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cabin ventilation with solar vent

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tod
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/02/2009 : 10:02:05

I am thinking of adding a solar vent to my boat (south carolina summer's are incredible) but I keep my companionway covered with a tarp to protect the teak. I'm not sure if there would be enough air in-flow to provide good ventilation. I don't really want to add two vents (in/out). Does anyone else use a vent with a covered companionway?

'85 Catalina 25 TR
#4967, South Carolina

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 11:31:11

I doubt that your boat is as air-tight as you believe, even with the companionway cover. A lot of air can be pulled in through tiny spaces, including around your pop-top, under your cockpit locker lid, and under your companionway cover. And the solar vents don't try to move that much. (They exchange the air, but don't create a breeze.) Install the vent, and then with the boat "sealed up", see if you can feel air exiting from the vent. If not, you could probably modify your companionway cover to allow some flow without cutting any more holes.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/02/2009 11:33:48

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 12:44:52

What about a wind sock for the forward hatch?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 12:55:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by NautiC25
 What about a wind sock for the forward hatch?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That's for when you're in the boat, trying to keep cool. The solar vent is for when the boat is closed up. As the boat cools in the evening, the vent exhausts the damp interior air and draws in cooler air that has already dropped much of its moisture as dew. It's very effective at eliminating condensation and preventing mildew.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 13:04:30

Yea, I think I just misunderstood the OP's reason for fresh air. I thought he wanted more than what a solar vent would provide.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 13:22:06

We have a solar vent and it still moves air even when the boat is all closed up. There are plenty of places where a little air can get in and that is all that is needed. Like Dave said, the idea is to circulate air continuously, not to create a breeze like a cabin fan.

This year I bought a bag of balsam from an online store in Maine. We filled a small pillow with it and sewed it up. Adds a great fresh smell to the cabin. We have a smaller one in the head.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 06/02/2009 13:23:02

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 13:26:28

I wonder if a box of baking soda would help. Works in the fridge. lol

Edited by - NautiC25 on 06/02/2009 13:27:09

Blue Nose
1st Mate

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67 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 13:45:09

Can anyone recommend a particular solar vent fan? The ones I have seen are pretty ugly. The looks and almost 3" of height is causing me to pause. Any good suggestions as to location of the vent. Most people seem to mount them on the bow hatch cover. How about on the cabin roof or some other place. If I mount it on the bow hatch I am concerned it will catch the genoa lines as the pass across the bow and hatch during tacks.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 13:46:32

We've got a hatchway cover too, there is plenty of space for air to get through. Our solar vent is mounted in the head.

Edited by - on

tod
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 13:57:57

glad to hear that a single vent will work with the hatchway cover. I'll try the catalina direct stainless model and will probably put it in the head, just forward of the mast. Thought about using the hatch cover but the admiral sometimes sits up front and wouldn't appreciate the 3" bump.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 14:17:18

Check the blog for our installation. No fuss no muss.

http://littleboatiris.blogspot.com/2009/05/work-thus-far-update.html
http://littleboatiris.blogspot.com/2009/05/harnessing-in-power-of-sun.html

Edited by - on

Tom Gauntt
Navigator

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204 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 17:37:01

I installed the Nicro day/night SS fan offered at Catalina Direct. Like Prospector, I put it just forward of the mast in the head. As far as air flow goes, I think the hole for the battery cable in the stern provides more than enough volume for the fan. I would guess air leaking around the cockpit locker, poptop, anchor locker, etc., would provide plenty of air as well.

I have noticed a dramatic decrease in mildew and associated odors. I highly recommend this upgrade!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 18:32:55

Two advantages to mounting in the forward hatch: (1) You're cutting a big hole in a small, replaceable item rather than in the deck and cabin liner. (2) The sloped surface is somewhat less likely to be stepped on. A disadvantage: Its faint "whir" will be right over the heads of those sleeping in the v-berth. (...although I think the new models can be switched off.) And closer to the mast might be less "ugly". I got the white plastic model to blend in--you might be able to see it on Sarge (click below).

I don't think jib sheets can fit into the small slot around the base, and haven't heard of anyone having that problem.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/02/2009 18:34:04

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/02/2009 : 20:32:58

The new Nicros can be turned off which you will want to do if it is over your head.

Edited by - on

Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 06:01:14

Location, location, location. It's very much a matter of personal preference. After much agonizing, I put mine between the skylight and the anchor locker, because it's relatively out of the way and it maximizes airflow through the boat. It works well to reduce mildew. I replaced the original white plastic version with stainless steel -- the plastic deteriorates and cracks from the sun.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 06:40:09

If I were to do it again...

I would put it where the skylight (deadlight) is on the bow, just to get rid of the leak-prone square of plastic. (Actually I'm not sure I would, but I am really tired of that deadlight. It will soon disappear.)

I put mine where it is because SWMBO like lying on the front of the boat with a glass of wine and a good book, the vent would have made it uncomfortable to take a cockpit cusion up there and lie down.

Edited by - Prospector on 06/03/2009 06:40:58

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 13:35:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I put mine where it is because SWMBO like lying on the front of the boat with a glass of wine and a good book, the vent would have made it uncomfortable to take a cockpit cusion up there and lie down.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's actually a darn good reason.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 16:51:15

I have the Nicro on the deck of my boat.

Is ahead of the Mast and not on the hatch. I like resting back on the hatch myself. The Nicro does work well for moving air in the boat. My companionway is covered when not on the boat; however, I have a port hatch on the side of the cockpit wall that is usually opened to allow air into the boat. The air flow moves from aft toward the vent. The location of the downside of the Nicro is in the head just before the berth area.

Deric

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 18:27:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 ...to get rid of the leak-prone square of plastic. (Actually I'm not sure I would, but I am really tired of that deadlight. It will soon disappear.)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">A 3/8"-thick piece of Lexan, beveled around the sides, is a bullet-proof replacement so you still have some light up there. If your leaks are due to stepping on the flimsy lens, you'll probably be stepping on the vent, too. And it's probably more fragile than the skylight.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 19:13:40

I did the repair that Dave mentions on my C22 which had that same deadlight. Bought a piece of 1/4" tinted lexan at a local plastics shop. If I recall correctly I used silicone to hold it down. While silicone is not a great adhesive the portlight is horizontal so it worked.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 06/03/2009 19:52:38

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2009 : 19:46:27

Better yet use this stuff. We used it to replace our portlights. Great stuff.

[url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1052"]Plexiglass Adhesive[/url]

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2009 : 06:37:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 ...to get rid of the leak-prone square of plastic. (Actually I'm not sure I would, but I am really tired of that deadlight. It will soon disappear.)<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">A 3/8"-thick piece of Lexan, beveled around the sides, is a bullet-proof replacement so you still have some light up there. If your leaks are due to stepping on the flimsy lens, you'll probably be stepping on the vent, too. And it's probably more fragile than the skylight.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

New thread started here http://www.catalina-capri-25s.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19945 to end hijack

Edited by - Prospector on 06/04/2009 06:45:08

tod
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2009 : 13:40:22

Deric, tell me more about this hatch on the port side of your cockpit???????

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2009 : 15:42:28

Previous owner had a vent cover on a hole forward in main cabin. The vent cover was made by Nicro, so I went to West Marine and picked up a Nicro Solar vent with hopes it would fit the opening...which it did. Solar Vent install took only the time to pop the old vent cover off, install the rechargeable battery in the solar vent and then push the solar vent onto the existing opening.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2009 : 18:23:33

Tod,

My port light hatch looks something like this. On my boat the hatch is on the starboard side in the aft berth. It opens into the cockpit but the opening lid is on the inside of the berth. It captures light and air. I can shut the hatch as well.

http://img.nauticexpo.com/images_ne/photo-g/boat-rectangular-porthole-99518.jpg

Edited by - on

jonfew346
1st Mate

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USA
33 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2011 : 06:14:02

Does anyone have any feedback on choosing a Nicro solar vent over the Sunforce? The Sunforce is cheaper. I know you usually get what you pay for, but I have read some bad reviews about the Nicro.

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