[BigLew]

No one has mentioned that regardless of the engine configuration, virtually all of our boats have FUEL tanks mounted below deck! What happens should a small leak occur and the automatic bilge pump or electrical discharge, i.e.- spark, occurs?

The vents are as important at rest as they are underway. A moored boat almost always has a significant wind direction component in it's orientation on the mooring. Thus the bow into the wind takes air into forward mounted vents and exits the stern aft pointing vents, thus continuosly preventing large volumes of water accumulating from condensation, etc. Dryer bilges tranlates to less rotting of compromised coring, etc.

I voted for keeping them. I have seen dramatic results of improperly vented bilges. Up to and including death.