I bought one and don't want to cut a hole in the deck or house until I have some good location options. Thanks, Tom
- Status
Solar Vent
In the head is the only way to go. It takes a lot of work to cut the hole. Some have said to use a rotozip. I tried using a reciprocating saw. You need lots of blades! One thing that works REALLY well is a 1.5" diameter drum sander that goes in your drill. It will hog off a lot of material and really clean up the hole. Make sure you tape a plastic bag to the ceiling first. That controls the dust in the boat. When complete, just pull it down and throw it out!
In the head is the only way to go. It takes a lot of work to cut the hole. Some have said to use a rotozip. I tried using a reciprocating saw. You need lots of blades! One thing that works REALLY well is a 1.5" diameter drum sander that goes in your drill. It will hog off a lot of material and really clean up the hole. Make sure you tape a plastic bag to the ceiling first. That controls the dust in the boat. When complete, just pull it down and throw it out!
Two on my 27
I've got two Nicro Day/Night Solar/24 hr. vents on my 27. One is located in the forward hatch, one is located just starboard of the companionway hatch in the cabin top. I also have a passive vent in the hatchboards, and often leave one or both Bomar deck hatches open a crack. (They are about 10" x 10"). Thus, I leave both solar vents in exhaust mode, and get pretty good airflow throughout the boat when it's closed up. If you do install them in the deck, make sure to seal the deck core so it doesn't absorb water. Randy
I've got two Nicro Day/Night Solar/24 hr. vents on my 27. One is located in the forward hatch, one is located just starboard of the companionway hatch in the cabin top. I also have a passive vent in the hatchboards, and often leave one or both Bomar deck hatches open a crack. (They are about 10" x 10"). Thus, I leave both solar vents in exhaust mode, and get pretty good airflow throughout the boat when it's closed up. If you do install them in the deck, make sure to seal the deck core so it doesn't absorb water. Randy
Solar vent location
If it was me, I'd mount it in the forward hatch. It's far easier to cut a hole in a hatch than it is in a deck. It's also easier to patch a hole in a hatch if the thing drops dead. The primary purpose of these fans is not to provide any kind of 'comfort' cooling because they don't move a sufficient quantity of air to do that. The primary purpose is to prevent the problems caused by moist air trapped inside a closed boat. Their intended function is to exhaust moisture laden air from the boat. They perform this function very well. As the air pressure inside the boat is lowered as a result of the fan's pushing inside air out, drier air will be drawn into the boat through the vents in the companionway drop boards. As the drier air moves through the boat it picks up moisture and carries it out via the fan. Virtually all odors begin with moisture. A dry boat is relatively odor free. A boat buttoned up tight for a week with no ventilation smells exactly like a boat that has been buttoned up for a week with no ventilation.
If it was me, I'd mount it in the forward hatch. It's far easier to cut a hole in a hatch than it is in a deck. It's also easier to patch a hole in a hatch if the thing drops dead. The primary purpose of these fans is not to provide any kind of 'comfort' cooling because they don't move a sufficient quantity of air to do that. The primary purpose is to prevent the problems caused by moist air trapped inside a closed boat. Their intended function is to exhaust moisture laden air from the boat. They perform this function very well. As the air pressure inside the boat is lowered as a result of the fan's pushing inside air out, drier air will be drawn into the boat through the vents in the companionway drop boards. As the drier air moves through the boat it picks up moisture and carries it out via the fan. Virtually all odors begin with moisture. A dry boat is relatively odor free. A boat buttoned up tight for a week with no ventilation smells exactly like a boat that has been buttoned up for a week with no ventilation.
Solar vent location on an '82
I have a solar vent installed to starboard of the mast. Some C30s had the option of a second Bomar 10x10 hatch in this spot. Mine did not have this hatch. I'd rather have the solar vent anyway in that spot. Further aft is better in my opinion as there's less risk of the vent getting snagged with a sheet, pulled out, then falling overboard. Also, if the vent was installed in the fwd hatch, I might be bothered by the sound of the vent's motor at night while trying to sleep in the v-berth. The vent would be just above my head.
I have a solar vent installed to starboard of the mast. Some C30s had the option of a second Bomar 10x10 hatch in this spot. Mine did not have this hatch. I'd rather have the solar vent anyway in that spot. Further aft is better in my opinion as there's less risk of the vent getting snagged with a sheet, pulled out, then falling overboard. Also, if the vent was installed in the fwd hatch, I might be bothered by the sound of the vent's motor at night while trying to sleep in the v-berth. The vent would be just above my head.
Location
Over the years I've heard a number of people talk about putting it in the forward hatch. Tom makes a good point about the sound. They are pretty quiet, but tend to make a little more noise after a few years. Remember that this is a hole in the boat, no matter where you put it. If you put it in the head, and water comes through, it has a place to go...right to the bilge. I did have a few drops from time to time with wind and rain. Cutting the hole in the deck just isn't that big a deal (I need to do it twice in our new C42!). The location is very good...I rarely found it in the way. After 6 years, I wouldn't hesitate to put it right there again. The vents do die from time to time. They last 4 years or so. Replacement, takes just a few seconds...as long as they don't change the size of the hole.
Over the years I've heard a number of people talk about putting it in the forward hatch. Tom makes a good point about the sound. They are pretty quiet, but tend to make a little more noise after a few years. Remember that this is a hole in the boat, no matter where you put it. If you put it in the head, and water comes through, it has a place to go...right to the bilge. I did have a few drops from time to time with wind and rain. Cutting the hole in the deck just isn't that big a deal (I need to do it twice in our new C42!). The location is very good...I rarely found it in the way. After 6 years, I wouldn't hesitate to put it right there again. The vents do die from time to time. They last 4 years or so. Replacement, takes just a few seconds...as long as they don't change the size of the hole.
How about on the Bomar hatches
Has anyone installed the solar vent in the plexiglass/plastic in the hatches that are in the head and directly aft of the mast? It seems like these might be good places- fan ventilation with the hatch closed and they can be opened to provide regular ventilation as well.
Has anyone installed the solar vent in the plexiglass/plastic in the hatches that are in the head and directly aft of the mast? It seems like these might be good places- fan ventilation with the hatch closed and they can be opened to provide regular ventilation as well.
yep, Dave
I have a nicro solar vent in a hole in the bomar hatch over the main cabin - works great - year round
I didn't put it in the head as I leave the head hatch open year round, as a little rain in the head is no issue.
I have a nicro solar vent in a hole in the bomar hatch over the main cabin - works great - year round
I didn't put it in the head as I leave the head hatch open year round, as a little rain in the head is no issue.- Status