Engine Air Vents

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David of Essex

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On my boat there is 6x6'' air intakes to the engine room. Is it best to block these up during the winter period?. I have a tube heater in the bay and I will be using the boat on occasions during the winter.
David
ps Happy New Year to all
 
I have not blocked mine over the past two winters and my tube heater has done a good job so far. Therefore I would be tempted to leave them. This also reducess the chance of condensation build up with consequent problems with electrics.
 
If you dont live on board and the boat is weatherproof,where would the condensation come from?Never had a prob. with condensation,only when your cooking or sleeping on board in damp weather.
 
If there is no air circ then there will be condensation. Substitute you for the heaters, and what do you get? Condensation if hatches etc closed. Same thing in the engine room.
 
If you've got a heater, close them or most of the heat will escape. If you don't have a heater keep them open.

I close mine and as far as condensation....there is none. I' am continuously measuring the relative humidity in the engine bay and with the vents closed I get between 30-60%, with them open I get 60-95%.

BTW, close them with some sort of insulation material, it will help you avoid condensation on the sealer surface. Also I've got sandwich hull so there is some insulation all over. If you got a pure glass-fiber hull then maybe you will have condensation problems.
 
Last edited:
rafiki_ said:
If there is no air circ then there will be condensation. Substitute you for the heaters, and what do you get? Condensation if hatches etc closed. Same thing in the engine room.
Click to expand...

If the air is dry enough on the inside there will be no condensation, independent of circulation or not.
 
I have sprayed WD40 all over engine and put a 15 tog duvet over engine, I think I will close most of the vents and leave the heater in place. Time tells.
David
 
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