Bildge vents

[dozerII]

What are your opinions on bildge vents? My Starcraft SS18 has them mounted on the sides, and I feel they are to close to the water and a large wave could send water into them. I have seen quite a few boats with stainless ones mounted on the stern above the engine and think these may be a better way to go. I would just have to figure out how to cover the holes in the sides in a way to make them look good.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Bilge vents

Re: Bilge vents

I guess my question would be what is inside the boat? Is it just open to the engine compartment or does it go to a vent hose? Then if you want to put new vents on top then just close off the old holes from the inside of the boat and just leave the outside alone. I wouldn't think that there would be enough water getting in with just a wave or splashing. The bilge pump should be able to take care of that little water.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Bildge vents

They do look a bit low. I would close them off from the inside also, but leave a small hole 1/4 inch so they can drane if water does get in them. If you put ones on top, one should be facing forword, and one backword, with flex hoses going to the bottom of engine compartment. Also one should have a blower motor mounted in the hose, so you can vent before starting the engine. I also always have the drane plug out when the boat is sitting on the trailer, to allow fumes out. This is my opinon, but I thinik I'm right. Lets see if there are any other opinons out there. Nice looking boat, and Merry Christmas.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Bildge vents

Have you had the boat in the water? Does water get into them? I would doubt it. They are there for a reason, and Starcraft felt this was the best place for them. I'd leave them alone unless you were having a water intrusion problem. Besides, why cut more holes, and add things that aren't necessary?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Bildge vents

Maybe just raise the hose as high as possible before running it into the bilge.
Gas fumes are heavy be sure the exhaust hose reaches the bottom of the bilge.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Bildge vents

Absolutely DO NOT RUN THE BLOWER DURING FUELING!! All electrical systems should be shut down, all hatches, ports and engine cover should be closed to exclude fumes from migrating down into the bilge or cabin areas.

After fueling, open the engine hatch and all ports and hatches, use your nose to sniff the bilge for fumes, then run the bilge blower for min. 4 minutes BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE(S).

This is the approved and proven method of remaining alive. Any deviation is your choice as you and your passengers will suffer the consequences of being wrong.

If you have not attended an approved Boating Safety Course then I strongly suggest you do so. If you have please review the "refueling" section, and be careful of advising people of taking actions that could endanger their lives w/o 1st verifying the accuracy of your advise.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Bildge vents

What are your opinions on bildge vents?

My Starcraft SS18 has them mounted on the sides, and I feel they are to close to the water

they could be a shade low and vents on top may have been better. but ya got what ya got. vent's w/holes in the side of your boat.

a large wave could send water into them

so does a large wave send water into them?
if not, i'd leave well enough alone. if a large wave washing water into them is a once in a while occurrence. i'd still leave well enough alone. if water washes into them often, then i'd do something along the line of the previous posters. seal it off somehow from the inside and leave the vent in place for decoration.

fwiw. my vent's are subject to taking on water too, and their mounted on the top. in backing into larger waves, i get water intrusion via the vent once in a while. it also rains in my fwd facing vents to a degree. i also may get water via the fore facing vents too in larger seas. i just use my bilge pump for what small amount of water that i get inside.. my vents are not conventional. i've got two little wings on the back that have fore and aft facing vents + one vent hole right in the center above the drive facing aft on the top of the deck. total of five vents. 4 of them have hoses leading into the bilge.

 

[Jet Wrench]

Re: Bildge vents

bilge vents usually have a plenum behind the louvres and two large diameter hoses connected from the plenum. One hose from either side gets connected to each side of the bilge blower and the other hose from each side are set low in the engine bilge area, about level with the top of the oil pan. The reason for this is that you can evacuate the fumes with the bilge blower while stationary (before engine start) and while under way with the venturi action created by the other two hoses. It is very important to maintain this ventilation at all time. Inspect your bilge blower to make sure the hoses aren't blocked and your not pulling any leaves and debris through.

JW

 

[dozerII]

Re: Bildge vents

Thanks for the responces everyone. I went out and took at the inisde portion of the vents, and there is a plastic box attatched to the inside of the vent. The box is sealed all around, with two hoses coming out the top, then the hoses go to the bottom of the bildge. The one on the starboard side has the blower in it, and the port one has just hoses. For water to actually get in the boat it would have to fill the plastic box and then come out the hoses. This would mean the water would have to be two inches above the top of the vents, if that happens I'm in trouble anyway.
Thanks again Glen

 

[dvandsm64]

Re: Bildge vents

blowers can be weird. ours once this summer was blowing fuses and when running made a growling noise. i assumed the motor was shot. what i found when i took vent hoses off, etc... to get to the blower. was someone put a wd-40 cap into our vents and it was caught in the fins of our blower.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Bildge vents

I think your vents are fine.
I was going to tell you to build a box inside just like you have and no water will get in.
One advantage to the way your are, is you can put a trailer cover on the boat without
blocking the vents so while your going down the road the vents can keep the bilge clear of any fumes.

Mine our up on top of the deck but while going down the road with the cover on they do no good.