Ventilation

Bilge Blowers & Ventilation

Bilge Fans are an integral part of your boat and help you and your passengers stay safe from harmful fumes and gases. They also help prevent explosions in your engine compartment from fumes that build up. Making sure your bilge blower is in proper working order is crucial for your safety as well as it is a requirement by the United States Coast Guard. Wholesale Marine carries an extensive line of bilge fans from brands like Attwood, Rule, Shurflo, and more.

Bilge blowers remove dangerous fuel vapors from the fuel tank area and engine compartment however, they are not designed to run continuously and therefore many are controlled by a bilge switch to make it easy to turn on and off. The electrical units of these boat blowers are ignition protected to prevent a spark from igniting the trapped fumes. They are also built to withstand overheating and corrosion.

Make Sure to Install Your Bilge Blowers Correctly

Wholesale Marine carries a selection of 3” and 4” blowers including the Rule In-Line Bilge Blower 4”. Rule In-Line blowers are designed for high output operation and provide higher airflow and low amp draw from your batteries. Another option is the Shurflo Yellowtail Blower is designed with 6 blades to ensure the highest level of performance.

Proper installation of your bilge blower is crucial in maintaining the safety of your vessel and ensuring that all dangerous fumes are removed. Most set-ups include cowl or side vents on the opposite sides of the boat one forward-facing and the other aft. The blower hose should be attached to these vents and lowered into the bilge. Boat blowers use the forward motion of the boat to help push air into the bilge, so the blower will attach to the vent facing backward to discharge the fumes away from the boat. When replacing a bilge blower or the vents make sure the airflow is in the correct direction or you will not have proper ventilation. This could lead to an unsafe situation and possibly cause a fire or explosion on board. If you are unsure about the installation of your bilge fan, consult a marine technician for guidance and make sure to run your blower for 5 minutes before starting your engine.

Wholesale Marine has everything you need to keep your vessel safe and running smoothly including bilge and boat blowers. We have the vents, hoses, and replacement parts you need. We offer a low price guarantee and same-day flat rate shipping. For even more savings ask about our Captain’s Club Rewards program. Call us at 877-388-2628 Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM EST.