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Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 1st, 2019, 7:58 pm
by Xavierhn
Hello everyone. I just bought a 2004 36 sport sedan and I absolutely love it. On my 4 hours cruise to my home marina I did realized the carbon monoxide alarms went crazy down in the salon or cabin in general. No body was down there. I was cruising at 20-22 mph not wide open. I had my blowers on at all times and the fwd head vent on. I did not closed the center vent about the dining area as it was advised not to. What did I do wrong or what did I missed. Please shed some lights.

Thank you

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 1st, 2019, 8:25 pm
by Midnightsun
Turn off head vent as you are sucking in air from the open door which is not helping. Open hatch in bow to create a draft from bow to stern assuming salon door is open or slightly open. This should alleviate the issue.

That being said, all boats have what is known as a station wagon affect and once you get to know your boat it is easily taken care of. Just shows the importance of having good/effecive up to date CO detectors on board. Stay safe. ;-)

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 1st, 2019, 9:04 pm
by Xavierhn
Opening the bow hatch is not an option at the time and really ideal at all thus the splash is pretty bad with this boat. I’ll turn off the head vent and See if that helps. Oh I forgot to mention the alarms did stopped after a few min (like 15). But I would prefer it not to be on at all.

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 1st, 2019, 10:02 pm
by bud37
Welcome to the forum......try to think positive pressure in the cabin with fresh air from the bow/side area. Get yourself a couple of those CO monitors that have the digital displays to supplement the factory ones, then you can read real time ppm, it will give you a better idea of how you do while opening ports etc, than the time averaging ones that come with these boats.

There may even be some tips in the manual specific to your model/configuration.

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 1st, 2019, 10:19 pm
by Xavierhn
I was wondering if anyone with the same specs as me having this same problems. I’ll run some test once I’m in a similar situation. Will get those monitoring device

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 2nd, 2019, 5:21 am
by Midnightsun
Good time to check out your detectors age! CO detectors have a lifespan, most are 5 years some are 7 and the odd one 10. The newer "marine" ones start beeping to signal end of life so you do not forget to change them. The older ones just did nothing. Kinda important on a gas boat. Most of our boats here are 10-30 years old so well over due for a swap if not already done.

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 2nd, 2019, 12:41 pm
by mjk1040
Did you have the aft doors open with just the screens? Exhaust fumes getting into the cabin some how.The other thing that will make them go off is low voltage! Batteries and charging system all up to par?

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 2nd, 2019, 1:46 pm
by Xavierhn
mjk1040 wrote:Source of the post Did you have the aft doors open with just the screens? Exhaust fumes getting into the cabin some how.The other thing that will make them go off is low voltage! Batteries and charging system all up to par?


I did have the salon door opened at the time. Should it stay opened or closed? I was able to smell the fume in the bridge. Co was on then off but I’m pretty sure it’s doing it’s job.

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 2nd, 2019, 6:56 pm
by tomschauer
With the salon door open you will get the station wagon effect and draw exhaust into the boat. Keep it closed and problem will go away.

Re: Carbon monoxide when underway

Posted: June 3rd, 2019, 4:26 am
by Xavierhn
:banghead: thank you.