Solar vent recommendations

rgranger

rgranger

.
Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Hi
I want to add a solar vent to my cabin top. I had one on my last sailboat and it kept the "funk" out of the cabin. But I did not instal it. Looking for recommendations on a brand that you have been happy with '

  1. Dependable
  2. Long lasting
  3. Attractive
  4. Quite
  5. Does not let water in the cabin.
 
Tally Ho

Tally Ho

.
Jan 7, 2011
5,489
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
My good old girl (1988 O’Day 322 ) has 2 Nicro solar vents (that model no longer in production).

But thy still make them…found this write-up on line…

www.sailfarlivefree.com

Gear Review: Nicro Day/Night Plus Solar Vent Fan

Inspired writing about sailing featuring personal ponderings, boat reviews, gear reviews, techniques, cruising guides,
www.sailfarlivefree.com www.sailfarlivefree.com


If you are replacing one (have an existing hole), check measurements carefully. I have read that some of the new ones (from the same mfg) are sized a bit different and don’t necessarily fit the old holes.


Greg
 
  • Helpful
Likes: rgranger
S

Steve L22188

.
Apr 28, 2005
272
Oday 302 Lake Perry, KS
Nicro vents were 15 years old and still working on my 1988 O'Day 302 )before I sold it last month after 19 great years.) Smartest thing I did when I replaced the Nicro vents years ago: configured one to bring in fresh air and then configured the second one to exhaust the air. Constant air flow. That boat rarely smelled funky and I'm convinced the constant air movement helped lots.
 
  • Helpful
  • Like
Likes: Timm R Oday25 and rgranger
jviss

jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
I am not a fan. I had a couple of Nicros when I bought my boat. Someone had installed them right in the middle of the two overhead hatches. They were't working, and they were ugly. I tried to get them working, new batteries, etc., to no avail. There were articles online for how to fit new motors, etc., but I lost interest. Bought new, clear hatches and moved on.

Mine has four stainless cowls to dorades, and the boat turns around twice a day with the tide as it's on a mooring, so by angling the cowls I get good airflow.

I can see how folks would want them in some situations, but, Geez, it would be nice if someone would make high-quality, repairable, rebuildable units that had that "yacht" look and feel.
 
  • Like
Likes: Timm R Oday25, rgranger and Captain Larry-DH
J

JBP-PA

.
Apr 29, 2022
585
Jeanneau Tonic 23 Erie, PA
I have a nicro and it is great that it keeps air flowing in the boat even when you are not around. jviss is right that they are big, take up a lot of space, and obstruct a lot of space in clear hatches, but you can install them elsewhere if you have room. Then again, if you have room, dorads provide better air flow. I would like a small vent with a separate solar panel, but I don't know if any except DIY versions.
 
  • Like
Likes: rgranger
rgranger

rgranger

.
Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Thanks @jviss and @JBP-PA

I like the idea of a dorade and will probably add one of those low profile ones at some point but I keep my boat in a slip so I don't think I want to count exclusively on wind flow. I had a solar vent on my Hunter 26 and it worked great. My cabin was always fresh and never had that musty closed up "boat smell". So I'm thinking of adding a Nicro and maybe later, two low profile dorades.
 
  • Like
Likes: JBP-PA and jviss
Tally Ho

Tally Ho

.
Jan 7, 2011
5,489
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
My Nicro’s are mounted in the head and the opposite side rear berth…you can see the port-side head one in this photo. One on the opposite side too.

IMG_0817_Original.jpeg


Dorades would be nice too (I have some “low-profile” vents in front of my spray hood).

Greg
 
  • Helpful
Likes: rgranger
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom