Engine Compartment Ventilation Cowls

[offshorespars]

I have a 17' Deluxe Runabout, 1947. The four chrome plated deck mounted cowls that provide ventilation to the engine compartment had the inside surfaces painted red. Also the inside of the flag staff fitting was painted red. Last winter I had these parts re-chromed and am now wondering if the red paint was standard from the factory or was it done by a previous owner? Thanks.
Mike

[maritimeclassics]

Yes and no...how's that? I have restored a 1948 20' Custom that they were originally red inside and a 1948 17' Deluxe that had the red inside. But in the later years you don't see it any more. The 1950 17' Deluxe, 1950 16' Riviera, 1954 20' Riviera and the 1955 18' Cobra that I have restored did not. So I was never able to really get a time that they started or stop painting the red under the vents because it was so random. Someone told be once that they thought the factory used a different supplier for the scoops and that is why we see the red sometimes. Your boat falls into the earlier years so I would paint them red again.

[iamallthumbs]

Mike, neither of my two 1947 Deluxe Runabouts have painted cowls. As far as I know the cowls are original. I have seen others with the red insides and have considered painting mine, so I am interested in other's comments.

[Kerry Price]

The air vents on my 1946 20' Custom were not painted red (or any other color) on the inside.

[offshorespars]

Gentlemen:

Thank you for the replies. I think I will go with red. In my opinion it looks better.

Mike

[maritimeclassics]

That's why I said yes and no, I wish there was more consistence of it but I have seen them both ways. It is definitely not on every boat this way.