1999 Sport/Air Nautique Bilge Blower Plumbing

[h2oski]

I replaced my bilge blower and 3" "dryer" duct hose. When I turned the blower on and went to the transom starboard vent to feel the air flowing and to my surprise, I was not "blown" away. I removed the hose where it attaches to the PVC point in the bilge and the blower is blowing a lot of air.

Needless to say, I'm wondering if something is blocking the PVC plumbing in the hull? There is a carpeted cover on each side in rear ski locker that might simply be a "duct" to route the air up and out the transom vents. I can't remove them since it looks like I have to move/remove the ballast tanks.

-What's behind those carpeted covers in the rear ski locker?
-I suppose I could run a wire fish through the PVC plumbing starting in the bilge to see if there's anything blocking it?

TIA

-Scott

[NautiqueJeff]

If it is like a '99 Ski Nautique, the hose connects to a solid pipe in the bilge. That pipe comes out behind the back seat (in the case of a Ski Nautique, behind the gas tank), and then you run more hose from the pipe to the vent on the back of the boat. I seriously doubt there is anything blocking the pipe. It is much more likely that the hose behind the seat (possibly behind the covers you mention) is torn. I wouldn't run a snake through the pipe because you'll tear the hose at the rear.

[ally505]

tumble dryer hoses are fantastic at taking a good flow of air and turning it into nothing. The make up of the hose acts as a fantastic baffle, exactly what you don't want. Whenever I change our the blower hose I opt for a smooth internal hose and avoid sharp radius bends wherever possible.

[h2oski]

NautiqueJeff ally505 Thanks for the comments. I'll try to remove the carpeted covers in the trunk/transom and see what sorta shape the hose is in, if any. The replacement hose I have is from Amawho and is just "fancy" dryer hose. I guess it can be anything so long as it can tolerate heat, it can take a tight bend without collapsing and is 3" ID.

Thanks again....

-Scott

[SilentSeven]

On the older boats, the hose is usually toast - perforations in various places. I replaced mine on my 97 Ski with simple dryer hose. It was cheap and easy to get. If I have to replace it every 15 years...so be it!