Any suggestions for putting opening windows on a 23 (Or abou

[OS2Dude]

I would REALLY like to replace my fixed foreward ports with ones that open and drain. I can't have the foreward hatch open using the jib as the sheet gets caught in it and the boat gets/stays hot.

Has anyone replaced the original ports on their 23? Would you do it gain? What brand did you use? How long did it take? Any special tools needed? Can it be done at the dock?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Sunbird22358]

Re: Any suggestions for putting opening windows on a 23 (Or

The following advice is based on the 1977-85 O'DAY 23, the older model might be easier to find opening ports that will fit the opening as well as the appearance of the boat.
I think it can be done......question is whether it is worth the effort. I doubt that you will find a pair of opening ports that will match the shape and size of the original ports, so a simple swap is not going to be possible. The easiest solution may be to install a vent in the forward hatch, one of the low-profile exhaust vents, either one that draws out the stale air from the cabin by suction created by airflow over the vent or one of the solar-powered models that use a fan to supliment the airflow. Still not cheap at over $100 ea. those vents will still cost less and be easier to install than new ports.

If you still want to put in opening ports, you may find a pair of oval ports that are suitable, it will be less work if they are larger than the original ports so that you end up enlarging the holes in the cabin sides instead of having to fill in around the ports. It may not look "right", but you will have opening ports. If the orginal ports were a bit larger than they are (looking at pics of a 23) You might be able to cutout part of the plexiglass in the original ports to accomodate a pair of small opening ports set into the present ports, not ideal (would require pretty small opening ports!).
To install opening ports that are smaller than the originals will require glassing in the original cut-outs, then cutting out the holes for the new opening ports. That is a big job, best left to a fiberglass expert ,and will take a week or two with the boat "in the shop". The inside may need work as well to do the job correctly. Even after all that.......the boat may look "weird".

 

[Gaf]

Re: Any suggestions for putting opening windows on a 23 (Or

I really have to agree with Sunbird. I considered the same mod for a long time and could never quite find what I was looking for, as it would really change the lines of the boat. I found that if I just cracked the forward hatch just slightly, I would get some ventilation, and not foul the jib/genoa sheets. In the end, I just went sailing. Fair Winds!

 

[Joe11688]

Re: Any suggestions for putting opening windows on a 23 (Or

A friend of mine installed a solar vent with a small fan on the forward hatch of his Seaward 22 many years ago and he's happy with it. I think it's an excellent idea myself.

 

[emergpa1]

A friend of mine installed a solar vent with a small fan on the forward hatch of his Seaward 22 many years ago and he's happy with it. I think it's an excellent idea myself.

I like the solar vent idea also. Besides, when it's hot, it's gonna be hot! That's just the way it is. My 26 has an opening forward hatch, and two opening ports, and it's still hotter than a pound of Mexican fire ants in the summer. That's why I love the fall and early winter sails the best. In fact, this year I left My Girl in the water all winter, and we had some great sails. I have pulled her for the summer to do some upgrades. The goal is to have her back in the water by late summer. Right now it is 104 outside in the shade. ?

We did some catamaran sailing in Florida a couple of days ago. What a blast! No opening ports needed there!

 

[Fly_H23]

A friend of mine installed a solar vent with a small fan on the forward hatch of his Seaward 22 many years ago and he's happy with it. I think it's an excellent idea myself.

So the solar fan was mounted directly to the plexiglass? Is a hole saw some quality sealant and a bucketful of nerves all you need to do this install? The O'day 26 we are looking at has a solar vent located between the anchor locker and fwd hatch. Seems to work well but thinking about adding a couple more if we buy the boat.

 

[OS2Dude]

Re: Any suggestions for putting opening windows on a 23 (Or

My boat already has a solar vet in the forward (fiberglass) hatch. It just does not do a lot to keep the boat cool during the summer days on the water. With the bulkheads there, the v-berth / potty get overly hot and stay that way (even with the main hatch open) unless I can open the forward hatch to get air moving there.

If opening windows are not the answer, what about some kind of side 'walls' for the hatch, something that would hold it open a few inches and also prevent the jib sheet from fouling in the open hatch?

 

[Joe11688]

So the solar fan was mounted directly to the Plexiglas? Is a hole saw some quality sealant and a bucketful of nerves all you need to do this install? The O'day 26 we are looking at has a solar vent located between the anchor locker and fwd hatch. Seems to work well but thinking about adding a couple more if we buy the boat.

Yes. My friend Wayne has his solar vent mounted in the Plexiglas of his forward hatch.

Last month I had a leak coming in around the edge of my forward hatch lens and I wound up removing the lens, cleaning it up good and using Dap clear Silicone Rubber Adhesive Caulking to adhere it. This stuff works great at adhering plastic. I have used Dow Corning 795 in the past and the stuff is just too messy to work with.
One of my friends used Dap on a forward hatch lens that he replaced on his Pearson Ariel and it worked great for him.

 

[Joe11688]

I would REALLY like to replace my fixed foreward ports with ones that open and drain. I can't have the foreward hatch open using the jib as the sheet gets caught in it and the boat gets/stays hot.

Has anyone replaced the original ports on their 23? Would you do it gain? What brand did you use? How long did it take? Any special tools needed? Can it be done at the dock?

Thank you for your time.

I don't think that opening ports are going to do it for you. You could leave that forward hatch wide open on long tacks but at some point you'll need to keep messing with it when you come about. Also, there will be times when you'll need to keep it closed when the seas get a little rough and spray starts entering your V birth section.

On extremely hot days I usually find a nice cove to anchor in and set up my polytarps. I use about three of them of various sizes on my boat.
Polytarps are pretty cheap. All you need is some 3/16" nylon braid and a 1/2" brass grommet set for installing the grommets where the tarps can be tied evenly. I use quick release hitches on the ropes of my tarps for fast set up and removal.

I've set up a 5'X7' polytarp to my stern rail and used my boat hook to support it while sailing along on hot days.
My main tarp is an 8'X10' that I tie over the boom.
I have a 1 gallon weed sprayer filled with water and I use it as a cooling mist in the cockpit. I cut the wand down a little shorter.
The way I see it is; it may be hot down in the cabin but the dog and I are sitting out in the cockpit with either a golf umbrella or a small polytarp to keep the sun off us, but when we anchor the other tarps go up and that cabin and cockpit are a lot cooler on a hot summer day.

 

[emergpa1]

That's a single round turn with a half hitch done with a byte?

 

[Joe11688]

Re: Any suggestions for putting opening windows on a 23 (Or

I think the first one is a slipped clove hitch and the second one is a round turn with a slipped half hitch, Keith.