To Vent or not to vent. That is the question.

[Bushwacker]

Big Lew is absolutely right - All Moesly/Potter vintage SeaCrafts ventilate the bilge BECAUSE OF THE FUEL TANKS! One of the early Potter brochures said it cost them more to do that, but was required because they didn't foam in the fuel tanks, as was done on cheaper boats! (All knowledgeable surveyors agree that foaming in the fuel tank is a BAD idea, as the foam can hold moisture against the aluminum, greatly increasing corrosion rate!) Moesly had it right. Ventilating the bilge will prolong the life of everything in there - tanks, wiring, decks, etc.

[76Red18]

Big Lew is absolutely right - All Moesly/Potter vintage SeaCrafts ventilate the bilge BECAUSE OF THE FUEL TANKS! One of the early Potter brochures said it cost them more to do that, but was required because they didn't foam in the fuel tanks, as was done on cheaper boats! (All knowledgeable surveyors agree that foaming in the fuel tank is a BAD idea, as the foam can hold moisture against the aluminum, greatly increasing corrosion rate!) Moesly had it right. Ventilating the bilge will prolong the life of everything in there - tanks, wiring, decks, etc.

Not the 18's Denny. Their tanks are in an unvented box below deck. Seems kind of strange to not vent a sealed compartment containing a fuel tank. When I installed a 60 gallon tank, I cut out the front wall of the compartment to accept the longer tank. Should I vent my hull? The bilge does have a wet, musty smell to it.

[Bushwacker]

Hi Richard,

What can I say, I'm not too familiar with the 18's, but they and the 23's were strictly a Potter design; Moesly was not involved with them. As for adding vents, it probably wouldn't hurt anything, might even help. Might be able to use the scoops up on the gunnel like on the Seafari, with the hoses from there down into the bilge. Stbd side scoop faces forward, port side scoop faces aft. Denny