Drilling thru the deck for solar vent - any cautions?

[Bob4203]

I am going to install a couple of solar powered ventilators as soon as the weather warms up (one above the head area and the other above the v-berth). I have the '88 Mark II model with only one amidship hatch away from the head area. I am abit nervous anytime I core thru any deck, mostly about impacting wiring or braces.

Can anyone provide any first hand experience with coring thru at these venilator locations? Any wiring? Anyone know the core thicknesses at these locations. I believe the vents will require a 3-4 inch diameter hole.

Any time tested solar powered vents suggested here?

Thanks

Bob
'88 Mark II
Georgia

 

[Don Guillette]

I installed a solar vent in the V berth hatch. The most important part is the tool you use to cut the hole. Many use a sabre saw and while it works the much better choice is a RotoZip, which you can purchase at Home Depot. This tool give you the ability to make a precise cut. I also use the RotoZip to install a round port in the rear berth area. The port provided needed light and ventalation to that area.

The V berth installation gave more than ample ventalation. Try the V berth first and see if you can get away with one.

 

[Maine Sail]

The best tool for the job is the proper sized hole saw and arbor. I prefer hole saws made by Lennox, they tend to last the longest, but others work too. Once you drill the hole you'll want to carve out some of the core from between the deck skins and seal it with thickened epoxy or resin to prevent water ingress into the core.. On holes like this I use a laminate trimmer, guide and a bit adjusted to carve out only the core..

Install the v-berth one in the hatch and you won't need to worry about the deck..

 

[Bob4203]

Thanks.
If my forward hatch was flush with the deck I would install the ventilator in the hatch cover, but with my hatch configuration I prefer through the deck and forward of the hatch over the v-berth. I have several hole cutting saws that should suffice for the job. My big concern was over wiring, but further evaluation of that location indicates that the running light wiring is along the port hull/deck joint area and I should not encounter anything above the v-berth.

Bob