Howd ya do it

[strick]

I agree that it is important to vent for moisture and since restoration yards are probably tearing out rotton wood on a day to day basis I could see their way of thinking. However from a safety stand point gas fumes are a major concern. I'm not exactly sure but I think the CG has specific regs about venting the bilge on boats. Here is how I solved the problem on my Arena Craft to keep the CG off my back and made it look good at the same time. Note the holes drilled in the upper transom cap on the early restore pic. In the next picure of the boat lifted on the crane notice the two silver handles on either side of the swim platform that are actually vents going down to the bilge. I'm thinking of doing something simular on the 23 SC.





Strick

[Miles Offshore]

Nobody' asked for it but I have to give my nickle about the vents. Back before bilge blowers were required those vents were the main stay for forcing air through the bilges and out the the stern. They dont do anything when setting still but they do work when moving. I guess Im paranoid having an inboard and having seen an inboard or two pulling away from a fuel dock and going ka-boom I might be a little off base.( they were older wooden boats and happened back in the late 60's early 70's) You outboard guys still have fuel tanks in the hull and spark-producing equipment in and under the console- Even with bilge blowers they pull air better with the forward vents and are also pulling fresh air through. My nickles up- just a couple of things to consider. Craig

[Ikan Besar]

Strick,

If you have a way of adequately venting out the moisture as well as sealing off the vents, I imagine there are plenty of members that would like to hear about it. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] The appearance would certainly benefit from those things being glassed over.

[Ikan Besar]

Strick,

If you have a way of adequately venting out the moisture as well as sealing off the vents, I imagine there are plenty of members that would like to hear about it. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] The appearance would certainly benefit from those things being glassed over.

[strick]

Maybe adding some intake vents to the center consel that plum down to the bilge and having the vents in the stern cap like in the pic I showed may work. I'll have to figure out a way thats for sure as it's too late to turn back now. Thanks for the replies on this topic. Is The OtherTom out there? .... He is full of boating knowledge and I'd like to hear how he vented his bilge on his White Water CC.

Strick

[FELLOW-SHIP]

On my 23 CC outboard I cut a vent under the center consol just above the fuel and air lines 90 degree hose bracket that go into the tank. Because it is under the center consol no water gets into the area and the vent allows ample fresh air entering into it. There is access to let the air out bother through hatches in the deck bilge area and under the two storage compartments at the transom. I also have the big door that opens from the front of the center consol and another smaller door at the back of the center consol as well. All in all for a outboard that’s plenty. As for the moisture issue if you have used epoxy to laminate all your wood you shouldn’t have a moisture problem and if you didn’t laminate your wood you will have a moisture problem no matter how many vents you have. If I had a inboard gas or a i/o I would use a blower after I had the engine compartment opened and checked for a good long time.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]