1967 SeaMaster 27 ft

[BigLew]

Don,

My intention here is not to "one up you" but rather say to the others that are reading this the following, as I have mentioned in other discussions on this forum dealing with the subject of filling in/removing hull vents.

I was sailing on a fresh water lake in one of the Carolinas 35+ years ago and watched a teenager jump in the family's Donzi tied to their dock in front of their cottage. He turned the ignition key to start the engine WITHOUT taking the few minutes to run the bilge blower OR open the engine hatch to vent the bilge. The boat blew up in front of my eyes in a ball of fire.

That young boy didn't make it home for dinner ever again. TRAGIC!!!

I guess I'm too sensitive on the subject but safety beats appearance in this case. I don't think looking cool is better than being dead or maimed.

Just my 2 cents.