Doghouse and venting question

[Fishermark]

I?m working on a project boat and I have a question about the ?doghouse? and stern area. This is a 18? Sportcraft with a Mercruiser I/O. I am building the doghouse need to know what the regulations are about closing in the sides - beside the back of the doghouse. Here?s what the boat looks like:

Here?s the doghouse:

My question is this - can I leave both sides open to the air if I want? Can I close it in if I want? I want it to be safe - I know the area needs to be vented - and there are vents on each side of the boat, along with a bilge blower. I just don?t know how closing in the side will affect the venting - good or bad. Thoughts?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Doghouse and venting question

I'll try a bump - does anyone know the answer?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Doghouse and venting question

If its vented as you said, then you can leave it as open, or close it up as tight as you want.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Doghouse and venting question

Thanks for the info!

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: Doghouse and venting question

We have somewhat the same set up with that engine, put a blower on one side with an air vent facing the stern for exhaust and attache the blower to that, then on the other side put a vent facing the bow. I can take pics of ours if you want ours has seats on either side of the engine cover so its not too open to the air.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Doghouse and venting question

Thanks - I do have a blower with the forward and aft facing vents. I just wanted to make sure the "openess" did not negatively affect the air flow. I didn't think it would, just checking all the bases.