Boat Vents and Blowers

[kkuhia]

My 20ft 1987 Bayliner Capri (w/ Volvo Penta 4 cyl AQ131A) has two vents on the side of the boat to ventilate the bilge area. One side as a blower fan low in the bilge area with flexible hosing (prob 4") going out the vent. The other side only has about a foot of hose ending high in the bilge area (connected to the vent of course). I've read some past posts that say you should have two blower fans and then some that say you only need one fan and one with no fan for a smaller boat.

Is one blower fan and one open hose what I'm supposed to have on a 20ft Bayliner with a 4 cyl Volvo engine?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Boat Vents and Blowers

One blower, pulling air from the lowest point in the bildge, blowing it out of the vent is sufficient. If vents are directional, this vent would vent toward the rear of the boat.

 

[astro4prez]

Re: Boat Vents and Blowers

One of the vents is to take in fresh air as well.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Boat Vents and Blowers

Any boat with an I/O no matter how small needs a blower and you probably don't see too many with 2 until you go over 30 ft but regardless you can't have too much fresh air in there!

 

[stevieray]

Re: Boat Vents and Blowers

My 1988 23' Celebrity is set up the same way. The louvers on the intake vent face forward & the louvers on the outlet (the one connected to the blower) face aft. That way you get good air circulation thru the engine compartment while running on plane without using the blower.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Boat Vents and Blowers

My 1988 23' Celebrity is set up the same way. The louvers on the intake vent face forward & the louvers on the outlet (the one connected to the blower) face aft. That way you get good air circulation thru the engine compartment while running on plane without using the blower.

21'2" and I've got 2 blowers in mine. 2 Clamshell vents for fresh air up front...

You can NEVER have too many blowers on Gasoline Powered I/O

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Boat Vents and Blowers

Factory set up is as you described. One vent in to supply fresh air, one vent out with blower to suck it out. This is the minimum. We had the same set-up on our old 28' crusier. We modified and added a blower on the intake. I've heard you don't want to use the intake blower when fueling the boat as it may suck in fumes. We used a two stage switch for this reason. I'd say you are okay as is but make sure the vent hoses are not blocked. Mine was plastic dryer vent (stock Bayliner, go figure) it was crushed and melted from rubbing the ehaust manifold. I replaced it with the metal foil flex vent to correct this problem. Home Cheapo has it.

BTW use the metal foil vent for home too (Dryers, etc.) plastic causes fires.

 

[kkuhia]

Re: Boat Vents and Blowers

Thanks for all the replies! Looks like I'm good to go with my one blower and my one intake vent. I'll have to make sure the vent covers are pointed the right way.