Real Ventilation for V Berth

[Jacktar]

For those of you who have no vent or just a passive vent like a nicro 3" in foredeck or hatch cover this is a golden (based on marine parts markup) opportunity to get one. West Marine is selling both white plastic and stainless cover 3 or 4 inch solar powered Nicro Day/Night plus vents for 99.99 in store or on line (free ship to store) until July 5th. I bought one and just installed it today , it is humming away on exhaust right now as I type shifting to battery at dark and back to solar in morning. Specs say will run 40 hours on battery. If you already have a nicro 3" its a relatively quick change out. Other wise just cut the hole (I know its scary but has to be done!) and bolt it in. Nice little fan with two blades for exhaust or intake. Hums along with a sound like a ten penny nail getting hit with a greasy ball peen hammer!

 

[seabeau]

Ball peen hammer

For those of you who have no vent or just a passive vent like a nicro 3" in foredeck or hatch cover this is a golden (based on marine parts markup) opportunity to get one. West Marine is selling both white plastic and stainless cover 3 or 4 inch solar powered Nicro Day/Night plus vents for 99.99 in store or on line (free ship to store) until July 5th. I bought one and just installed it today , it is humming away on exhaust right now as I type shifting to battery at dark and back to solar in morning. Specs say will run 40 hours on battery. If you already have a nicro 3" its a relatively quick change out. Other wise just cut the hole (I know its scary but has to be done!) and bolt it in. Nice little fan with two blades for exhaust or intake. Hums along with a sound like a ten penny nail getting hit with a greasy ball peen hammer!

Wow! I haven't heard the "greasy ball peen hammer" quote in many many, years.

 

[JohnCTV21]

Forgive the question, but I have no experience with fans like this.

How waterproof are they?

My V21 takes some water over the bow in a chop and I really don't want water getting in.

Thanks for putting up with the new guy

 

[Jacktar]

The fan is in the underside of the cover, air comes in under its edge, over a baffle and down thru the fan. It has a sliding baffle closer to prevent green water (washover) from getting in during weather, you just turn off the fan switch and close the baffle. Later you reverse the process. Fan is shut off by the way but the solar panel continues to charge. All of these vents work in a similar design to prevent water but allow air flow.

 

[Gene Neill]

Wow! I haven't heard the "greasy ball peen hammer" quote in many many, years.

LOL ... I'm still trying to figure it out!!

 

[down_shift]

I overlooked this sale, but hit the local WM for three of them as it was on my bucket list. Installed a pair of 4" SS vents this morning (removed the old and ratty dorad pedestals and non-functioning vents from what known era). Missing the 3-3/4" hole saw required to install the 3" over the head. That will come next week. Your post saved me ~ $195. Thank you.

 

[CloudDiver]

I took a look at them this weekend while at WM picking up a few other things. I decided to pass because of the numerous bad reviews they have. It seems that there was a previous model that was well made and lasted for years, but they changed the design and most reviews seem to note they kick the can after 18 to 24 months. One person who had a few of the originals on his boat and only replaced one unit with the new design compared the guts of both; he noted the new ones are made of lighter materials, more plastic etc... generally 'cheaper' quality.
I'm a long way away from needing a vent, so I hope I can find an alternative product or a similar price when I am ready.

 

[Chief RA]

I have one of these vent units. Its OK as a low flow air transfer concept but definitely not in cooling fan category. I can't get too excited as I breathe harder than these units transfer air! Chief