Engine room ventilation holes have water getting in

[Boater On Thames]

My engine room ventilation holes have water getting in when raining. I found that years ago, but just forgot to deal with it. The problem is my batteries are also under the engine ventilation holes. So batteries get wet when raining. The funny thing is that seems no harm at all over the few years. But I wonder if this is normal or not? I am thinking maybe put a tray with a hose on it to catch the water and drain it to the bilge. Or, maybe connect a long flexible pipe onto the ventilation holes to drain water to the bilge directly, but worry about the airflow may get worst if I do that. Any ideas or advice? Many thanks.

 

[Portofino]

Not normal .Should have baffles and a collection box , draining somewhere .This drain ideally should be out not just in the bilge .
Also ideally the batteries should have covers of sorts to keep them dry , the electrodes and leads bolted on .

I mean be able to prevent water ingress in the ER in fierce beam seas maintaining dry batteries as well .

What type of boat is it ?

 

[Boater On Thames]

Thanks. Totally no such design or structure in my boat. The boat is an American made Cruisers Yachts 3850.

Looks like need to DIY something to fix it.

 

[Megs20Burt!]

I have the same problem with my Cruisers Yacht. On the starboard side are all of the bus bars tabbed to the Hull right under the waterfal. ?

Working on a solution, but it’s a pain. Great design, don’t they have rain in the States?

 

[BruceK]

boat is an American made Cruisers Yachts

Great design, don’t they have rain in the States?

ditto, except when I looked closely there is a drain point with a hose into the bilge area. What happens is it quickly blocks with crud, dams up, and then slops over the lip. It's a common irritation on many of the owner forums there. If you cant identify it by the down pipe chance are the downpipe has at some point been removed or fallen off. On mine it is not easy to see. Common practise though is to change OEM vents to downward slatted type. Many aftermarket spares about there to facilitate this.

 

[PCUK]

Many American boats are designed for lake use, mine included. Have a look at Vetus engine room vents and the collector boxes designed to go with them. That will give you an idea of what's needed.