side vents for and aft on hull
 

What purpose do these vents serve ? I have a 76 ob 23 cc the front vents are turned foward like an air scoop, nice in the hot summer but bad when sea duck hunting in winter.
I am trying to be convinced to remove them both during restoration for astetic reasons.

Any facts or opinions would be helpful

thanks, G.

Do you like a bilge full of mold and mildew? If not, leave those vents alone!

Like Denny said, leave them alone. They let air circulate between the hull and the floor. They help save your floor. My floor is original (35+ years old) and completely solid. My boat is an outboard too.

Yes, the front vents face FORWARD, as you have them now. They also should have a aluminum splash guard frame around them....see below. I've never had a water entrant problem.

Jim

thanks for the info guys, the vents stay. I do not have the splash guards as seen in your picture. Do you think they make a difference ? This boat had big mahogany sprayrails on it that I just removed, so they probably defered water away from the vent.

Yes, I believe they do make a difference. They were std OEM in 1977. I'm sure you can find some. Try a "WTB" post in the "For sale" section. I'm sure someone who mistakenly took out/off the vents on their boat would be willing to sell them to you cheap. Probably a few sets just laying around.

I re-installed mine 2 years ago with new white ones from West Marine. I would really like someone here to make/offer some SS or aluminum outer frames :) Sure would save on the fender damage to the vents.

I don't think it's a big deal if you remove them. No other boat has vents like that, even the newer Seacrafts don't have them. I have never heard anyone complain of mold or mildew. Does it make the brand more unique? Yeah, but I personally don't like the vents in the bow.

Turn the forward vents around, no water will get in and you will still have good ventilation for your bilge. If you restore it I would take them out. I used to take on water thru the rear ones on crappy days drift fishing with guys jigging on one side of boat. This was on an inboard 23. I had good venting thru my console and that helped. Also the docks would bang them up or a buddy would tie up to you and bust the plastic ones.

Selfishly, I'd like to see one of you fellas glass them shut and then cut some slits back in so they are a flush, functional, and part of the hull. I think it would look traditional but new. I'm sure they do help to some degree, how necessary, who knows? It kinda reminds me of a old Monterey and Jim Smith's salon vents, in the hot SoFla sun they definitely felt slightly cooler and less stuffy than some other similar boats.

Bilges are vented for a number of good reasons. Learn from others.

When form over takes function, performance looses.