Vega Vent System

[chris brown]

I am in the process of putting in a 13 gallon fuel tank (I won't say where
I am putting it, as I don't want to create an uproar, but suffice it to say
it isn't in a cockpit locker or the bilge).

Anyway, when I was head down (and butt up) today working on this, I was
looking at the vent system. I understand the vent for the engine room
(though I don't think it is really necessary with the small engine and
large space). But the other vent, from the cockpit to the fiberglass
"square tube" (for lack of the better term) running through the port settee
and then exiting in the forward locker, baffles me. I know there was some
discussion in the past.

I'm not going to take it out, but I have to ask "why did they do this? I've
never seen anything like this on any of the other boats I've owned. As I
said, I am sure there is a good reason, and kind of recall someone smarter
than me giving a good explanation a few years back.

Thanks,

Chris[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

 

[Vega1447]

Vent tube theory-
As the fuel is consumed a vacuum would occur in the tank if it were not for
a vent. Spider webs and fresh coats of paint can clog vent tubes causing
engines to stop running from the vacuum developing in the fuel tanks.
As temperature changes the air in the fuel tank expands and contracts
requiring a vent.

 

[reefmagnet]

I assumed it was the fresh air supply for the heater when fitted.

 

[Vega1447]

I think Chris is asking about the "Vega vent system" that leads from an
intake forward port end of cockpit though a tube to a glassed in vent
that leads under port bunk to port hanging locker.I think it is intended to be a passive air flow system exiting through
the mast??

To be fair, I find my Vega is very dry so maybe the system works?

(I do use a mains powered dehumidifier over the winter as I have A/C
power available..

John V1447 Breakaway

 

[emmajen5]

Here is what the Vega Hand Book has to say about the venting system:



"The ventilation system has been designed with scientific

thoroughness by a former chief of the Swedish defence research,

Hugo Larsson. This is probably the only system that provides a

well ventilated and dry boat without the use of elec tric fans. On

hot summer days the temperature inside the boat will be cooler than

that outside.

The system is based on the principle of all air being let into the
accommodation

through a ventilator in the cockpit. The hatch and its ventilator must
be kept closed.

The air is taken through ducts next to the hull of the boat below the
waterline which

cools the air and causes the moisture to condense against the cool
hull. The water

runs into the bilge and the dehydrated air is fed into the cabin and
fo\'c\'s\'le. It is

important always to keep the ventilator in the cockpit open; only in
the unlikely

event of seas breaking into the cockpit should it be closed. Stale air
is evacuated

through an Electrolux ventilator which was developed first by Hugo
Larsson for his

VEGA. It is designed to suck out air as soon as there is any movement
of wind

outside regardless of direction. The ventilation exhaust system is
supplemented by

ventilation through the mast. On hot days there is a funnel action
which increases

the flow of air. The temperature inside a VEGA, lying at her mooring
on a hot day

with all the hatches closed can be 5° less than that of the air
outside. Without this

system the boat would be like an oven."



Garry V2427