How to attach dorade vent?

[grluecke]

There must be a secret someone knows, and if there is a past thread I should look at, point me to it.

We have the our forward dorade held captive using our winch handle shown in the photo, and that works ok much of the time. It still gets knocked off, but has not fallen overboard, at least not yet!

The two on the stern get knocked out all the time with all the scurrying about, setting the mizz'n staysl, making fast the dinghy...I can't tell you how many times I have looked down to see one of those rolling around, getting ready to plop down to Davy Jones' Locker!

Anyone have a great idea to captivate these things? I was thinking a brass ring at the mouth with a chain down the throat attached underneath. That would allow them to still be rotated. Ideas??

Dorade.jpg

[Jim Walsh]

Sure looks like the deck plate/trim ring is mounted upside down. If you remove the cowl vent the deck plate should be flush with the dorade box. It may just be the resolution of the photograph that makes it appear that way.
My cowl vents have never popped off.
Here's an old picture of one of my cowl vents mounted on a dorade box.

[sgbernd]

I have the same problem. Currently, I remove the funnel and insert the replacement plug when underway as the last funnel went for a swim. The stern funnels get kicked while anchoring and sometimes come off as well. I'm interested to hear of other solutions, other than buying a spare.

[Jim Walsh]

I have the same problem. Currently, I remove the funnel and insert the replacement plug when underway as the last funnel went for a swim. The stern funnels get kicked while anchoring and sometimes come off as well. I'm interested to hear of other solutions, other than buying a spare.

Might be time for a low profile cowl. I suspect you may have aftermarket replacement cowls that don't precisely fit the original deck plate. A low profile cowl installed with a new matching deck plate might be the most economical fix. A cowl vent guard would solve your problem but can be rather pricey unless you fabricate your own.

[Paul D.]

Another approach would be to secure the cowl vent to the mount. First I would try hairspray on the inside of the cowl vent and making fast on the mount. If that wasn't secure enough, affixing a #8 by 1/2 screw through the bottom of the vent might do. Pre drill first.

You would lose the ability to turn your vents though. And a big wrenching blow from the genoa sheet might still rip it off.

I've lost two, first into 400 feet of Lake Superior, the second I recovered at the mooring in about 20 feet. I could see the thing on the bottom, taunting me. I borrowed two boat hooks and duct taped them together with mine and fished it out to great celebration afterwards. Never again I swore.

Since I have a wood stove charlie noble right aft of the port dorade vent, I keep that one removable and pull it off when having a fire. The starboard one pretty much has stayed where it is though. Being really aware of the jib sheets while tacking is the best way I've found to keep the things in place.

[winthrop fisher]

Jim is right,

if they are dirty clean both ends, them push them together,

i have found that happens to alot of people.

or just put a solor one in its place,

thats what i have all was done.
Winthrop

[Keith]

I'm pretty sure Jim is correct, you simply have the mounting plate upside down. Pull out the dorade take out the screws flip them over and drew them back in. They will never fall out again.

Enjoy!

[grluecke]

I guess by the replies my PO had already stumbled on the best solution--put the forward winch handle in the vent cowl! We've had several occasions where someone or something knocked off the vent, but with that handle in it does not go bouncing overboard.

Now I just have to see what to do with my aft vent cowls...

Hair spray? On backwards? Puleeze....gosh, that thing is dirty, I need to go look up that thread on how make 'em sparkle!

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20150520_151733.jpg

[grluecke]

Hmmm, it does not look like my attached pictures came through correctly.

Here are some pix of my vent:

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20150520_151733.jpg

20150520_151723.jpg

[tjr818]

Now I just have to see what to do with my aft vent cowls...

Hair spray? On backwards? Puleeze....gosh, that thing is dirty, I need to go look up that thread on how make 'em sparkle!

Our vents looked pretty much the same as yours, even though they had been painted. Beware of the Lacquer Thinner idea, although it cleans very well, when the PVC has deteriorated that far it is not as robust as it used to be. The surface of ours became all mottled and eaten up by using lacquer thinner.
A quart each of lacquer thinner, white spray paint for plastic, an red spray paint for plastic cost almost $20.00; two new Nicro vents cost $88.00. I have some unused spray paint if anyone is interested

[Steve Laume]

I think you have two things going wrong with your vent. First off as, previously mentioned, the mounting flange appears to be in upside down. It should be flush with the dorade when the cowl is removed. The second problem is that the cowl has come lose from the insert. Pull the insert out of the deck flange and clean it up real good then add some caulk and push the cowl onto it. You are pulling the cowl off of the insert piece when it is the entire assembly that you should be removing. It has probably gotten a bit sloppy from falling off all the time. Once you caulk it onto the insert piece it should no longer be a problem. Those things fit tight in the deck flange and the problem is usually getting them out not having it fall off.

Definitely pull the flange and take a look at that as well. If the bottom is flush then it is mounted upside down. When you have everything apart it would be a great time to paint it. I have been using Rustolium for years, with very good results. I have the rear vents off right now and have freshly painted them. If you think they are going to get banged around or stepped on then one of the spray paints for plastics might even be a better choice. The Rustolium seems to work out very well for me, Steve.

[winthrop fisher]

i would take it off and take boat soap and water to it and clean it good and turn it over and screw it back down,
and thats it.....