig 4.1.1)

Transom/hull cut- away view

Garboard

Drain

Urethane Caulk

Garboard

Drain Plug

Before starting the engine, press the bilge pump switch so that the switch light comes ON. Make sure the pump is working by opening the engine compartment, listening to hear the pump running and check to see that liquid is being pumped out from the hull discharge. If the bilge has more liquid than normal, see Maintenance Section for locating and correcting the problem.

342 Performance® 4.1