Candles

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

semi closed spaces and flames

Remember too that in semi closed spaces your concern is not just build up of co, but also the depletion of oxygen that is used in the burn process. Candles are great, but at the very least configure something to keep the lower part of your companionway hatch open a few inches to suck air from the cockpit into the cabin. Remember that cold air (outside air) drops while warm (inside) air rises. Cold air will come in and get drawn in near the cabin floor through the lowest port of entry, likely the companionway, and leave through the higest point of exit, likely the cowl vents. With a candle lit and your boat closed up in 'at anchor' configuration light an incense stick, or cigarette if you smoke and watch the air movement at openings in your boat, like the vents, or companionway. This is the only sure way of checking for air movement. If the cabin gets visibly smokey from the incense or cigarette smoke, you know you have a ventilation problem and need to increase venting both in and out. The best advice is likely to get warmer bedding. You will sleep better in a risk free environment.

 

[Franklin]

Fixed

After looking for places to put fans and not liking any of them, I went with correcting the design of the scoopers. I bought some thick foam weatherstripping from the hardward store and cut it to fit perfectly in the places I needed to isolate the airflow for each scooper. I tested it with the hairdryer and it works. That's one thing off my list. Thanks for motivating me Ross

 

[newly anonymous]

jumping in late here

Franklin,Even though I have a diesel heater, I use parafin lamps and candles a great deal for both light and heat. I have four carbon monoxide detectors on my boat, and have never had one of them trip because of a candle. IMHO, the more time you spend on the hook during the cold months, the more you want to look into candles and lamps. But it would be a goofy risk to do so without CO detectors on board.

 

[Franklin]

Agreed. Just installed one today

I finally remembered to get one

 

[Don12364]

Air Ducting

Hi Franklin,I believe you have a 1996 H376 - like mine. I have often had the top off the deck panel where the vents are located. On my boat the housing is a single piece but each Dorade vent has a tube to its respective outlet so effectively each is individually ducted into the cabin. Thus the red line in your sketch is actually actually realised another way. I turn one cowl forwards and the other aft and can feel the fresh air coming in.That said, the grilles in the headlining are not that far apart so some of the fresh air must go straight out again.Anyway it works for me.

 

[Franklin]

Tube

What is it made of and where does the rain water drain out of it? I would assume that a tube with a dip in it could have a small hole for the water to drain. That might actually be a better design as the air is more channelled to the vents.

 

[Nereussailor]

CO2

I doubt that any boat is sealed up enough to allow CO2 levels to reach a lethal level from a candle. Every boat has air space that allows fresh air into it. My boat is a 1983 Hunter 30. There is air space from the aft berth through to the lazzarettes with vents going to the outside of the boat. There is also a small air gap between the hatch cover to the companion-way boards. It might not seem like much, but it's alot when talking about CO2 escaping the cabin. Now, runing a gas engine with everything sealed up, that's another story.