[KenB]

Why is the definitive answer? Yes, I know there are many threads on this topic, and many many posts arguing for filling in the vents versus leaving them be.

Here is how I read the FINAL break-down:

REMOVE THE VENTS
- when backing down on a fish, the vents at the transom can take on water, and the boat can sink. For Safety reasons, they should be filled in.
- they were originally put on i/o and inboard seacrafts to vent the engine space. If you have an outboard/bracket, you don't need them.
- When docking, they can get smashed or beat up. Especially if you get the plastic ones, you are going to buying new vent covers every year.
- Not too many other boats have vents, so you don't need to air out your bilge.
- The key to the seacraft shape is the bow flare, variable dead-rise, and pointy bow. There is nothing "classic seacraft" about some vents on the side.
- The hull looks better with a smooth profile.

KEEP THE VENTS
- They were originally put on i/o and inboard seacrafts to vent the engine space, but soon all seacrafts had them. They are part of what makes a classic seacraft classy looking.
- You need to air out your bilge.
- If you are worried about sinking, double check your bilge pumps.
- The original vent covers were made out of much tougher materials, see if you can find those, and they should last longer.
- Strick originally removed them from his 23, but then put them back later.
- The hull looks better with some nice stainless vent covers.
- Why do more work?

Other notes
- Some argument about orientation. Usually, the front vents (up by the bow flare) point forwards. The ones in the rear face backwards. This is so that when underway, air goes through the bilge.

Ok. I set up a poll.