Bottom Line
This question has appeared several times on the CSC forums. You can go back under the search menu and read them all. [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]
There is a controversy whether or not these vents are necessary. Some say yes and others say no
Many have removed them and glassed over the holes for a personal preference of appearance. However I will note my .02
Originally, these air vents were required by the GC for boats with below deck gas tanks. They also helped with the removal of the gasoline vapors created by the models with inboard engines. Blower motors were installed in the bilges that were run a few minutes prior to starting the engines thus removing the flash point for ignition, created by the battery and the starter.
The aft vents had two dryer type vent tubes connected whereas one faced forward and the other into the bilge. The forward vents faced the bow and the aft vents faced the fantail. There is an air channel molded in between the inner liner and the hull that runs fore & aft. These channels caused the air to be drawn naturally into the forward vents and channeled out the aft, removing these vapors. As time progressed, it was found that below deck air movement also served another vital purpose. The dampness that was naturally being collected below decks was being removed. This allowed the decks to breath and reduced the rotting of the wood core balsa.
I have owned my SeaCraft for 19 years and have only had one minor deck problem, which was caused by my own negligence
Water does not enter the forward vents in rough water as the chines push the water up the sides of the boat aft of these vents! Maybe a little comes in during wash down. My biggest problem is with the mud-dauber wasps building their nests in the channels.
It then is in my opinion, that these vents are more helpful than detrimental and therefore, I would not remove them and glass in the channels. I recently discussed these issues with Mr. Potter and he agreed
