Kaboom-proofing I/O

[jackr800000]

The previous owner of my boat removed the jump seats from both sides of the doghouse. After reading several threads about running blower continuously (which most inexpensive blowers were not designed for (and creating a hazard in itself)), I was considering leaving the seats out, eliminating the confined space problem. At times (WOT) the engine is louder than the radio, but once planed out, and throttle is pulled back to cruising speed, not that bad. Most of the comments I have read on this subject are about insulating the engine compartment, for noise, etc. Am I missing something here? Is it safer to let the bilge / engine compartment breathe better? Or safer to insulate engine from cockpit? If it is just for sound, I will leave it open.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

just run the blowers. mine run all the time

 

[QC]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

I'd make sure my bilge is ventilated properly with hoses that reach to the bottom, and run the engine. It exchanges more air than the blowers IMHO I'd also calibrate my Rhinometer (nose) to gasoline and be done with it. I am not in the run the blower all the time camp although I completely respect those that do, and Scott ^^^^^ is an excellent mariner. I have sucked junk into one and seized it. Now carry a spare, but would prefer to leave it for startup as intended. With that said, some run bowers at wakeless speeds 100%. I am more supportive of this as a prevention for vapor lock.

Moving to non-Repair I/O.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Walt T]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

If your doghouse is made of 'glass then perhaps make one out of wood to replace it using marine treated ply at least 1/2" thick. Wood cuts noise way better than 'glass. If it's already glass, well then turn up the stereo so Ernest Tubb and the Pioneers come blasting out those subs.

 

[jackr800000]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Thank you for the response folks. I like the idea of running flex from the intake louvre to to bottom of bilge, so that when the engine sucks in combustion air it goes to area where fumes would build up. The other safety concern that I have is the way they foamed in my fuel tank in the bow. I crawled up in there to check hoses, etc. and saw that the aluminum tank is held in place by foam, and if you pull on the tank you can move it a bit, so the only thing holding it down is gravity. I would imagine that when bouncing over wakes, the tank could be moving up and down, and maybe stressing out the welds on the tank? How does everyone else secure their tanks?

 

[alldodge]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Thank you for the response folks. I like the idea of running flex from the intake louvre to to bottom of bilge, so that when the engine sucks in combustion air it goes to area where fumes would build up. The other safety concern that I have is the way they foamed in my fuel tank in the bow. I crawled up in there to check hoses, etc. and saw that the aluminum tank is held in place by foam, and if you pull on the tank you can move it a bit, so the only thing holding it down is gravity. I would imagine that when bouncing over wakes, the tank could be moving up and down, and maybe stressing out the welds on the tank? How does everyone else secure their tanks?

:welcome: to iboats

Most but not all tanks are foamed in. They are also usually installed under the flooring which will help secure them. That being said, the tank should not be moving when foamed. Sounds like your tank has broken loose. Need to remove the tank, take all the foam out and inspect then tank. Then prime, paint and refoam the tank back in place

 

[JustJason]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

As long as your starter, alternator, distributor are all marine/factory parts. And as long as your fuel lines are all A1 hoses, in good shape with everything double clamped. Then I would just use the boat like it was intended to be used. You don't have to worry about anything blowing up when your up and running. When your up and running the engine is ingesting all the air in that compartment and drawing in air by the Metric Ship Ton.

It is when you shut the engine off. Gas fumes from the intake can rise out of the carb/throttle body, and then fall and collect in the bilge. That is the point of the blower, to suck those fumes out. And as long as that's happening, you have no worries of kabooming the boat. If you really really want to, you can get and install a gasoline fume detector in the bilge.

 

[jackr800000]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Thanks for the advice guys, this is my first I/O boat, and I want to make sure it is as safe as I can get it, we bought the boat last fall, and only had it out on the lake twice before it was time to winterize it. Looking forward to some warmer weather to re-foam tank, tune it up, add smart tabs, and have some fun with family.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Don't you already have vents on the side of your boat with flex hoses that go into the bilge?

I don't run my blower when I am running. The amount of air entering the bilge is way more than the blower can possibly provide.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Ventilation systems are designed to work the way they were designed. Removing the seats have changed the air flow altogether. That may work as an improvement or a detriment.

I'd put the seats back. If you don't want the seats, build panels to cover the holes and carpet them or cover with vinyl or something to make it attractive. Otherwise I WOULD run the blower continuously because without the seats the normal discharge vent might not be pulling the air (and vapors) out.

 

[jackr800000]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Here is a photobucket link to a picture of my engine with doghouse removed, the only flex hose is the one going to blower

 

[jackr800000]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Here is picture with doghouse on, and seats still out

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Do you have vents on the sides of the boat at the rear?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Hey guy... When you are running there are not any vapors, not unless you have a fuel leak. (and if you do, you have big problems). Vapors only build up when you take a hot engine and shut it off.

 

[jackr800000]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Do you have vents on the sides of the boat at the rear?

Yes it has vents on each side

 

[thumpar]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

My engine is fully enclosed with shielding around it. The sun deck is above it. The only time I run my blowers is when I am going to start it up and for a little while after we stop. The most important thing is that you use marine parts on the engine.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

Take a look at this diagram from Chapman's...
I'd also advise anyone with an Inboard or I/O to install a fuel vapor alarm....

 

[thumpar]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

That seems like an older style system. My intakes are toward the middle of the boat (the crown emblem) and the exhaust is a single just above the platform. My old boat had a system like that but vents on the sides.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

View attachment 226350Take a look at this diagram from Chapman's...
I'd also advise anyone with an Inboard or I/O to install a fuel vapor alarm....

Only problem with the alarms is they don't last very long. I have one and it went bad several years ago, was constantly going off. Finally cut the wires

 

[jackr800000]

Re: Kaboom-proofing I/O

I just pulled the cover off of the boat to have a look, and it looks like someone removed the air inlet flex line, so they could run the transducer wire through the vent louvre, instead of drilling a hole in the transom, so fresh air maybe isn't getting where it needs to go. Good thing for this forum, I'm glad I asked the question.