I have purchased a 1989 Catalina in great shpae, however, as usual, I want to make some modifications to make her more to my liking. One of the changes I want to make is the installation of a Nicro vent (solar/battery model). Have any of you used this item and if so, where did you mount it? I had a Siren and had installed a solar model which helped alot, but on the Cat, I am not sure of the best placement. On the sliding hatch, the front hatch, or some other spot? Joe Candia, NH
Nicro Vent
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We use two of them
We use two of them on our 1988 Catalina 30. One is installed to Stbd and slightly aft of the mast in the salon overhead. The other is above the refrigerator in the galley overhead. Unlike others, both of ours are drilled through the deck (as opposed to mounting them in a hatch cover). One moves air into the boat, the other moves it out. Our boat is mildew and odor free and has been since we bought it. We very much like the Nicro vents and believe they move just enough air through the boat to help prevent mildew, mold, etc. Regards, Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 "Folie a Deux" Channel Islands Harbor, CA
We use two of them on our 1988 Catalina 30. One is installed to Stbd and slightly aft of the mast in the salon overhead. The other is above the refrigerator in the galley overhead. Unlike others, both of ours are drilled through the deck (as opposed to mounting them in a hatch cover). One moves air into the boat, the other moves it out. Our boat is mildew and odor free and has been since we bought it. We very much like the Nicro vents and believe they move just enough air through the boat to help prevent mildew, mold, etc. Regards, Gary Kunkel Catalina 30 "Folie a Deux" Channel Islands Harbor, CA
Nicro Vents
I also have an 89 Cat 30 with the vents installed in the exact locations just described. I purchased the boat with them already installed. I only needed to change one of the batteries to keep them in operation. Just one piece of advice, the unit installed just above the ice box is not as effective as it should be because of the Dodger right above it. It cannot receive any sunlight therefore it cannot run on solar power or charge. It only acts as a passive vent. I plan on adding a third Nicro vent in a location that will always receive sunlight. If you do not have a dodger, the combination described should work fine.
I also have an 89 Cat 30 with the vents installed in the exact locations just described. I purchased the boat with them already installed. I only needed to change one of the batteries to keep them in operation. Just one piece of advice, the unit installed just above the ice box is not as effective as it should be because of the Dodger right above it. It cannot receive any sunlight therefore it cannot run on solar power or charge. It only acts as a passive vent. I plan on adding a third Nicro vent in a location that will always receive sunlight. If you do not have a dodger, the combination described should work fine.
On the hatch
Joe, Hi Neighbor! On my Catalina Capri 25, it is on my front hatch. Works like a champ!
Joe, Hi Neighbor! On my Catalina Capri 25, it is on my front hatch. Works like a champ!
Hi Joe
Hi Joe: Good to see you bought a boat. I sold mine to a fellow on the south shore. Now I am in search of a new boat. Anyway, the forward hatch is probably the best place to mount the vent. It is a the thinnest versus the deck. Mounting on the deck will require you to cut through the plywood coreand could lead to delamination problems, if not finished off properly. I mounted the solar panel to the hatch and it seemed to be fine. Regards, Ted
Hi Joe: Good to see you bought a boat. I sold mine to a fellow on the south shore. Now I am in search of a new boat. Anyway, the forward hatch is probably the best place to mount the vent. It is a the thinnest versus the deck. Mounting on the deck will require you to cut through the plywood coreand could lead to delamination problems, if not finished off properly. I mounted the solar panel to the hatch and it seemed to be fine. Regards, Ted
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