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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Solar vent fan

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HudsonM1
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/26/2006 : 08:29:48

I'd like to install a solar-powered vent fan in my forward hatch, but I don't recall ever seeing a C-25 with one installed there? Is there a problem with putting one in that spot? Seems like a logical place, but I thought I'd ask to see if folks were avoiding putting one there for some reason.

Thanks!

Hudson
'81 SK/SR #2531

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2006 : 10:41:32

A lot of people do that. I simply feel there is no room on a Catalina 25 deck for one period. I went passive and put it in a unique place. I was very happy with it. The anchor locker is anything but air tight and seemed to handle the airflow with no problem. I was sure to use a SS hood.

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HudsonM1
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2006 : 18:52:12

Good idea. Thanks Frank.
Hudson

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Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2006 : 08:20:15

Frank, your's isn't solar is it? I like the idea of it hidden in the anchor locker, but how is it powered/controlled?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2006 : 08:56:30

"passive" means that it is not driven. The unit I installed is designed to work based on the bernoulli effect, the wind passing across the top creates a low pressure area and the unit draws like a chiminey. IOn my anchor locker that is not going to happen. I rely on the simple fact that heat rises and between the cribboard vents and the general lack of hermetic integrity that a flow will ensue. It did a good job for me.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2006 : 10:56:56

Hudson,

This doesn't help you much but...when I bought my '89 Catalina, the PO had a vent cover in the main cabin. I took dimensions of the opening and noticed it was a Nicro Vent Cover. Nicro is also one of the main makers of solar vents and so I picked up a Nicro Solar vent from Boat US/West Marine, popped out the vent cover with a screwdriver and pushed the solar vent right onto the housing on the cabin. It was a perfect fit.

Only issue is that when I use my winter cover, i have to pull the rechargeable battery out of the vent since it will not see daylight. But since this winter has been so warm and besides, it is first winter for me, that I have removed the cover for long periods and have been sailing. The battery is still at home but the fan works during the daylight hours and shuts off when the sun drops down.

Anyway, agree that if no existing vent holes, then the VBerth area would probably be best location for a vent. My solar vent/solar panel section of my website shows a photo of the solar vent.

By the way, don't expect this fan to move gangbusters of air - It at least does not appear to do that. But I guess the idea is for it to circulate some air and that is what helps prevent mildew, etc. You will not get any real cooling from it, my thought is that it probably works slightly better than Frank's passive fan movement. if you are looking for real cooling, you would need a more powerful fan driven by the 12 volt battery bank. Anyway - just my opinion.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2006 : 13:30:13

Hudson,

My Nicro solar vent fan is abeam of the head supposedly to combat the gasses generating there

Val on the hard DAGNABIT # 3936 Patchogue,N.Y.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2006 : 18:30:48

Val,

If the association ever puts together a Cat 25 weekender menu book, please be sure to add some of your favorite dishes and with a caution - Only serve if vent fan is in working condition. LOL

Edited by - on

HudsonM1
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2006 : 21:44:44

Thanks all.

I'm just looking for the fan to keep some air moving to cut back on the mildew, not for cooling. I like the placement of Larry's fan better than in the hatch, I cringe every time I think of putting a hole in the deck. A soft cabin top was just repaired two years ago by the PO. Although the teenage members of my crew will be mad for interfering with their favorite sunbathing spot, I'm leaning toward the hatch-mount.

Hudson

Edited by - on

cat30
1st Mate

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73 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2006 : 07:45:32

I put a 4" day/night fan in the forward hatch- had no problems with it, never leaked, almost never caught a jib sheet while tacking. it even worked in the winter with a blue tarp over the boat. moved enough air to keep the air "fresh" inside during the summer.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2006 : 13:20:48

I was curious about a product I saw in the Boater's World catalog - maybe someone has experience with it. In the section for ventilation/mildew control, they have those small units that are either passive or dc volt controlled to remove mildew but they have one that is passive but when the indicator indicates it is moisture laden, you then bring it home and plug it into your ac outlet to replenish it. It's coverage area is about the same as the passive units that you have to throw away and replace but this one which sells for about $20-$30 requires no on boat power , acts passive but since it can be re-used after bringing it home seems of interest to me. The PO had one of those passive units in the boat and I have no mildew issues at all but thought maybe the above unit would be a good replacement. Any thoughts ?

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2006 : 23:40:30

I like the hatch idea better than cutting very large holes in the cabintop. In the worst case, you can replace the hatch. This winter I left my forward hatch open a little less than an inch--no snow or rain appears to have entered so far--in some big storms--and the interior is drier than it's ever been through a winter. I might continue the practice next summer (when in the slip).

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Alan Clark
Captain

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406 Posts

Response Posted - 03/02/2006 : 14:41:16

Hudson, Last year we installed the Nicro Day/night Solar Vent on top of the coach roof by the Mast light/VHF plugs~over the head. I too was VERY concerned about putting "HOLES" in the boat but it worked out well, you cannot hear it and it does keep the inside cooler. I chose not to put it on the forward hatch due to not only lines possibly catching on it but hatch opening, boat washing (It does not leak), quiet, and not steeping on it, We got the stainlees steel one, it was worth the extra bucks.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2006 : 18:30:51

For years, I've tossed and turned over the solar vent/location issue, waffling between having one next to the mast on the cabin top or in the forward hatch. Each location has its pros and cons; if its by the mast, I'll probably step on it, if its on the hatch, it takes away a great seatback on deck,...etc. Either location requires drilling holes and, like going to the dentist, it is something that causes me great anxiety.

Although I haven’t finalized the plan yet, I think I’ve come up with a solution that will not only rid my boat of 100 degree interior air temps, but will also allow me to avoid punching a hole up on deck. The plan involves using one or more 4” cooling fans (110V) to exhaust the bilge compartment air out through the stern vents. With the bilge negatively pressurized, air will be drawn in through the hatchboard vent forward to the door under the V berth then back through the bilges and finally out through the stern vents. Not only will this keep the interior cooler, it will also ventilate both the main cabin and the bilge compartment. This should also minimize stale odors in the bilge compartments.

Hopefully, I will have this system installed in the Spring.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/03/2006 : 21:16:19

Don, that may qualify as the worlds largest Dorade box. Cool idea.

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dbehling
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2006 : 02:43:37

What about a solar vent, in the bottom hatch board. Our boat has 3 hatch boards either use the bottom one, or make new hatch boards the size of the bottom two using then put a solar vent in the middle. We have been toying around with this idea instead of drilling holes in the boat. Wood fixes easier than fiberglass, at least for us. Any ideas on this?

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2006 : 07:55:07

I have a friend with a Capri 22, it has Starboard hatch boards. He put a Beckson white plastic passive vent in one of the hatch boards and is very happy with it.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2006 : 09:39:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dbehling
 What about a solar vent, in the bottom hatch board. Our boat has 3 hatch boards either use the bottom one, or make new hatch boards the size of the bottom two using then put a solar vent in the middle. We have been toying around with this idea instead of drilling holes in the boat. Wood fixes easier than fiberglass, at least for us. Any ideas on this?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Debbie,

If your boat has the vent slats in the top hatchboard, then placing a solar vent in the bottom one will not get you much air circulation.

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HudsonM1
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2006 : 22:33:47

I thought about the hatch board location but didn't think it would be as efficient. If the fan is forward (hatch, forward deck, etc.) the vents in the boards are the "intake" and air gets pulled through the boat. If the fan is in the boards, there's no intake in the bow, right?

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dbehling
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2006 : 00:05:47

Our top board does have the slats in it. But, I was thinking of the solar fan as being more of a pull on the air with the fan. I really hate to creat another hole in the boat, the other option is like Frank did and put it in the anchor locker, but then it would have to be hooked up to the battery. I was hoping to use the solar.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2006 : 06:02:25

The Nicro solar vent comes with two sets of plastic blades. That is for venting out or venting in. Believe the instructions indicate you generally install the blades for venting out but to improve venting, they recommend one fan for venting out and getting another one for venting in. I right now have no plans for installin a second solar vent.

My thought is that for a solar vent in the companionway boards, you really need to consider your boat's orientation at the slip. The solar vent is supposed to recharge the battery. The battery runs it all night long and during days when the sun is not out. It is possible that installing it in those baords the solar vent will not get sufficient sun at the right angle or even at low angles when sun is coming up, there may be some obstruction on the dock that blocks out the sun.

With my installation on the cabin top or even the other suggestion in the forward hatch, the sun may get blocked as well. But at least the sun at mid-day and if you have the slip orientation okay, the solar vent should run sufficiently long enough to recharge the battery from those locations.

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Gambit
Navigator

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USA
160 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2006 : 16:10:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by HudsonM1
 I'd like to install a solar-powered vent fan in my forward hatch, but I don't recall ever seeing a C-25 with one installed there? Is there a problem with putting one in that spot?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I mounted a Nicro day/night fan there last fall and it worked fine. We did have a long run of cloudy days late in the year and it stopped for a bit. My kids complained a bit because that is a nice place to lay out in the sun. Worst case, I can pull it for the day and put the cover in its place. I have it blowing out with the intact coming through the hatch board slots. Being on a mooring, the boat is always head to wind which applies positive pressure to the hatch boards as the wind rolls over the cabin.

Be sure to measure two or three times, cut once. Follow the instuctions on the fan and get the right sized bore bit.

Looking forward to pulling the cover off soon but winter has finally arrived so we will have to stand by for now. At least the skiing is good.

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