Bilge blower question

[Riley1840]

I have a 16 foot Spectrum with outboard motor and built in gas tank. Do I need a vented bilge blower? In first pic cover is removed for floor work, in 2nd cover is on. There is a small space for the bilge pump. It did not come with a blower.

 

[alldodge]

OBs are not required to have a blower

 

[Riley1840]

Thank you.

 

[airshot]

Only on inboards as there is a possible ignition source in an inboard motor where there is not on an outboard.

 

[Scott Danforth]

plenty of ignition sources on any boat with a battery, or carpet

most of the outboard boats we owned that had any covered compartment in the bilge had blowers

They are not required on any open boat, however are required on all non-open boats after model year 1982

summary from from quick google search

The USCG stipulates the use of a mechanical ventilation system for all non-open boats built after July 31, 1981 that run on gasoline.

USCG circular on fuel tanks https://uscgboating.org/library/boating-safety-circulars/BSC69.pdf

would have to dig in to the CFR's for more specific updates

 

[Riley1840]

Thank you for copy of regs. According to them I don’t need a powered ventilation system due to the way my boat is built. And that it is built after August 1980, I do need natural ventilation .

 

[briangcc]

I know my Bayliner in my signature didn't have a blower. That had a 20gallon built in gas tank. I think though the tank & lines were under the rear bench seat which was directly open to the air....been a few minutes since I owned it

 

[airshot]

Don't recall seeing an outboard with a closed area for fuel and battery. If they do, then common sense should dictate a venelation system of some sort. All my out boards have had a perforated wall to allow air to circulate freely so no fumes can gather.

 

[Riley1840]

Battery and fuel tank in different area. Battery build in floor, battery on deck in cubbyhole.

 

[airshot]

Battery and fuel tank in different area. Battery build in floor, battery on deck in cubbyhole.

The big question is....can fumes get trapped in those areas or is there air circulation ?

 

[Riley1840]

There are circulation in both arears

 

[airshot]

There are circulation in both arears

Then no need for a blower.

 

[cyclops222]

But if there is any way gasoline fumes can flow between compartment ?
Like the centerline bilge drain passage ?

 

[Riley1840]

But if there is any way gasoline fumes can flow between compartment ?
Like the centerline bilge drain passage ?

No battery sits on deck level. Gas tank is below deck.

 

[airshot]

But if there is any way gasoline fumes can flow between compartment ?
Like the centerline bilge drain passage ?

Would have to have a leak in the fuel tank, being built-in would require a deck fill cap. Unless they really get sloppy when filling he should be good.

 

[Riley1840]

Yes the tank has a fill cap in build out in front of motor, any sloppy fill would be caught there.

 

[airshot]

Yes the tank has a fill cap in build out in front of motor, any sloppy fill would be caught there.

Your lucky that yours is offset to the side a little, mine is directly in front of the motor, making it a real pain to fillup. No idea why they mounted it in such an awkward place !!

 

[Riley1840]

Yeah I hear you. It did make a pain putting new filler hose on.