My girlfriend bought me a Nicro day/night solar powered vent for christmas last year. I can't bring myself to drilling a big hole in my deck to install it. Am I being a baby, or do I have a right to be nervous. And, are they worth installing? The brochure shows them sprayed like bullet holes all over the decks in their diagrams. I don't know if I should buy that or not. I always dreamed about sailing to Hawaii and I've read that the less holes and hatches on deck the better. Granted, my boat is far from "Blue Water", but I don't want to make it any less. Any comments?
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Trevor
Great for head
Hi Ken - I have one of those solar powered vents in the head and feel it does a great job of replenishing air in that tight space. Granted, I didn't drill the big hole myself (it was installed by the PO), but I'd go for it. I was a little nervous when I drilled a big ol' hole in the foredeck for a windlass, but am pleased with the result. You'll gain confidence in your ability by busting out the heavy artillery! Remember, if you mess it up, almost anything is fixable. Besides, you'll make your girlfriend proud and pleased by using that gift! Best, Trevor
Hi Ken - I have one of those solar powered vents in the head and feel it does a great job of replenishing air in that tight space. Granted, I didn't drill the big hole myself (it was installed by the PO), but I'd go for it. I was a little nervous when I drilled a big ol' hole in the foredeck for a windlass, but am pleased with the result. You'll gain confidence in your ability by busting out the heavy artillery! Remember, if you mess it up, almost anything is fixable. Besides, you'll make your girlfriend proud and pleased by using that gift! Best, Trevor
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dave
ventillation
ventillation in your boat is extremely crucial. it drastically reduces mold and mildew growth and keeps the boat smelling fresh. My last boat had none and my current boat has two dorade vents. I would never go without ventillation again. Dave
ventillation in your boat is extremely crucial. it drastically reduces mold and mildew growth and keeps the boat smelling fresh. My last boat had none and my current boat has two dorade vents. I would never go without ventillation again. Dave
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Bill
Hatch Installation
Instead of cutting a hole in the cabin top, why not install the fan in a hatch. My intent is to install one in the head hatch one of these days.
Instead of cutting a hole in the cabin top, why not install the fan in a hatch. My intent is to install one in the head hatch one of these days.
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Brian
mine is fine
I hated putting that big hole in my deck also. If you install it properly, you don't have anything to worry about, aside from having to replace it if you break it. The vent should have come with a deck plate to install should you need to remove the vent due to breakage or if you have rough seas washing over the deck. I only coastal cruise so I'm not too concerned about it being a weak spot on the boat. The fact that in vents the head on my boat is real nice. There is always the hatch installation option if you don't want to cut through the deck. There is also a hole saw out there made specifically for cutting the size hole you need, but you would have to search around to find one. That would eliminate having to cut a nice hole with a sabre saw.
I hated putting that big hole in my deck also. If you install it properly, you don't have anything to worry about, aside from having to replace it if you break it. The vent should have come with a deck plate to install should you need to remove the vent due to breakage or if you have rough seas washing over the deck. I only coastal cruise so I'm not too concerned about it being a weak spot on the boat. The fact that in vents the head on my boat is real nice. There is always the hatch installation option if you don't want to cut through the deck. There is also a hole saw out there made specifically for cutting the size hole you need, but you would have to search around to find one. That would eliminate having to cut a nice hole with a sabre saw.
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Paul Akers
Salon hatch
Mine is installed in the center of the salon in a small overhead hatch. I'm glad it's there to circulate the air when the boat is closed up.
Mine is installed in the center of the salon in a small overhead hatch. I'm glad it's there to circulate the air when the boat is closed up.
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Mary Ann
Solar vents
We put ours in the hatch cover over the v-berth. Believe it really helps with keeping air moving through the cabin. Thinking of adding an additional one over the main saloon. Bill
We put ours in the hatch cover over the v-berth. Believe it really helps with keeping air moving through the cabin. Thinking of adding an additional one over the main saloon. Bill
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Dennis Thomas
Three of em
My Catalina 36 has three; one in the head and two in the main saloon. The two big ones in the main saloon replace the existing factory cowl vents. One is set up to exhaust over the galley. The one over the nav station pulls air in. The head vent is set to exhaust and a hole had to be cut for it. All three have plugs that will screw in from the bottom to plug the hole if you’re taking on water. I’ve only used the plugs to trap heat in the winter when I’m on board. When I do I can see the increase in condensation on cold surfaces. Ventilation is a good thing. Dennis S/V Anodyne Catalina 36' #34
My Catalina 36 has three; one in the head and two in the main saloon. The two big ones in the main saloon replace the existing factory cowl vents. One is set up to exhaust over the galley. The one over the nav station pulls air in. The head vent is set to exhaust and a hole had to be cut for it. All three have plugs that will screw in from the bottom to plug the hole if you’re taking on water. I’ve only used the plugs to trap heat in the winter when I’m on board. When I do I can see the increase in condensation on cold surfaces. Ventilation is a good thing. Dennis S/V Anodyne Catalina 36' #34
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Jack
We have 3
Intake in the v-berth hatch. Exhaust in the head. Exhaust over stove in galley. Great ventilation. You'll not be sorry you have them. Thank her for the great gift. Jack s/v Friendship C350, #80
Intake in the v-berth hatch. Exhaust in the head. Exhaust over stove in galley. Great ventilation. You'll not be sorry you have them. Thank her for the great gift. Jack s/v Friendship C350, #80
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Kevin
How bad do you want your girlfriend?
Install it...they are great and really make a difference, especially in a closed cabin in the summer heat! ...and, it's the best thing (well almost) you could do for your girlfriend too! I wish my wife thought of giving me one.
Install it...they are great and really make a difference, especially in a closed cabin in the summer heat! ...and, it's the best thing (well almost) you could do for your girlfriend too! I wish my wife thought of giving me one.
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Augie Byllott
One of the previous owners installed three on my Irwin 38. One in the forward cabin hatch, one in the port saloon hatch, and one in the aft cabin hatch. They're great for circulating air, especially when the boat is closed up tight. There's never an odor and no dampness inside. I can appreciate your apprehension at chopping a hole in the deck. That's a major undertaking. Stick it in one of the hatch covers. It's an easier job and will make your girlfriend so happy that she may even give you a few more.
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Bob
An excellent modification
Mine was installed by the PO on the foredeck hatch cover, and it works beautifully. I would have been hesitant about cutting that big hole also, but after living with the result, recommend it strongly.
Mine was installed by the PO on the foredeck hatch cover, and it works beautifully. I would have been hesitant about cutting that big hole also, but after living with the result, recommend it strongly.
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Joe
Ken...... Just in case you've never....
... heard this (I'm paraphrasing) "It's not really, truly your boat until you drill a hole in it."
... heard this (I'm paraphrasing) "It's not really, truly your boat until you drill a hole in it."
Nothing negative.
Ken: You did not hear anything negative here except from Joe. Why don't you let him cut the hole in your hatch? Seriously, they work quite well. I would suggest that you only install them in a hatch and NOT thru the deck. If for ANY reason you decide to get rid of the thing, you just need to replace the plexiglass in the hatch. Also, it is much better to use a hole saw than a saber saw (but the saw will work). Depending on the size of your boat, you want to be sure that you have the largest size and maybe have two of them. One is better than none.
Ken: You did not hear anything negative here except from Joe. Why don't you let him cut the hole in your hatch? Seriously, they work quite well. I would suggest that you only install them in a hatch and NOT thru the deck. If for ANY reason you decide to get rid of the thing, you just need to replace the plexiglass in the hatch. Also, it is much better to use a hole saw than a saber saw (but the saw will work). Depending on the size of your boat, you want to be sure that you have the largest size and maybe have two of them. One is better than none.
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Joe
That was a negative comment?
Steve, don't tell me you've never heard that saying before. Ken was a little nervous about cutting a hole in his deck, I simply was trying mellow his fear with a little humor. By the way, I would have no problem cutting a hole in ken's deck (or my own) to install a beneficial upgrade like a solar vent. Bring it on!
Steve, don't tell me you've never heard that saying before. Ken was a little nervous about cutting a hole in his deck, I simply was trying mellow his fear with a little humor. By the way, I would have no problem cutting a hole in ken's deck (or my own) to install a beneficial upgrade like a solar vent. Bring it on!
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Rick Warner
Roto-Zip
I installed a solar vent on my Hunter 30 last year and I know the feeling when you are about to cut into the deck;you only get one chance to get it right. I installed mine on the forward Bomar hatch. I used a Roto-Zip with the circle cutting attachment. The tool is light weight and it cuts very clean. Carry on with confidence!
I installed a solar vent on my Hunter 30 last year and I know the feeling when you are about to cut into the deck;you only get one chance to get it right. I installed mine on the forward Bomar hatch. I used a Roto-Zip with the circle cutting attachment. The tool is light weight and it cuts very clean. Carry on with confidence!
Ho-ho....
Ho-ho Joe: Don't you know it is alway easier to cut a hole in someone elses boat? I have to agree with him about cutting any hole in the deck, through the core and then worrying about a leak in the future. I would NEVER consider a vent in the deck unless there were NO other choices. I too was just making light of the fact that you could do it for him and he would not have feel that pain!
Ho-ho Joe: Don't you know it is alway easier to cut a hole in someone elses boat? I have to agree with him about cutting any hole in the deck, through the core and then worrying about a leak in the future. I would NEVER consider a vent in the deck unless there were NO other choices. I too was just making light of the fact that you could do it for him and he would not have feel that pain!
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