Improving below-deck ventilation

[Wanderer138]

It's HOT and RAINY here in the summer, and being belowdecks is a real test of my dedication to cruising at this time of year. I have a couple of ideas for improving cabin ventilation, but before I start cutting holes in my pride and joy, I thought I would throw them out for some feedback. Here goes...1. The starboard side of the main cabin gets no air at all. I want to cut a rectangular hole in the starboard side of the bulkhead just above the level of the table and fit one of those teak louver inserts from the BoatUS catalog. The frame and louvers would be on the cabin side to preserve privacy in the forepeak, and so the screw heads won't show in the cabin. My only fear is weakening the bulkhead.2. A small clear hatch could be installed in the far end of the starboard quarter berth. It would open by swinging out and up into the fuel tank lazaret. The seat should keep the rain off, so the hatch could stay open all the time when not sailing. 3. Alternatively, the hatch could be installed in the starboard side of the cockpit, below seat level, where it would be easier to reach from the cabin. In this case the bimini should keep most of the rain off. I have been on larger cruising boats with this setup and it really works.I have a couple of other ideas but they are a little more radical (that's a really nice way to say "wacko") so I'll stop here for now. Please feel free to put in your two cents worth. Thanks.PeterS/V Raven(possibly rechristened "Sauna")

 

[Jon Bastien]

My thoughts...

Hi Peter, You're absolutely right, the 23 turns into a sauna on a hot Florida afternoon. I hadn't really thought about it much, since we normally anchor, throw a tarp over the boom, and leave the pin boards out of the companionway when it looks like it's going to rain. (The tarp keeps MOST of the water out of the cabin...) Cutting a hole in the bulkhead in the main cabin shouldn't be a big problem; I think most of the structural load in that area of the boat is handled by the compression post. You may want to give the nice folks at Hunter a call before you actually cut it out, though. On '2 Sheets', there's a storage rack mounted to the bulkhead there, so I wouldn't be able to make that modification without losing the rack. I think the hatch in the quarterberth is a great idea. Personally, I think I'd buy the 'self draining' type, because I know there's no way to avoid water hitting it. That said, I can find a drawback to both mounting locations. If you mount it in the fuel locker area, you run the risk of getting fuel vapors into your cabin space; If you put it in the cockpit area, then it runs the risk of getting kicked (and breaking your toe in the process). I think I would go with the fuel area, and relocate the fuel tank when you want the hatch open. Also, that area isn't very water-tight on my boat- That seat has no channels around it, so the water just runs down the side wall of the fuel locker when it rains.  Good luck, and let us know what you come up with!--Jon BastienH23 '2 Sheets to the Wind'H25 'Adagio'

 

[Brian]

Another option

I just bought my '86 H23 and haven't even been out on it, yet. My intentions, though, are to install a Nicro Water Trap /w Low Profile Cowl vent just aft and C/L of the chain locker. This will ensure fresh air in the V-berth. Additionally, I want to install a Nicro Day/Night vent (exhaust mode) on the cockpit coaming in the vicinity of the fuel tank locker. This will provide good air flow throughout much of the boat 24/7. I haven't had time to check out exact locations yet. The Nicro Day/Night vents work great! I had two on my 27'.Brian

 

[Wanderer138]

Thanks Jon and Brian

I spoke to the factory today and they didn't think that these two vents would weaken the boat. I think the side of the cockpit footwell will work better than the fuel lazaret. That way anyone lying in the quarter berth will have the vent directly above their face. For about $120 in materials and a day's work, things below are going to be a whole lot cooler. Now, all I need is a free day...PeterS/V Raven

 

[Brian Snook]

I took a look finally.

I took a look at my proposed ventilation solution. Because of the side deck camber next to the cockpit, I don't think putting a Nicro Solar Vent there is feasable. I've decided to install it just forward of the forward hatch, before the coach roof hits the deck. In exhaust mode, this should at least ventilate the majority of the boat. Peter, let me know how your port installation goes in the cockpit footwell (which I also think is better than the fuel locker). Brian