Coolant removal from engines

Has anyone used a large shop vac to suck the coolant up from the drain as it is draining to avoid having it go into the bilge? I don't have enough room under the engine drains to get a bucket or something like that. I am sure others have this issue but I am currious to know how other captains have solved it.

I have not. I drain mine into the bilge, then pump it out with a hand pump (the long kind with a hose on the discharge end). On my engine there are several drain points and it's not possible to hook a hose to some of them. I tried using hoses and such but since it was impossible to avoid spilling some and I had to clean up anyway, I decided to just let it go and then clean it up.

If you're considering a shop vac, I think a fluid pump would be a better choice. Remember, the coolant is toxic and dogs and cats are attracted to it so you would need to clean the vac after use.

I have a drain pan under my Lehman that catches the coolant, then I use my shop vac to clean out the pan. Works fine. Gets the oil residue also. Then I clean out the shop vac. No big deal.