Vent Holes

[BigMike8o9]

I noticed on the Hermco website in gallery one, they filled in the side vents and it looks way more modern and custom. Is there a reason that theese vents should be there?
I would like to fill mine in. Should I put breather in elsewhere on the boat and whats the best location? I would think that some venting of the hull for batery or gas fumes would be normal.
BigMike

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I didn’t like the vents either so I filled in my 4 vents for the same reason you stated. I did add one vent in the deck over the gas tank and under the CC just in case, there are also two small vents on mine under the cap above the two round hatches close to the transom. There has been some discussion regarding the need for them or not lets see if I can remember some of the points. I guess first off if you have a i/o or inboard boat you should leave them in or you will need to vent the bilge with blowers. If you have a outboard motor some say its ok like me and others say to leave them in for ventilation not Just for Gas ventilation but also for drying out the boat in the bilge area. I didn’t feel that was much of a good reason so I took mine out. I remember one guy saying to leave them in because by leaving them in you can let more water INTO the boat that way. (SinkCrafts) [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Capt Chuck]

Big mike

Many discussions such as this have been posted before. You can use the "Search" function on this forum to go back and read them. In case you might be a having trouble
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Click Here-----------------> Vents

[captj2]

Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built before August 1st, 1978, must have either natural or powered ventilation in the compartment; those built after that date need not have any ventilation in the fuel tank compartment provided the compartment conforms with construction standards.

It is still a good idea to vent the fuel compartment. Most center consols have cutouts for steering lines and wiring which allows gas fumes to enter the center console and with all the wiring and switches there are plenty of ignition sources. Without well placed vents a fuel leak can turn a boat into a bomb. If it can happen, it will happen and it will happen at the worst possible time!!!!!!!

[BigMike8o9]

I think I'll put vents in the pocket for the washdown system on top so you can't see them unless you lay down. A small builge fan to dry out the boat and keep fumes out of the cabin.
I wouldn't think fumes would be a problem. I have an outboard soon to be two on a bracket. But just in case a spill or to dry out after a thunder storm

[abl1111]

My.02

The vent holes seem like a great idea to ventilate the boat from moisture as well as potential gas fumes. They jam air flow into the hull when underway, and while at the dock, they allow a great amount of air to constantly move around. Moisture under ANY deck is not a good thing - and moisture does get under every deck !

I have a fuel injected i/o and decided to keep them for those reasons. Besides, they are a trademark of the great boat I have.