Snorkel Kit - Air Nautique 216

[laker220]

Hey thinking of a solution for weighting down the boat for surfing and was thinking that a snorkel would be a great idea. The 216 throws a good wake on the starboard side which of course is the same side as the vent. Looking at the existing vent looks like I could thread out the existing cap/cover and thread in a snorkel. Seems like a good idea right now anyway......haha. On the vent, what is that threaded piece on the outside of the boat that threads into the vent and can it be removed? Anyone know??

I'll post some pics of what I make after I get this figured out.

Thanks

[laker220]

So I tried to remove the outer portion of the gas vent.......the part that i assumed was just threaded in (has an allen key recessed on it) and the whole vent turned. Anyone verify for me how the outside of this vent valve is made up? How do I get it apart or can I? Think the snorkel is an excellent idea. I guess I could re-vent to somewhere else to just not sure where I would take it too.

[CradGen2]

I think the allen is there for tighting the vent. You will need to reach up under the hull and disconnect the hose (clamp) and you will find a nut on the back. Unscrew that and the whole vent pops out. Might I suggest rather then using a snorkel kit (not sure what that is) just move the vent to the back of the boat. Buy another vent and drill it in. Extend the hose to wherever you decide to put it. Plug the whole on the old vent so water doesn't get in.

[laker220]

SOunds easy enough and it probably is but I am very leary of drilling another hole in my hull. Maybe there is somewhere else that I could run the hose to and not have to drill another hole. Any suggestions out there? Anyone done anything like this?

[DealsGapCobra]

I am with you on hating to drill holes in my boat. On my old boat (10 years old at the time) I drilled for a bilge pump fitting and was pretty sick until the job was done and it looked and worked great. On my nice shiney new Nautique I had to drill for two extra cleats and just added a sub wolfer...all requiring holes. In every case I was very careful and have not regretted the decision. It sounds to me like adding the vent in the stern is the thing to do...just think it through first and make shure your tube routing will work inside before you drill.

The snorkel may work fine but I am not sure about your plan. If it extends up past the deck, I can see it being knocked off by a rope, line or careless passenger. Please let us know what you decided and I would love to see photos.

[laker220]

Ya, i checked with our local dealer about a new vent and then I can move it and like was mentioned earlier, plug the old one.

As for drilling through the hull......ugh!!! I have been told that the best thing to do is to use a hole saw and run it in reverse until I am through the gel coat (essentially it melts it's way through) then after that run the hole saw in forward to get through the rest of the fiberglass.

Is this the best way to go? Any other ideas that have worked? What did you do DealsGapCobra to cut your holes?

[DealsGapCobra]

I just covered it with painters tape, used a hole saw and light pressure until into the glass.

[laker220]

Just not sure if I can bring myself to cut a hole in a perfectly good boat yet.......hahahaha. So, I took another look at the vent. It's an Attwood thru-hull vent and it is a 2 piece for sure. The outside portion is removable with an allen key (3/16") and there is a little steel mesh filter in it. I believe it is a 3/8 NPT threaded fitting. I am on my way to pick up a brass fitting (male pipe to barb and a 90 and some clear flexible tubing). This should work pretty well. Nothing solid to hook a rope on and vented to the inside of the boat and completely removable/changeable to original at any point in time. If all works as planned, will post some pics later today.

BTW.......Love Father's day........I play on the boat and breakfast is being prepared for me as we speak.......life rocks!!!!!

[laker220]

Snorkel Project Complete - Pics Attached

OK, hit the local Home Depot and the project is complete..........all 3/8 fittings and some flexible hose. Can now stop the worries of water in the gas and weight her down and ride.

What do you think? Any comments on ways to improve this? I'm gonna secure the loose end of the hose inside the boat so that it can't get knocked into the water.

[DealsGapCobra]

That should work.