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Old 05-11-2021, 18:48   #1
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Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

Hello all,

Just finished a hard day of sailing in the Gulf of Mexico and went to inspect the deep bilge and there was salt water in there. It might have been spray, keeping on eye on if the water level grows from a hand pump to bilge pump levels.

The uniqueness about the issue is it coincided with a snap/crackle kind of sound.i felt and looked around the bookshelf and did not see any droplets, bubbles or spray.

It could be the water heater after 6 hours of upwind engine use. My paranoia has it as a smile forming in the keel joint and water snapping and cracking through the epoxy!

Anyone have additional troubleshooting steps?
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Old 05-11-2021, 18:55   #2
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

Could be brine shrimp
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Old 05-11-2021, 19:32   #3
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

One of the mysteries of temperate seas, I think it's pistol shrimp but a friend insists it's polyestermites, a species of termite adapted to eating fiberglass boats.
https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/20...pistol-shrimp/
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Old 05-11-2021, 20:47   #4
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

AKA snapping shrimp.


https://ocr.org/sounds/snapping-shrimp/


Link includes a short audio file:


http://ocr.org/ocr/wp-content/upload...ing-Shrimp.mp4
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Old 05-11-2021, 23:44   #5
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

The sound is definitely the shrimp. I can remember losing a lot of sleep the first time I heard that stuff. Ha ha. I had been sailing many many years already, but did not have the opportunity to head south. These don’t exist in the north. Had me up all night worrying that the new boat I bought was coming apart.
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Old 05-11-2021, 23:54   #6
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

Heard it last night in Sydney so you’re not alone!
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Old 06-11-2021, 03:49   #7
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

Lol still floating. No new water. Thanks for the help all
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Old 06-11-2021, 11:20   #8
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

WOW! Gulf of Mexico to Sydney. Those are some loud shrimp!
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Old 06-11-2021, 12:29   #9
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

First time for me, anchored in Sydney, thought something was on fire. Not much sleep
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Old 06-11-2021, 13:43   #10
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

Shrimp make that noise. Occasionally one also hears a thump as a fish grabs one of the shrimp and bangs the hull in the process. Under my vessel at its berth lived a giant blue grouper--it would make a sound like base drum now and again.

The salt water probably came in through the anchor winch hawse pipe or a left open portlight--but to be sure to be sure, check all rubber hoses on your heads and washroom, your engine and heat exchanger. A split hose or failed or leaky hose clamp could do it.
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Old 06-11-2021, 13:53   #11
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

I remember years ago when first time in Greek waters I was perturbed when lying in my bunk by a persistent sound like bacon frying? I was utterly baffled. A sailor who was familiar with these waters reassured me that the sound was made by lots of small crustacea gnashing their jaws in the process of consuming the growth on the underside of the hull.
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Old 06-11-2021, 15:20   #12
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

A number of different species make this sound.
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Old 06-11-2021, 15:48   #13
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

Shrimp should be on the barbie. They pop well there.
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Old 06-11-2021, 16:01   #14
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

I’m in the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Australia in a steel boat and we’ve got them here. I like the idea that it’s “Polyestermites” ha! Sounds like the marine equivalent of
“Drop Bears” we ‘have’ in Aus ! ��
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Old 07-11-2021, 17:22   #15
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Re: Pop rocks sound coming from bilge

Not just shrimp �� but also crabs , barnacles and most crustaceans �� �� ! Also my electronic anti fouling system on my boat !!! They aLL make the clicking /rice crispy sounds !!!
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