Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

[rad]

I have had my first cuddy cabin boat a 1997 wellcraft 264 coastal. I noticed water in some strange places in the hull. No big deal small amounts but it puzzled me. I removed the v birth pad and looked at the tow hook thinking it may be the issue. I found it was the bow hull vent, the one just above the bow tow hook. It is of the normal type a 3 sided cover but there is nothing to prevent water from entering when the boat just a hole. While cruising slow with a few people on the bow it is very close to the water line. Is there a way to fix this or a replacement for this vent with some kind of valve? I was told by a local guy to plug it and not worry about it but I assume it is to vent gas fumes that might work there way up to the cabin and that doesnt sound very smart. Am I right abought the purpose of this vent? How can I fix the problem of water getting in through this opening?
AHA
Rad

 

[Splat]

Re: Aft Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Re: Aft Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Gonna need a pic of this opne to be sure.

Could be a bilge vent, if so you don't want to plug it.

Could also be a hood for a transducer cable that has since been removed. Then you could plug it.

Bll

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Aft Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Re: Aft Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Are you sure that is where the water is coming from??

 

[rad]

Re: Aft Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Re: Aft Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Sorry for my stupidity it is not the aft tow hook it is the bow tow hook. My bad. Yes I am sure about the leak. I pulled the v birth cover off and watched water apray in as we cruised. It is simply a half inch hole with a 3 sided cover over it. No mechanism to stop water at all. I'm sure my aft screwed everybody up. It is the bow vent by the bow tow hook sorry. I will edit the original post.
Rad

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

No need to edit, can you take pics for us, we like to see if we can, I also learn by reading posts/threads.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Aft Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Re: Aft Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Is there an anchor/rode locker up on the bow? Did there used to be? This hole/vent sounds like it could be intended to allow water to drain from an anchor locker.

 

[rad]

Re: Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

There is a anchor locker with windlass. This is below that and not connected. The drain for it is midline and drains down directly over the tow hook. I originally thought this was the source of the water but have since found this vent as the problem. I have looked at other cabin boats and they all seem to have them and all in essentially the same place a little above and to the side of the tow hook. I have been told it has to be low so it vents gas fumes that may come up the hull from the belly tank (Not sure if this is true but makes sense). Thats the reason it has to be so close to the water line. My problem is is mine broken and is there supposed to be some sort of apparatus to let fumes out and keep water from coming in? Instead of just a 1/2 hole in my hull where water is coming in at slow cruise. I will try to get a picture this afternoon if possible.
Rad

 

[Thad]

Re: Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

While cruising slow with a few people on the bow it is very close to the water line. Rad

I am not trying to rain on your parade, but check your state and local laws. Here in Illinois it is ILLEGAL for any person to sit on a closed bow and/or the aft deck while under power.

As for the hole, affraid I can't help ya

 

[rad]

Re: Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Here is a pix of the cover. The hole under the cover is about 3/8 and when the boat is dead in the water it is only about 1 foot above the water line. Nothing is connected to it on the inside. I have called Wellcraft for 2 weeks no answer yet. I called the local dealer and he is clueless. I have seen 2 other 264s with the same thing so I know it is not a owner mod. What is this thing? What is it for? It is either a drain for the achor rhode locker or a vent for gas fumes in case they track up the hull. The problem is there is nothing to stop water fron entering the boat. Is there supposed to be something inside the boat to prevent water entering? Please no quesses I have had guesses out the ears. If you know or know someone who does please let me know. Just getting frustrated at this point when the manufacturer ( or the dealer) doesn't even know what you are talking about.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

I am not trying to rain on your parade, but check your state and local laws. Here in Illinois it is ILLEGAL for any person to sit on a closed bow and/or the aft deck while under power(

thad i think you missed the point. its a cuddy cabin. no one was riding outside on the bow.

rad; i cant see why they would have it there either. may be a drain for a cooler or something not installed. we have one on our boat like that but it drains the anchor locker as someone above all ready stated.

is there any way you can stick a cork or plug in the hole while you try to figure out what the heck its there for/

 

[rad]

Re: Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

Jax that is exactly what I did. Actually a synthetic wine cork trimmed to size. Has been in there for about 20 hours water time and not leaked a bit. My only concern is if it is some kind of gas fume vent then I don't want it plugged. I just can't beleive no one can tell me what this is for. There is nothing near it but the anchor locker and I see no fittings to connect the 2. No tube or even a fitting for a tube on either end. No cooler or any other container that might need a drain is within 10 feet of this thing.
Thanks for the input
Rad

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

I have one of those. Mine is a drain line for the anchor locker. It's nowhere near the water line though.

Definitely used to be a drain for something. If it's not connected to anything just plug it up. It's too smal to be a vent.

 

[rad]

Re: Bow Hull vent question (newbie stuff)

I kind of felt the same way. Now I guess I need to see how to hook it back up. At least maybe I know what part to ask for. Obviously there is a hose to connect the drain in the anchor rhode locker to this opening. Thanks for the help if anyone with a 264 knows for sure please let me know.
Rad