Re: 1982 Skeeter SS-1 Sport Fisherman Restoration...In Progress
Dave, here are a few items regarding ventilation to consider and account for during construction of a cloased bench seat, which a fuel tank installed beneath it
Ventilation (33 CFR 175/183, 46 CFR 25)
Boats that use gasoline for electrical generation, mechanical power, or
propulsion are required to be equipped with a ventilation system
A natural ventilation system is required for each compartment in a boat that:
? Contains a permanently installed gasoline engine
? Has openings between it and a compartment that requires
ventilation
? Contains a permanently installed fuel tank and an electrical
component that is not ignition-protected
? Contains a fuel tank that vents into that compartment
(including a portable tank )
? Contains a non-metallic fuel tank
A natural ventilation system consists of:
? A supply opening (duct/cowl) from the outside air (located on the
exterior surface of the boat), or from a ventilated compartment, or
from a compartment that is open to the outside air
? An exhaust opening into another ventilated compartment or an
exhaust duct to the atmosphere
All blower motors installed in exhaust ducts must be in working
condition regardless of date of manufacture.
Each exhaust opening or exhaust duct must originate in the lower onethird
of the compartment Each supply opening or supply duct and each
exhaust opening or duct in a compartment must be above the normal
accumulation of bilge water
A powered ventilation system is required for each compartment in a
boat that has a permanently installed gasoline engine with a cranking
motor for remote starting
A powered ventilation system consists of one or more exhaust blowers
Each intake duct for an exhaust blower must be in the lower one-third
of the compartment and above the normal accumulation of bilge water
For boats built prior to 1980, there was no requirement for a powered
ventilation system; however, some boats were equipped with a blower
The U S Coast Guard Ventilation Standard, a manufacturer requirement,
applies to all boats built on or after August 1, 1980 Some
builders began manufacturing boats in compliance with the Ventilation
Standard as early as August 1978 If your boat was built on or after
August 1, 1978 it might have been equipped with either (1) a natural
ventilation system, or (2) both a natural ventilation system and a
powered ventilation system If your boat bears a label containing the
words ?This boat complies with U S Coast Guard safety standards,?
you can assume that the design of your boat?s ventilation system meets
applicable regulations
All boat owners are responsible for keeping their vessel?s ventilation
systems in operating condition This means making sure openings are
free of obstructions, ducts and ducting are not blocked or torn, blowers
operate properly, and worn components are replaced with equivalent
marine-type equipment
Yippie! Maybe I can speed up funding my project by buying a lottery ticket tonight!
