I recently discovered, by reading the instruction manual (oh horrors, I never thought I would sink so low), that there is a humidity control setting for the A/C unit that circulates air by turning on the blower for an hour and then runs the A/C every 4 hours for however long it takes to lower the temperature 2 degrees or up to an hour, whichever is shorter. It has helped to greatly reduce both temperature and humidity of my 356 when left unattended for days or weeks and there is absolutely no smell in the cabin. I may also install a solar vent in the forward hatch to bring in more fresh air than the dorade does. Any comments on either of these topics from other 356 owners?
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RON MILLS
Not sure about the vent.
I 'm not sure I would add the vent which could possibly just add more humidity to the cabin. I have been using the dehumidifer on my A/C for years and agree that it makes the boat smell fresher when closed for days at a time. However, since the A/C is removing the humidity in the air on the boat, with a solar vent you would be adding more humidity, especially when it rains. Just a thought.
I 'm not sure I would add the vent which could possibly just add more humidity to the cabin. I have been using the dehumidifer on my A/C for years and agree that it makes the boat smell fresher when closed for days at a time. However, since the A/C is removing the humidity in the air on the boat, with a solar vent you would be adding more humidity, especially when it rains. Just a thought.
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connsailor
Curious
Does anyone else have concerns about leaving their boat plugged into shore power with the AC cycling on and off while the boat is unattended for days/weeks at a time? Have heard that the dehumidifier reduces humidity and odors, but aren't convinced the risk of a lightening strike close by is worth blowing all the electronics or shorting the panel. Also not crazy about leaving a seacock open when no one's on the boat...just wondering...
Does anyone else have concerns about leaving their boat plugged into shore power with the AC cycling on and off while the boat is unattended for days/weeks at a time? Have heard that the dehumidifier reduces humidity and odors, but aren't convinced the risk of a lightening strike close by is worth blowing all the electronics or shorting the panel. Also not crazy about leaving a seacock open when no one's on the boat...just wondering...
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DAVE
WE HAVE A 410 HUNTER AND WE LEAVE THE CONTROL ON HU1 AND IT WORKS GREAT. WE CALLED MARINE AIR AND THE SAID IT WAS OK TO DO.WE ALSO CHANGED OURER RAW WATER INTAKE FILTER TO GROCO 750 THAT IS MUCH LARGER THEN THE SMALLER SHUREFLOW YOU DONT HAVE WORRYABOUT IT,GETING CLOGGED UP SO FAST.WE REMOVED OUR DORADE VENTS UND PUT 2 SOLAR FANS IN AND THEY KEEP THE AIR MOVING REAL GOOD.THEY BOTH ARE BLOWING OUT WE GO ON ARE EVERY OTHER WEEK.
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John Dorsett
vents
Ivan, I also have thought of placing a solar vent in the front hatch and also middle hatch, then placing a vent in the aft cabin hatch.I have the air that came with the 356 but did not know about the humidity control, I am in texas and need to go ahead and use it . Tired of the smell in the cabin. John S/V Alcyone
Ivan, I also have thought of placing a solar vent in the front hatch and also middle hatch, then placing a vent in the aft cabin hatch.I have the air that came with the 356 but did not know about the humidity control, I am in texas and need to go ahead and use it . Tired of the smell in the cabin. John S/V Alcyone
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Steve Feinsilver
replacing dorades
Have also thought about replacing dorades on my 410 with solar vents. What did you use?
Have also thought about replacing dorades on my 410 with solar vents. What did you use?
Have my doubts.
Steve F: I would have my doubts about the effectiveness of solar vents in the dorades. The dorades have holes that allow the water to drain out so it will probably allow most of the air to escape too. I think they will work much better if mounted directly in the hatches. The solar vents have different blades for intake or exhaust. It is just a matter of cutting a hole in the hatch and installing them. I would also recommend that you get the Day/Nite types so they will run 24 hrs. a day.
Steve F: I would have my doubts about the effectiveness of solar vents in the dorades. The dorades have holes that allow the water to drain out so it will probably allow most of the air to escape too. I think they will work much better if mounted directly in the hatches. The solar vents have different blades for intake or exhaust. It is just a matter of cutting a hole in the hatch and installing them. I would also recommend that you get the Day/Nite types so they will run 24 hrs. a day.
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Buck Harrison
I Don't Think That You Need the Vents,
if you have the newer (dig) controls on your AC unit, as Dave, etc. have described. I have been using the dehumidifier function (HU1) on my 420's units almost full time (whenever I'm off the boat) since the boat was commissioned 18mos ago. No problems, other than having to occasionally clean the raw water filter, and I don't believe that there use in this manner (for which they are designed)should sigificently increase the hazzard of any unwanted problems. As a result of the dehumidifier use, the boat continues to smell almost as new as it did when it was new. In addition, I occasionally spray a little antifungal spray (like "Tinactin")into the AC returns. Not sure how effective these measures have been, but I have (so far) never has the first hint of mould on the boat, and as previously stated, the boat continues to smell fine. John, it's a shame that your new 356 already has a musty odor... before you add the vents try using your AC's HUM1 function and maybe a little antifungal spray. Good luck!
if you have the newer (dig) controls on your AC unit, as Dave, etc. have described. I have been using the dehumidifier function (HU1) on my 420's units almost full time (whenever I'm off the boat) since the boat was commissioned 18mos ago. No problems, other than having to occasionally clean the raw water filter, and I don't believe that there use in this manner (for which they are designed)should sigificently increase the hazzard of any unwanted problems. As a result of the dehumidifier use, the boat continues to smell almost as new as it did when it was new. In addition, I occasionally spray a little antifungal spray (like "Tinactin")into the AC returns. Not sure how effective these measures have been, but I have (so far) never has the first hint of mould on the boat, and as previously stated, the boat continues to smell fine. John, it's a shame that your new 356 already has a musty odor... before you add the vents try using your AC's HUM1 function and maybe a little antifungal spray. Good luck!
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John Dorsett
odor
Buck, The odor I have is either coming from the bilge, or I was not completely pumping the head clean(was only pumping 3 to 4 times. now I pump about 10 to 15 when leaving boat setting if I cannot pump out same day. So I am not completely sure about odor we stay most weekends use showers and Fridge is left on all times. Thought that vents might help with this promblem also lockers tend to smell a bit so might be wondering about this also. I air boat and lockers 1x a week. John S/V Alcyone
Buck, The odor I have is either coming from the bilge, or I was not completely pumping the head clean(was only pumping 3 to 4 times. now I pump about 10 to 15 when leaving boat setting if I cannot pump out same day. So I am not completely sure about odor we stay most weekends use showers and Fridge is left on all times. Thought that vents might help with this promblem also lockers tend to smell a bit so might be wondering about this also. I air boat and lockers 1x a week. John S/V Alcyone
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Scot
Leaving stuff on?
I've read a lot of posts on this site about people leaving fridges on and now this one about the humidity control. Maybe we're a bit paranoid with our first boat but three months after we took possession of our 356 the raw water motor (not pump) for the A/C unit started grinding while we were onboard. I had it replaced under warrentee. I'm not sure leaving anything on is worth the worry during the work week it would cause me.
I've read a lot of posts on this site about people leaving fridges on and now this one about the humidity control. Maybe we're a bit paranoid with our first boat but three months after we took possession of our 356 the raw water motor (not pump) for the A/C unit started grinding while we were onboard. I had it replaced under warrentee. I'm not sure leaving anything on is worth the worry during the work week it would cause me.
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Buck Harrison
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Ron Mills
Scott, let us know
Scott: Please let us know what he says. I have been leaving the HU1 on for about seven years without any problem. If the raw water pump goes out, after three attempts the A/C would simply shut down.
Scott: Please let us know what he says. I have been leaving the HU1 on for about seven years without any problem. If the raw water pump goes out, after three attempts the A/C would simply shut down.
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