Venture 17 Fuel Stowage

[ricklee_v17]

At the risk of asking a newbie question, I wanted to inquire about OB motor fuel storage. My boat has the motor mount on the port side of the transom.

In the side of the cockpit, near the stern, under the port side seating is a 4 inch deckplate. Located about the length of a 5 gallon fuel tank forward of the deck plate on the gunwale are two 1/2-3/4 inch holes set about 18 inches apart with small cowlings covering them. This rig certainly appears to be ventilation for a fuel tank and the deck plate appears to be there to reach in and grab a fuel line through if the fuel tank was stored at the aft end of the port quarter berth. I was hoping someone could provide me with some additional insight into this. I would very much like to get the fuel tank out of the cockpit but obviously not at the cost of blowing up the boat.

Thanks,

Rick

[Catigale]

IF the tank is below deck, where vapours would fall in to the bilge, you have to get rid of it. IF its in a locker, where the fumes can not reach below deck, you are ok. Does that make sense??