1991 Welcraft 186 4.3 Mercruiser Help?

[starwriter]

Hello I have a 1991 Welcraft Mercruiser 4.3 that I'm restoring.
I need some help with a question I have?
I'm new with this boat stuff so please,bare with me.
Inside the boat,in the back near the right side of the engine area is the trim motor.Above the trim motor is two 4 inch flex hoses.I beleive they call it the blower motor for the engine.
Where does these hoses hookup to?These hoses look like dryer flex hose as for house cloth dryer example.
All I see is one hose going to a round plactic thing.The other hose seems to be output as coming out of the other end of the round plastic thing.Here I have two hoses I have no idea where they go.
On the dash board near the key, there is a switch that says Blower Motor.I flip the switch a fan in the back comes on.from that round plastic thing.Where does these hose go to?I don't see no hookup for these hoses at the breather or anywhere?Seems they just lay on the floor under the engine hood as for now.This seems to be for the Engine to help cool during starting & maybe running as well.Also,the hoses seems to be input & output.
I believe from what I see the hoses are hooked up to the engine blower motor.
Where do they go from the engine blower?
Seems to me they either go to the breather some how or just for the engine hood.
Location of the hoses I'm talking about:
Standing in the boat,looking towards the engine hood.To the right side under back seat is the trim motor.Above that is the two 4"-5" inch flex hoses.
Where do they hook up to?And what are they for?
Thanks!
Dan.

[achris]

They are indeed blower hoses. And they are not for engine cooling, that's what the ocean does for you... Usually a blower is to suck air (and petrol fumes) from the bilge of the boat so you don't do a 'roman candle' if you get a slight vapour leak from the fuel tank... The suction hose should lay in the bilge under the engine and the outlet side should be positioned so the fumes are expelled overboard....

HTH,

Chris.......

Here's some other websites regarding blowers..

http://www.southernskiboats.com/diy/?p=298

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...2-install.html

[jimh1626]

I have a 1988 210 Classic Well Craft. On mine there are vents on the side at the stern. There is a hole for the hose to go into and vents outside the boat.

[Oshkosh1]

One hose is connected to the fan motor and exhausts any flammable vapor.
The other is simply attatched to the inlet "scoops" so that as "dirty" air is exhausted, fresh air is simultaneously introduced.

[starwriter]

They are indeed blower hoses. And they are not for engine cooling, that's what the ocean does for you... Usually a blower is to suck air (and petrol fumes) from the bilge of the boat so you don't do a 'roman candle' if you get a slight vapour leak from the fuel tank... The suction hose should lay in the bilge under the engine and the outlet side should be positioned so the fumes are expelled overboard....

HTH,

Chris.......

Here's some other websites regarding blowers..

http://www.southernskiboats.com/diy/?p=298

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...2-install.html

Thank you all.I'm glad I asked.I was ready to hook up the hoses to the breather Lol.I see now there for Gas Vapor prevention.Seems a little strange why to have these hoses like this with a blower.Seem's a simple top vent on the hood would do the same.That's why I'm not a expert I quess.
When does this blower switch need to be on?Is it before starting the engine?Or during all operations?

If it's used for running operation, as on all the time while operating the boat?Seem's a switch isn't needed.Should be wired direct to key switch instead of a togo switch.

Example,If you don't turn on the blower switch before starting the engine.You could build up enough gas vapors to blow up you & the boat.If this is the case?Just think if someone forgot to turn on the blower switch before starting?Too late to explain that person what happened.
This blower motor should be direct wire to the key switch for at all time thinking."So,a person wouldn't forget" to turn it on before starting the engine.Or Engine shouldn't start if the blower motor isn't on as safty.
I guess my question is when should this blower motor be turned on "Running"?
Thanks Dan.

[starwriter]

Thanks everyone problem solved.

[starwriter]

I bought this boat for a winter project.During the winter I restored the floor.
Since this summer came I had it in the water a few times seems to be ok.
In our town we have two lakes that join together between a channel.First lake is calm.The other lake is ruff like lake Michagan.I took the boat out today.Started in the calm lake.Seems I'm getting alot of vibrations in the boat & stearing.
I then took it though the channel to the ruffer lake.When,I got into the ruffer lake the vibrations seemed to go away.
I'm new at boating.First timer so to speak.Could it of just been the sea weed.Would see weed cause vibrations?The calm lake has alot of sea weed.
Or is there something on the boat I need to check?
Thanks!

[grarrsmi]

Yes weeds will make it vibrate. Just put the boat in reverse and they will come off the prop.

[jimh1626]

Turn the blower on before you start the engine. You need the blower because gas vapor will linger and may not vent out on it's own. It is heavier than air. I start my blower right before I back down the ramp to launch. By the time I am ready to start the motor all the vapor is gone. You can turn off the motor once you have started the engine.

[MarkSee]

I'm new at boating.First timer so to speak.

Welcome to Iboats.

You might consider taking a safe boating course that will help educate you and most likely also find folks local that you could take the boat to for visual help.

Mark