side vents for and aft on hull

Bushwacker · #1 02-11-2013, 11:18 AM

Do you like a bilge full of mold and mildew? If not, leave those vents alone!

77SceptreOB · #2 02-11-2013, 04:55 PM

Like Denny said, leave them alone. They let air circulate between the hull and the floor. They help save your floor. My floor is original (35+ years old) and completely solid. My boat is an outboard too.

Yes, the front vents face FORWARD, as you have them now. They also should have a aluminum splash guard frame around them....see below. I've never had a water entrant problem.

Jim

gchop · #3 02-11-2013, 05:07 PM

thanks for the info guys, the vents stay. I do not have the splash guards as seen in your picture. Do you think they make a difference ? This boat had big mahogany sprayrails on it that I just removed, so they probably defered water away from the vent.

77SceptreOB · #4 02-11-2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gchop

thanks for the info guys, the vents stay. I do not have the splash guards as seen in your picture. Do you think they make a difference ? .

Yes, I believe they do make a difference. They were std OEM in 1977. I'm sure you can find some. Try a "WTB" post in the "For sale" section. I'm sure someone who mistakenly took out/off the vents on their boat would be willing to sell them to you cheap. Probably a few sets just laying around.