[C320-list] Bilge blower

[Joe M]

When I shut blower, the engine temp is higher. If I should develop an
exhaust leak, the blower will keep it clear down there, peace of mind.

I think I will switch to the jabsco squirrel cage blower. I also have
already for next season, added sound insulation to both engine covers and
the engine needs air to breathe. I think the blower is a good idea.

We are on a mooring and frequently overnight, so we use the engine to make
hot water. Between the engine and the blower, the noise is maddening after
a while.

Thanks for all the input!  :-)
Joe 2002 C320 hull #902

On Wed, Dec 15, 2021 at 9:07 PM Joe Luciano <jnluciano at comcast.net> wrote:

> Unless you run your blower 24/7, it won’t protect you from a propane leak
> that could make it to your bilge while sleeping or while relaxing at
> anchor.  Doesn’t seem like logical reasoning to me.  The propane tank
> locker has a low point vent overboard.  You can also place a propane alarm
> in your bilge.
>
> Joe
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Dec 15, 2021, at 4:22 PM, Ade Bateman <ade.bateman at outlook.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > Years ago, when I took boat safety classes, I was taught that bilge
> blowers were installed on diesel engine boats that had propane, because
> propane is heavier than air and will also sit in the bilge.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of
> Joe Luciano
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 1:35 PM
> > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Bilge blower
> >
> > Agree with Jack.  I never use mine either with a Diesel engine.  Just
> isn’t necessary unless you like extra noise.  Different story altogether
> with a gasoline engine.  I’ve seen a gasoline power boat blow up at the
> dock due to a buildup of fumes in the bilge.
> >
> > Joe Luciano
> > #1044
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Dec 15, 2021, at 12:19 PM, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Blowers originally came into use for gasoline engines, the idea being
> that you remove potentially explosive gases from the bilge before causing a
> spark by starting the engine. It has never been clear to me why Catalina
> installed the blowers in boats using diesel, which is not explosive.
> >>
> >> If you have an extremely tight engine compartment, the diesel can run
> short of air. But I’ve never found that to be the case with my 320. The
> housings at front and rear are not air tight by any means. You can tell
> when an air shortage  happens because the engine will not run properly.
> >>
> >> I don’t think they’re necessary, and I’ve never used mine. They
> wouldn’t even remove much stink from the bilge because there is only a
> couple of small holes connecting the engine compartment to the main bilge.
> >>
> >> Jack Brennan
> >> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> >> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> >>
> >>
> >> Sent from Mail for Windows
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>