bildge ventalation

[dmunneke]

I am thinking of venting the mid and forward bildges into the read sealed bildge area to draw fresh are down rather than vent musty air up. Using a through bulkihead fitting and running a constant 12v 2-speed fan.

Is this legal or does this make it un-sealed ?

Alternatively could I run a duct through the bulkhead and vent on my back deck or transome ? this would leave the bulkhead sealed.

 

[Vic Willman]

My knee-jerk reaction would be to say, it wouldn't be considered to be a sealed area any longer. However, that's beyond my area of expertise, so I'll defer to the experts. Try asking it on the Marine Surveyor Forum - Al ought to know what the regs are.

 

[Shadowcruzr]

The space containing gas be it in tanks or in engines must be kept seperate an sealed from the living spaces and must vent only to space outside the boat. Venting the forward bilges into the engine space may pressurize it and for fumes into the living spaces.
If you are going to vent this bilges, make sure they are vented outside the boat and in such a manner as to not suck in exhaust or fuel vapors