Bilge blower installation?

Ive got a question concerning the lack of a bilge blower in my 64 American skier. Im a little concerned about not having adequate engine ventilation.
Obviuosly, the boat is over 40 yrs old and hasnt had any problems to date, but should one be put in it? If so, what is the best way to pull air from the front deck?

Any thoughts?

I agree with what David says. Another option is to mount the blower directly under the rear vent, vertically, and run a flex hose from the blower into the bilge area. The blower sucks air from the bilge and exhausts out the top rear vent. This is the way my '68 is setup. The hose in the bilge area lays directly on the bilge floor with the end at about the same distance from the transom as the prop shaft bearing strut. It is tie-wrapped with one tie-wrap, to the port-side stringer to keep it from flopping around. When the bilge has water in it the water flows in and out of the hose but this does not hurt anything. The hose is approx. (eyeball measurement) 3" in diameter. I guess if the water covered the entire hose you would have a bigger problem than bilge venting.

In my '68 there is another flex hose running from the vent on the bow to the bilge area in the front of the boat. There is no blower on that hose. I think, theoretically, when my blower is turned on air enters the bilge area from the front vent and from the engine box vent. This system seems to work well.

It is very important to add a line fuse to the blower like David said.

Steve, you may want to consider not cutting a hole in your bow. IT seems to me that if you lay a flex vent hose under the floor in the bilge area in the front of the boat and run the hose up under the bow where the opening of the hose is fixed to the underside of the bow, air will be ducted in from the "floorboard" (can you use that term with regards to boats?) area. Get other opinions though - I am new to boating and I keep getting surprised by how much I don't know.

I would be reluctant to cut any holes in the boat. In fact, if I had a boat that was built before the time of forced air ventilation, I would probably be happy to just open the motor box for about 5 minutes before I cranked her up and take pride in the antiquity and simplicity. That's my vote. When friends and riders ask: "What are we doing?" just reply, "We're venting." Make 'em wait 5 minutes. All the more they'll appreciate the engine starting up.

As far as the pics, I would always like to see pics of vintage boats but in this case I think you have me confused with another "Jim". I think.

My '66 has 2 chrome vent/scoops on the rear deck, above fuel tank, one faces froward, the other faces rear, the rear one has the blower hose with air pulled out of motor compartment when blower on, the forward facing one "forces" air in while under way. I used 3" dryer vent hose. With these older boats, carbs and ingitions, I would for sure install a blower!