T&T: bilge cleaner?

[Faure, Marin]

>What is is a good "product" or substance to emulsify the scum so we can
deal with it?

There are commercial products made to do just what you describe, and
they are available at places like West Marine, etc.  However I can't
recommend any because we've never used them--- when we need to clean the
bilge we use Simple Green.  It will clean up dirt, mildew, grease, oil,
grey water, black water--- all of the things that one might find in
one's bilge.  To remove liquid from the bilge, be it saltwater,
freshwater, or the water used to clean something, we use a small
Craftsman wet-or-dry Shop Vac--- I think it's about a 2 gallon capacity.
We actually have two on the boat, one with the filter installed for
vacuuming the interior of the boat (we have a dog that sheds), and one
with no filter installed for vacuuming up liquids.

______________________________
C. Marin Faure
GB36-403 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, Washington