Planning the installation of a 12 volt bilge blower in our 26 foot
Westerly. The boat has a single cylinder diesel; also a propane cooker
that is always turned off at the bottle in the lazarette when not in
use.

The blower is an electric fan constructed in a plastic tube"rule: In-
line Model 140 3 inch", the whole thing being about the size of a
small coffee can connected at inlet and outlet by 3 inch plastic hoses
(similar to those now not recommended plastic/coiled spring hoses for
a domestic clothes dryer. Ours home located dryer now replaced by a
flex-aluminum hose to better comply with house insurance requirements)

What would be suitable location for the 3 inch diam. outlet?

If placed in the transom a following wave could slop water through the
connecting hose, despite any loops, through the blower and down into
the bilge?

If placed inside the cockpit any foul or fuel contaminated air
exhausted from the bilge might linger in the fairly large/deep cockpit
or even blow/suck back through the hatch into the cabin or the engine
compartment below cockpit and hatch step! There are already a cpuple
of closeable ventilators in the cockpit for the engine compartment and
for the lazarette.

But in cockpit it would less likely to get seawater into it and be
more accessible to cover off. See next para.

Thinking of using a 3" port that can also be blocked off by a screw in
plate. The cover plate to be stored nearby (lazarette?) possibly
secured by a cord or lanyard?.

It may be possible to locate port high up facing outward, but not
stern-wards in the lazarette on the port side? That could mean leaning
over (in a sea) trying to screw in the port cover 'backwards' towards
one self!

Or is there some sort of deck mounted 'port' or ventilator that would
not take too much space perhaps with a flap valve that would prevent
any significant amount of water getting back through it if we bury our
rail or get hit by a large one?

Certainly want to think this one out before cutting a 3 inch hole that
will be open some/much of the time, somewhere in the boat!

Advice appreciated. Thanks. Terry