Hull vents

[kbert1171]

Do all bass/pleasure boats have vents for the hull? I have a 87 Astroglass 151 Bass and I want to install an anchor winch, and the place I need it has a rear facing vent. The forward facing is on the opposite side.
Are these necessary or can I remove it and mount the winch over it?

 

[crazy charlie]

The vents are multi-purpose.They allow fumes and vapor and heat and moisture to escape and the reverse vent pulls fresh air in as you are under way.I would not recommend eliminating any vents.Perhaps you can relocate a vent or extend the size of it,etc.Charlie

 

[Scott Danforth]

vents are there to direct air flow in the bilge to prevent your boat from blowing up.

 

[kbert1171]

Thanks fellas. I'll definitely move the vent to another location. I assumed they had a purpose, I simply didn't understand what that purpose was. I appreciate the help.

 

[Chris1956]

Don't move the vent, move the winch. The vents are in the correct place to ventilate the bilge.

 

[kbert1171]

There really is no other place for the winch.
It's very large and takes up nearly all the space I have. I have no idea where else to mount it. Any suggestions?
Forgive the mess, I'm in the middle of rewiring the boat, as the old wiring was quite atrocious.

 

[Chris1956]

You realize those pictures illustrate your winch. They could be used in advertising. I am not an expert on your boat, and cannot see the point of the vents.

Show us the vents in relation to the boat. The boat bilge can collect gasoline vapors, if that happens, there is a small chance on an outboard, and a large chance on in inboard/sterndrive for an explosion. I for one, would respect the OEM designers of the ventilation system.
Maybe the vent is for a fish well, but there is no way to tell.

 

[kbert1171]

There are two of these. One on each side. One (port side)has a flexible duct which goes down into the bilge opening. The other side (starboard) has none at all. Idk if it used to at one time, or not. Starboard side opening faces forward, port faces rearward.
The rear facing one is the one in question. That is where I need to mount the winch, as the is no other option. Everywhere else is a hatch on the deck for one compartment or another. And I don't feel it would hold well there, as they could lift open during retrieval of the anchor. The side rail is far too narrow to mount it to. So I'm kinda stuck. Hence, the request for help.

 

[kbert1171]

The vents are multi-purpose.They allow fumes and vapor and heat and moisture to escape and the reverse vent pulls fresh air in as you are under way.I would not recommend eliminating any vents.Perhaps you can relocate a vent or extend the size of it,etc.Charlie

Looks like I'll have to relocate it. I can move it to the side towards the outboard and it will still pull air out of the hull/bilge. I've looked at this every way I can manage, and the current vent location is the ONLY place I can mount the winch.

 

[froggy1150]

Go above. Get some nice hefty box tubing and a plate and bolt it all together

 

[kbert1171]

I suppose that would work. Thanks.

 

[Stinnett21]

Didn't realize outboards needed vents. Looking at pics online I see very few vents if any.

 

[kbert1171]

I suppose it ventilates the area where the fuel tank and batteries are.
I'm simply going to build an aluminum bridge over it to mount the winch on. So I won't have to move the vent and it will not interfere with its function.

 

[Chris1956]

It is not a bad idea to ventilate an outboard boat. They do not require powered (blower) ventilation, but passive ventilation will remove any fuel fumes, help the bilge dry out and help keep corrosion down.

I had a seacock handle in the bilge rust out on me, and my OB boat has vents. It lasted 22 years, and was zinc plated steel, so I am not too upset. it was a bit difficult to get a replacement.