Ok, first off what is the purpose of the sea chest air vent.Second, will it adversely impact the operations if the valve is removed and fitted with a blank flange to cap it off? Any help is appreciated.
I think that as much as a 44 will roll around you can get air trapped in the sea check which can lead to an overheat due to loss a saltwater to the engines.. I had a similar problems with the 87 the gen would shut dowm in heavy seas due to loss of salt water pressure luckly the 87 is smarter than this old MK and would shut down before anything got hurt
The vent is there to do as it sounds, vent the sea chest of all trapped air. Without it you risk the possibility of choking off your raw water pump with air. The 44 as you know is a motor life boat, it wasn't uncommon for the sea chest to get air pushed into it while operating the boat. Every ship/boat that I've sailed on has them. I would not cap it off. Your only setting yourself up for engine/pump failure.
Originally posted by PBMKC: I think that as much as a 44 will roll around you can get air trapped in the sea check which can lead to an overheat due to loss a saltwater to the engines.. I had a similar problems with the 87 the gen would shut dowm in heavy seas due to loss of salt water pressure luckly the 87 is smarter than this old MK and would shut down before anything got hurt
As far as old ideas of machinery goes, it is there for a vent not just for the engines but the fire pump. However on a 47 there is no vent, and it has the same Jabsco pump, self priming. If you have an issue with it. You could test on shutting it before you remove it to check. Good luck.
From what i was told the valve was for when running in ice or slush. If the sea chest became clogged you could shut the valve off and add air pressure to the sea chest via the air horn tank and blow the slush/ice out of the sea chest.
