Hull Vents

[SC204]

I own a 1986 CC.The hull vents seem to take in water from time to time.Does anybody know anything about filling these in?I know they were put there for a reason but will it harm the interior of the hull by blocking these and cutting out ventilation?

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Bottomline
If you are running a outboard you should be ok to fill them up but is you are a I/O or Inboard guy I would leave them in. If you are using a outboard your only concern is for gas fumes from the tank not the motor which can be vented from under the center consol by placing a vent there or from under the cap by placing 2 two inch diameter vents on either side of the transom area above the storage boxes or there about. That is a simple glass job remove the vents epoxy backing behind and then fill in with glass resin and paint or gelcoat to match.
http://www.classicseacraft.com/mcgovern23page3.htm
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Capt Chuck]

Bottom Line

This question has appeared several times on the CSC forums. You can go back under the search menu and read them all. [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

There is a controversy whether or not these vents are necessary. Some say yes and others say no Many have removed them and glassed over the holes for a personal preference of appearance. However I will note my .02

Originally, these air vents were required by the GC for boats with below deck gas tanks. They also helped with the removal of the gasoline vapors created by the models with inboard engines. Blower motors were installed in the bilges that were run a few minutes prior to starting the engines thus removing the flash point for ignition, created by the battery and the starter. The aft vents had two dryer type vent tubes connected whereas one faced forward and the other into the bilge. The forward vents faced the bow and the aft vents faced the fantail. There is an air channel molded in between the inner liner and the hull that runs fore & aft. These channels caused the air to be drawn naturally into the forward vents and channeled out the aft, removing these vapors. As time progressed, it was found that below deck air movement also served another vital purpose. The dampness that was naturally being collected below decks was being removed. This allowed the decks to breath and reduced the rotting of the wood core balsa.

I have owned my SeaCraft for 19 years and have only had one minor deck problem, which was caused by my own negligence Water does not enter the forward vents in rough water as the chines push the water up the sides of the boat aft of these vents! Maybe a little comes in during wash down. My biggest problem is with the mud-dauber wasps building their nests in the channels.

It then is in my opinion, that these vents are more helpful than detrimental and therefore, I would not remove them and glass in the channels. I recently discussed these issues with Mr. Potter and he agreed

[Rufridr069]

In my opinion the vents distinguish the SeaCrafts from the wannabe SeCrafts. Plus its gotta help dry the bilges out.I have seen covers that go inside the vents but I cant remember were I saw them. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[SC204]

forgot to mention,the boat's a 20'therfore an outboard.The rear end of the boat sits so low on the water that the vents are probably no more than a foot above the waterline.I have 1 battery in each aft box so I figured if I could keep the water off them in rough seas great but the whole ventilation thing sounds key.It has been suggested I move the batteries under the console to avoid that much extra weight on the ass end.We'll see [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[MM33]

I had my batteries in the rear boxes and had them moved to under the console. Man, what a difference in weight. Now Iwhen fishing the gunwhales rarely submerge.

[FXRSCOTTY]

Bottomline, i also have an 20 and have never taken water in the vents. I have raised the transom to take a 25 inch motor and that helps a lot. The only time I take water in the well is when two of us are shuking scallops in the stern. Then it gets in the hatch but the bilge takes care of it. I only have a 135 on the boat so it's not that heavy. Scotty.