Water through my vent openings
 

This past weekend was the first time I've had a full load in my Rage. Full tanks and 5 adults. Coming off of plane the wake washed onto the swim platform and into the vents to the engine compartment, drowning my bilge blower. :( I usally goose the throttle a bit after dropping off plane so that doesn't happen, but with the heavier load I had more of a wake catching up with me. I learned to compensate but I was wondering if anyone has come up with a work around for this? I was thinking about a large t fitting of some sort with a flapper valve, spliced in line between the blower and the vent in the transom, set in a low point. the weight of the water could exit out the botton through the flapper into the bilge. Has anyone done something like this or have a better idea?

Thanks, Pat

Re: Water through my vent openings
 

Pat,
Trimming all the way down, and tabbing down (if you have them) should hold your transom higher while coming off plane.
Good idea on the flapper. I think turning your bilge blower on prior to coming off plane might help.
Steve

Re: Water through my vent openings
 

Thanks Steve - I got enough water through at one point to pull the vent hose off the cover on the transom and blow the fuse on the blower. Once I realized what was going on I adjusted my driving and found that trimming down all the way as I slowed helped. Learn as I go type of situation. I'm going to try and come up with something to go in line between the blower and vent to let the water into the bilge in the event of future mental lapses!

Re: Water through my vent openings
 

I went through 3 bilge blowers when I had my rage before I figured where the water was coming from. I learned a good fix from a friend that has a 28 heat. I don't remember the size, however, I believe it is a one and a half inch PVC 45 degree elbow that fits into the plastic vent. I installed one on each side using tiny screws around the radius of the vent and then sealing with clear RTV. I then attached the vent hose over the 45 degree elbow. Never had any water after the fix.
Bill

Re: Water through my vent openings
 

BOATERH

I'm trying to visualize what your describing. Were you adding the 45° bends only to help keep the hose attached? Or did the addition of the bend and smaller diameter help prevent the water from entering the vent pipe?

Thanks again, Pat

Re: Water through my vent openings
 

I would think it's just easier to watch your stern wake as you slow then to go rigging some contraption. Go off plane slow and goose the trottle if you see the stern wake catching up with you, end of problem.

Re: Water through my vent openings
 

Pat,
The rage sets low enough in the water that water pours throuh the vent when setting still in rough water. The addition of the 45 degree elbow installed pointed in the upward direction stops the water from flowing into the vent.

Re: Water through my vent openings
 

Thanks for the info. That would be a lot simpler than what I was coming up with. Prior to last weekend I'd never had that problem because I usually run with a light load. The location of the vents is secondary to style concerns but can create a problem. With full tanks and 5 adults the swim step was just barely above the water's surface. I appreciate your advice. :drink: