Do you leave the blower on a boat?

It is a good idea to leave the blower running for a little while more. Doing so will protect your boat from damage, and might even save your life in the process. When you spill some fuel inside the bilge, it will continue to emit flammable vapors inside the bilge.

Do you need to turn the blower on in a boat?

You need to also turn the blowers on (or leave them on) between starts when you are using the boat for water sports. Each time you shut down you risk fuel build up and you'll have people climbing in and out of the boat don't restart if you haven't run the blower.

Should you run your boat blower all the time?

However, most bilge blowers are NOT designed for continuous use. They are designed to be run for a short while only. If you run them continuously you may burn them up or even start a fire.

What is the point of a blower on a boat?

In gas-powered boats, there should be one blower for each engine. The blower's primary job is to remove any gasoline vapors in the engine room. These vapors are highly explosive and if ignited by a spark can destroy the boat and anyone on or beside the boat.

When should I turn off my boat blower?

Turn it off when refueling, then turn it on once the tank is filled. If any flammable gases made their way into the bilge. The blower will exhaust them out so you can start your boat without worrying.

Why to Always Use the Boat Blower

How long should a ventilation blower operate after fueling?

These fumes can accumulate in your bilge and lead to an explosion. That's why you should close all cabin doors and hatches to avoid letting fumes inside. After fueling, be sure to run your blower for at least four or five minutes and make sure you cannot smell gas before starting your engine.

Why should a boats gas tank never be completely filled?

It's important to never fill the tank of your boat beyond 90% full. This leaves room for gas to expand and avoids the potential for overflow. Ensure that all air vents and valves to the gas tank are open.

What does a bilge do on a boat?

The bilge is the lowest inner part, or bottom point, on a boat, and is designed to collect excess water. On vessels of virtually any size, a pump inside the bilge performs a very important function: to remove accumulated water by creating pressure or suction so that the water can be removed.

What must you do when anchoring at night?

How long should you let the ventilation system run before starting the engine?

Note: The USCG recommends that a powered ventilation system be turned on four minutes before starting your boat's engine and for at least four minutes after you've fueled your boat. This will clear out any fumes that may have settled.

Should I leave my bilge pump on?

Because the bilge collects water, a bilge pump there to draw the water out. It will use pressure or suction to do this. Without a functioning bilge pump, your boat will be subject to flooding. Additionally, if you don't maintain your bilge pumps the bilge water can get dirty and polluted.

How often should you run bilge pump?

It should check for water every two minutes. Nothing should come out of the bilge unless it has been raining or you have been in rough water.

Do bilge pumps come on automatically?

Today, most bilge pumps come on automatically. This is because they are built with an automatic float switch that turns the bilge pump on when water levels in the bilge start to rise.

How far do you back a boat trailer into the water?

It should be just about as deep as it was when taking the boat off, and in most cases, about two-thirds of the trailer will be submerged while one-third remains out of the water. Don't submerge the trailer too deep, or the bow of the boat may float over the bunks and go off to the side.

What is the problem with using your boat's engine to drive it onto a trailer?

Using the boat's engine to load onto the trailer is dangerous to your equipment and the people around the loading area. It also erodes the material at the end of the ramp which leads to its deterioration. Power-loading also upsets the no-wake zone surrounding the loading and unloading ramp areas.

How often should boat oil be changed?

Most manufacturers recommend you change your boat's oil every 50 to 100 hours of operation. Sometimes this is translated to once every year, whichever comes first.

Why must you operate the exhaust blower before starting a boat inboard gasoline?

If your boat is equipped with a power ventilation system (exhaust blower), turn it on for at least four minutes before starting your engine. This will help eliminate fuel vapors in the bilge. Before starting the engine, sniff the bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapors.

What causes a boat to explode after refueling?

Gasoline fumes are the major cause of boat explosions, and because they usually happen when someone is aboard, they often cause serious injuries.

What are the vents on the back of a boat for?

A natural ventilation system consists of a minimum of two ventilator ducts—an intake duct to bring fresh air into the bilge and an exhaust duct to remove fumes from the bilge. Air moves through the ducts as the boat is in motion. Each duct is also fitted with a cowl, or a hood-shaped covering, to help increase airflow.

How does water get in the bilge of a boat?

Water that does not drain off the side of the deck or through a hole in the hull, typically via a scupper, drains down into the ship into the bilge. This water may be from rough seas, rain, leaks in the hull or stuffing box, or other interior spillage.

Does battery need to be on for bilge pump?

Bilge pumps have 2 hot lead. 1 for the switch, and the other direct to battery and float switch. No if you turn off the battery, then hit the bilge it will not work.

Can you run bilge pump dry?

The last sentence on this pump label reads, "Do not run dry." This is sound advice. Avoid cycling your bilge pump if there's no water in the bilge to lubricate it.

How do you cool a boat engine room?

For cooling, the exhaust fans should be mounted high in the engine room, where the hot air gathers naturally, and as far as possible from the intake ducting, which should introduce fresh air lower down in the space.