Anybody know how to remove the side vent on 2008 SANTE 210

[swatguy]

My vest has some stress cracks in the gelcoat in the blower vent. Really awkward spots to work on. Is the blower vent simple to remove, It's on the passenger side so the Perko And the main fuse panel is right there too.

[Evening Shade]

Swat,

My 2011 210 has some stress cracks in the port vent as well, but I've never tried to remove it especially after I saw the $400 price tag on Nautique Parts!

[Miljack]

swatguy there are 7 "bolts" glassed into the vent (1/4" x 20) that you can feel by reaching around behind the vent. There's a plastic "cup" which covers the vent on the inside. It's hard to describe, but once you get in the storage locker with some lights and feeling around, you'll see/find them. It's a PITA to remove the vents from the deck cap as they are held/sealed with a marine sealant. I used a razor knife to remove the sealant.
I removed and replaced the vents in my 230 which has a bigger locker/access than the 210. I've crawled around in a 220 locker which should be about the same as the 210 locker, it's tight, but you can get in there...

[Paxdad]

At one point I recall that Nautique was covering the vent replacement under warranty. The replacement vents are now made from some type of thermoplastic material instead of the original vents that were fiberglass. I still have the cracked fiberglass vents that like yours show some cracking.

[swatguy]

hmmmmmm. All interesting stuff. This may explain something. I just had the vent repaired like you would repair any gelcoat stress crack (while attached to boat). The gelcoat was about thickness of a credit card on it. Looked flawless. Boat sat on the lift for a week and they cracks reappeared. In less than a week. The oddest thing ever.

We were originally thinking w bad gelcoat mix from spectrum or a bad reaction between the gel and surface. Mine are on the top portion of the vent. Right now I shoulda just bought the new vent because the cost of the repair is halfway there. You guys with the cracks are you all running piggy back's? Is it mainly you passenger side vent? Wondering if maybe the pressure from the bags is flexing that vent because of the main control module back there.

[migs]

Ive got cracks on both sides Swat.

[swatguy]

Was able to get some info regarding the vents direct from Nautique. As mentioned the materials were changed over the years. It wasn't an "official " warranty/recall for the boat vents, but if you had issues at the time they replaced them with the newer style materials for free. Much like the single piece observers bench prone to splitting seams ( replaced i piece observers bench seat with 2 piece seat and vinyl only if yours split at the time ) and also the zero off gps "performance upgrade" (replaced if you had surging issues at the time). All were common issues, but not on a "warranty bulletin" common place to every boat. This is more of informational rant so to speak as these items are apparent issues, but not actual mandated replacement through a "warranty procedures" for every single boat.


I did order a new skin for my observers bench and the new skin no longer has the piping on the seam, as well as the GPS upgrade. Maybe that will help the longevity of the skin as opposed to the original factory skin with the piping right at the seam were the backrest transitions to the seat base.

All in all my experience with Nautique corporate was exceptional. They could have just given me the cold shoulder as a regular consumer and told me to go to my dealer, but they took the time out of their day and treated me just like I bought one of their new flagships. Truly an exceptional experience.

[Evening Shade]

I assume my vents are the newer plastic because they certainly aren't fiberglass. My port side vent has a few cracks so even if you pony up for new vents they may eventually crack as well.

[swatguy]

i assume my vents are the newer plastic because they certainly aren't fiberglass. My port side vent has a few cracks so even if you pony up for new vents they may eventually crack as well.

doh

[Miljack]

I had my vents replaced under warranty and the new parts provided were the newer "plastic" versions. I haven't had any cracks on the replacement units (both sides replaced). I run 900# Sumo sacks and no issues thus far...
I think they started with the new vents around 2011 model year, if somebody's boat is an '11 model, it's possible they still have the fiberglass units depending on the production date of the boat.
You can tell if the vents are "plastic" or fiberglass by feel, the "plastic" ones will move like a car bumper or body cladding...

[hondaprlud]

Miljack, when did they replace them? I have cracks on mine, both sides. I thought it was damage from PO, I just bought it in June 15. I saw the price of replacement and decided $$ was better spent elsewhere for now.

[Miljack]

hondaprlud, when I purchased my boat in '12 it still had warranty left from the original owner. I installed them because I wanted to do a little custom work on them...

[billywro]

Echoing the "PITA to remove" comment from below. Removed my starboard vent on my 2008 SANTE 220 this weekend. The access hole is small and there was no way to get at all the nuts (nylock) with a ratchet & socket.

I was finally able to get all the nuts off with a make-shift low-profile nut driver. I used a deep 7/16" socket with a 1/2" strip of duct tape wrapped around the base until it was about 2" in diameter. Luckily all the hardware is stainless, so it didn't require much torque to undo. Hope this hack helps a fellow member someday.