Side vents

Lane · #1 07-03-2012, 09:27 PM

I have a 23 inboard 1978 while going out of Oregon inlet this weekend kept getting alot of water in the bilge actually came in was worried bilge pump couldnt keep up, it was rough. I changed the vents around to face backwards problem solved am I making a mistake by doing this thanks for any help

Lane

BigLew · #2 07-03-2012, 10:02 PM

Yes and no. They should face forward in order to catch any breeze while at anchor or mooring, thus setting up a convection of air passing through the bilge and taking any fumes with it as well as general moisture. Ideally, the vents should be mounted in vent or backing boxes which are boxes encasing the vent opening in the hull with a large bore hose coming up from through the bottom of the box and extending into the box a bit so MOST of any water entering the vent does not make it down into the bilge, but rather back out the vent plates.

I've never taken my vent plates off so I'm not sure if there is enough room between the hull and the inner liner to allow having these vent boxes. On larger boats they are very common. My recommendation would be add a second bilge pump that can kick in if the water level gets high enough to trigger it. Not a bad idea as a back up for a failed primary even when you are not in the nasties!

htillman · #3 07-03-2012, 10:26 PM

The older Seacrafts had rectangular "boxes" that the vents mounted in. They were about 1" deep and found on the forward vents. I removed mine and just the vents themselves. Pretty sure they were used to deflect water if the vents were installed forward facing.
ET

Lane · #4 07-04-2012, 07:15 AM

I like the vent box idea when I took mine out there wasn't anything like that I have two bilge pumps one is automatic the other manual but there was so much water coming in I wasn't sure where it was from and called the trip, went yesterday with vents turned to the stern and no water all day, I think if I cant find vent boxes I will have to leave the vents turned the wY they are hope I don't regret it, I really appreciate all the comebacks

oldfielder · #5 07-04-2012, 08:15 AM

I used to have a similar problem running through a big chop or rips and standing waves when the bow was pushing a lot of water out of the way. I think you are ok turning the front ones around You won't get the same degree of ventillation but you will get some.
Is your blower in good shape? That would be my primary concern with decreased air flow? Do you have a fume detector?

Blue_Heron · #6 07-04-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lane

...was worried bilge pump couldnt keep up...

If your bilge pump was having trouble keeping up with water coming in through your bilge vents, it probably isn't big enough. You might consider a larger pump and at least one backup pump. I have three bilge pumps in my 25 Seafari, all on separate float switches, with a combined capacity of 4800gph.
Dave

Lane · #7 07-04-2012, 10:40 PM

I have two bilge pumps but there was so much water at one time that it really worried me and at the point I didntbknow where the problem was would like to leave vents turned to the stern just don't want any soft floor problems I really dontnhave the skill set to fix it and it's in good shape now I really appreciate the input and will put a bigger bilge pump In

Lane · #8 07-04-2012, 10:42 PM

I don't have a fume detector and blower is working good is this for just at start up or all the time while under power? Where do I get a fume detector?

oldfielder · #9 07-05-2012, 07:46 AM

Start up and if you want to evacuate the air from your bilge at any point. Just do a search for marine fuMe detectors-xintex basically makes all of them. It is a simple sensor that runs to a dash mounted alarm, much like a high water alarm. It would sense an increase in dangerous gasoline vapor long before you would if you encountered any kind of leak. Some might think it is overkill, but if you were worried about decreased venting it may give you some peace of mind. They y have arelay in them that will start your blower automatically if the vapor level reaches a certain percentage.

77SceptreOB · #10 08-05-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htillman

The older Seacrafts had rectangular "boxes" that the vents mounted in. They were about 1" deep and found on the forward vents. ... Pretty sure they were used to deflect water if the vents were installed forward facing.
ET

This is corect! The earlier Tsunami editions (circa 1973) Did NOT have the aluminum Framed boxes that deflect the water.The 1973 Tsunami's had the rear AND front vents facing aft.

By 1977, possibly earlier the front vents were "framed" and pointed to the bow (As shown in the below pics). We have had the Aluminum rectangular frames and forward facing vents from the first day we got the boat and we bought it new.