Cabin Ventilation?

Mike Raehl · Post by **Mike Raehl** » Mar 1st, '06, 23:53

Need suggestions on how to improve air circulation through the cabin while the boat is unattended at the dock. A C&C 30 two slips down from us has a Nicro solar powered fan / vent mounted through the forward cabin hatch. My wife likes this idea but I am cautious about cutting a four inch hole in the lexan, and the forward cabin may not be the best location for a vent.

Has anyone installed a solar vent through their hatch? Alternate locations on a CD27? Any better ideas?

barfwinkle · Post by **barfwinkle** » Mar 2nd, '06, 07:42

Yee Haw Mike

Congratulations on your retirement.

I have the same dilemma on my boat. I have a 4" solar powered vent requiring a 4" hole. It will not fit on my hatch without the outer ring of the vent over hanging the edge of the hatch. My hatch has a metal cross bar bi-secting the lexan, otherwise I'd put the vent in the hatch.

I have not be able to bring my self to cut that hole either. but perhaps one day I will. Good luck.

Fair Winds

bhartley · Post by **bhartley** » Mar 2nd, '06, 08:54

My father gave me a stainless Nicro solar vent for Christmas along with a 4" hole saw. Just looking at the saw gives me the willies! I'm not sure I can bring myself to cut the hole either. The vent is sorely needed on our SS23.

Granted when I was let loose with a 1 1/2" hole saw on the deck of our Ty, I had a field day exploring the rotten core. She looked like swiss cheese -- until I used a panel saw to join all of the holes.

Congratulations on having time for guilt-free sailing and boat puttering.

Bly

mahalocd36 · Post by **mahalocd36** » Mar 2nd, '06, 11:04

Mike Raehl wrote:
Has anyone installed a solar vent through their hatch?

On our previous boat, an S2 23', we did exactly that, cut a hole through the hatch in the V-berth. It worked wonders and never leaked. It made a huge difference in the air quality in the boat.

Luckily Mahalo has dorade vents which seem to do the job so we haven't been tempted to drill through her hatches.

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Mar 2nd, '06, 11:25

Hi Mike,

Mike Raehl wrote:...Has anyone installed a solar vent through their hatch? Alternate locations on a CD27? Any better ideas?

I don't have a CD27 but I installed a Nicro PowerVent 3000 through the deck of our CD32 last Spring. It is strictly solar powered and doesn't require you to do any wiring. See the photos below.

<a href="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... .jpg"><img width="540" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... 2.jpg"></a>

<a href="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... .jpg"><img width="540" src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/ ... 1.jpg"></a>

I believe the 3000 requires a 4 3/4" hole (purchased the holesaw just for that job), and yes, it is very scarey to make such a big hole in the deck but it was definitely worth it. It ran 24 hours a day non-stop all summer.

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Bob Condon · Post by **Bob Condon** » Mar 2nd, '06, 13:31

My 28' Intrepid came with a solar vent in the front hatch.

It works wonders to keep the boat well ventilated and highly
recommended.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Mar 2nd, '06, 15:12

I haven't installed one on my 25D, but on my previous boat, a Marshall Sanderling, I mounted a Nicro solar-powered day-night vent in the foredeck.

My mildew and smell problems (pardon the pun) evaporated.

It took me a whole season before I got up the courage to make those cuts, but it worked well.

--Joe

Len · Post by **Len** » Mar 2nd, '06, 15:58

Instead of using solar vents I use screen hatch boards. I have left these on all year( winter and summer) and they ventilate very well. My previous boat (not a cd) went 14 years with that set up without any mold/mildwew. Mine are two piece with medium heavy wire and replace the three piece varnished boards (which I hate to use and scratch).

I recall a while back one of the group's members offered for sale port screens- maybe he (she) could expand their offerings to include companionway screens for various size cds.

rtbates · Post by **rtbates** » Mar 2nd, '06, 17:04

The solar vents discussed are the exhaust portion of ventilation. You'll also need an outside air intake.
On Seraph we have the NICRO solar vent for exhaust and a small louvered opening (5x8) in the lower drop board for intake.
A piece of wood or plastic is used to seal off the intake when not needed or desired.

Len · Post by **Len** » Mar 2nd, '06, 17:46

Obviously, the air enters via the screens and exits through dorades, mushrooms or whatever ventilators your boat has, propelled by the forces of nature throughout your boat at a rate in proportion to the exterior wind speed and the size of the various boat openings.

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Mar 2nd, '06, 20:05

Randy is right, of course. I forgot to say that my Marshall had louvred companionway doors through which the air entered the cabin.

I'd think a small louvre could be inserted in a hatchboard in a CD, or a screened section.

--Joe

Steve Laume · Post by **Steve Laume** » Mar 3rd, '06, 07:16

I have considered a passive vent over the galley and an active up forward some where. I hate to use the hatch and reduce the light in the forward area but that seems to be the most common approach. What I really want to know is just how waterproof these things are? The foredeck hatch area sees a lot of sea water. Do you need to close your vents or are they okay with spray or the possibility of seeing some green water? It would kind of defeat the purpose if they were venting nicely and then drenched the vee berth cushions while out on a spirited sail. The vee birth area of my boat is the only area that seems to have problems with moisture build up. It is a dead space for air flow, Steve.

Domenic · Post by **Domenic** » Mar 3rd, '06, 08:11

I am thinking of buying Port Rain Shields for my 27. To improve air circulation when my boat is unattended at dock.Has anyone out there used them, or is it a waste of time? Thanks

Tom Keevil · Post by **Tom Keevil** » Mar 3rd, '06, 11:29

When we bought our boat, the dorade vents had been replaced with solar vents. This leaves the hatches untouched, and also produces less clutter for working around the mast. When the sun is out they work fine, but sun is not the most common occurrence on the Oregon coast. People get all squinty-eyed and confused when it appears. We run a dehumidifier in our boat when we are away, and it works great to combat mold. In fact, one of the best ideas we've had.

Paul Kamins · Post by **Paul Kamins** » Mar 4th, '06, 12:37

I designed the port rain shields, installed two last spring. One on the port front port, the second on the starboard second aft port. I left the ports open all summer. Definite improvement in ventilation. I did not have any water come into the boat while on the morring. I did close the ports while sailing in heavy winds so waves wouldn't wash over the deck into the open port. I can recommend them, but then I have an obvious bias. Mike, owner of Lavida is the only other person that has purchased a pair. He has yet to install them. If you have any specific questions just ask. Paul.

The Cape Dory Board

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