I noticed when I was taking my H14 apart for the winter that there is a small open pipe going through the foam plug in the forward pylon on both hulls. It looks like a vent pipe.. Is it?
If it is a vent pipe then why do you have to loosen the hull drains to equalize the pressure in the hulls after you're finished for the day?
I believe it is a vent tube, though I am not %100 certain on the H14 - I have an H16. Also, opening the drain plugs is necessary to drain water - not for pressure equalization. If you are hearing the swoosh of air when opening your drains, I suspect those vent tubes have become clogged.
Dave
It is a vent, but they do have a tendency to get clogged. It's usually not necessary to clear them if you leave the plugs out when the boat's not the water.
My '98 H-16 has held air pressure since the day I bought it new. I never leave the plugs in unless I'm sailing it. The Tiger doesn't have vents, but it does have a warning sticker on the transom saying that you need to remove the plugs when it's not in the water to prevent pressure build-up.
Yes, it is a vent; and if you are looking at it, you might as well clean it. Get a thin single strand wire, and run it in-and-out of the vent til you think its clean.-Its probably OK, but if you assemble the boat and THEN find it needs to be cleaned out...well...I'll let you be your own best critic.