What is an Open Boat?

• A. The exhaust is in the engine room
• B. The exhaust is under water
• C. The exhaust is on the outside of the boat
• D. The boat has no exhaust

Answer: (C)

An open boat is designed so the exhaust outlets vent to the outside of the boat, overboard, rather than into any enclosed space. This keeps exhaust gases away from people aboard and reduces the risk of fumes or carbon monoxide accumulating in the boat. If the exhaust were in the engine room, fumes could enter the living or seating areas; exhaust exiting underwater is not the standard setup for an open boat, and a powered boat must have an exhaust system. Therefore, venting on the outside best describes an open boat.