Blower for Ventillation

[E. E.]

Is there a need for a blower found on I/O's for a boat that has an outboard with an in floor gas tank? The cranking and trolling b atteries are going to be above the floor and in random compartments in the front or rear decks.
You can see the fuel tank openings right where the center console will be. The cut out holes are what I'm referring to. The pipes sticking up are for wiring and controls to the rear and just wiring to the front. I hadn't planned on putting a blower in until I read here somewhere about a blower for internal tanks. Should I?

E.E.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Blower for Ventillation

I have a below deck tank in my boat. There is an access port (round tempress hatch) above the tank so I have the ability to turn off the fuel line.

The filler neck has it's own vent on the outside of the side of the hull.

It is a common configuration for bass boats.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Blower for Ventillation

when in doubt do it.

 

[flashback]

Re: Blower for Ventillation

EE, I would check the coast guard regs on this one.. If you have any chance of fumes gathering in the bilge and any chance of a spark, then you have the chance of blowing up...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Blower for Ventillation

flash back explained my post. if in doubt do it. better safe than sorry BOOM

 

[drewpster]

Re: Blower for Ventillation

I have this to relate just in case their are folks out there that doubt the possibility. There is a particularly busy ramp near home I use once in awhile to launch my runabout. I was there on day a few years ago putting in. I like to watch people on boat ramps to remind me what NOT to do when launching a boat. I, like most people, have on occasion once or twice forgotten to turn on the bilge fan prior to starting up. Not any more. I now have a prominent sticker near the ignition switch reminding me to turn it on. Watching a hatch from a 30 thousand dollar boat go flying through the air after a resounding BOOM will make you remember. People came running there was no resulting fire and the Captain was ok. But the boat needed a little work.
I don't no the details of what happened I only heard and saw the result. I heard gas came out of the drain plug when it was removed. Lucky !

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Blower for Ventillation

if you haven't seen this you need to :watch the video http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=191357&highlight=burning

 

[drewpster]

Re: Blower for Ventillation

Increadibile! I would have liked to see how they put it out.
Fires and sinkings are common. I have heard many horrors at my own marina.