side vents for and aft on hull

[gchop]

What purpose do these vents serve ? I have a 76 ob 23 cc the front vents are turned foward like an air scoop, nice in the hot summer but bad when sea duck hunting in winter.
I am trying to be convinced to remove them both during restoration for astetic reasons.

Any facts or opinions would be helpful

thanks, G.

[Bushwacker]

Do you like a bilge full of mold and mildew? If not, leave those vents alone!

[77SceptreOB]

Like Denny said, leave them alone. They let air circulate between the hull and the floor. They help save your floor. My floor is original (35+ years old) and completely solid. My boat is an outboard too.

Yes, the front vents face FORWARD, as you have them now. They also should have a aluminum splash guard frame around them....see below. I've never had a water entrant problem.

Jim

[gchop]

thanks for the info guys, the vents stay. I do not have the splash guards as seen in your picture. Do you think they make a difference ? This boat had big mahogany sprayrails on it that I just removed, so they probably defered water away from the vent.

[77SceptreOB]

Originally Posted by gchop

thanks for the info guys, the vents stay. I do not have the splash guards as seen in your picture. Do you think they make a difference ? .

Yes, I believe they do make a difference. They were std OEM in 1977. I'm sure you can find some. Try a "WTB" post in the "For sale" section. I'm sure someone who mistakenly took out/off the vents on their boat would be willing to sell them to you cheap. Probably a few sets just laying around.

[Old'sCool]

I re-installed mine 2 years ago with new white ones from West Marine. I would really like someone here to make/offer some SS or aluminum outer frames Sure would save on the fender damage to the vents.

[Seacret Weapon]

I don't think it's a big deal if you remove them. No other boat has vents like that, even the newer Seacrafts don't have them. I have never heard anyone complain of mold or mildew. Does it make the brand more unique? Yeah, but I personally don't like the vents in the bow.

[joshz]

Turn the forward vents around, no water will get in and you will still have good ventilation for your bilge. If you restore it I would take them out. I used to take on water thru the rear ones on crappy days drift fishing with guys jigging on one side of boat. This was on an inboard 23. I had good venting thru my console and that helped. Also the docks would bang them up or a buddy would tie up to you and bust the plastic ones.

[workinpr0gress]

Selfishly, I'd like to see one of you fellas glass them shut and then cut some slits back in so they are a flush, functional, and part of the hull. I think it would look traditional but new. I'm sure they do help to some degree, how necessary, who knows? It kinda reminds me of a old Monterey and Jim Smith's salon vents, in the hot SoFla sun they definitely felt slightly cooler and less stuffy than some other similar boats.

[BigLew]

Bilges are vented for a number of good reasons. Learn from others.

When form over takes function, performance looses.