We love spending the night on our 240 but were pretty unhappy last year when it rained--and it was warm outside. Any effort to open up hatches was met with water coming in. When we closed things up it was dry, but hotter than heck. I assume the solution lies in positioning a tarp over the body of the boat but before I go out and invest in something, thought I would seek some guidance from other boat owners. Any help appreciated Bill Welsch S/V Renewal
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Michael Bell
Port hoods
I found some “port hoods” in the BoatUS catalog. They look like a sun shade for the port window, but keeps the rain out also. Go to the online store at boatus.com and search for part number 124339, 124340 or 124341. They work great. Beyond that, there are all sorts of venting devices, powered or un-powered for hatches. You could build a rain cover of some sorts to cover the cabin entrance. Hope this helps.
I found some “port hoods” in the BoatUS catalog. They look like a sun shade for the port window, but keeps the rain out also. Go to the online store at boatus.com and search for part number 124339, 124340 or 124341. They work great. Beyond that, there are all sorts of venting devices, powered or un-powered for hatches. You could build a rain cover of some sorts to cover the cabin entrance. Hope this helps.
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Jon Bastien
A tarp over the boom...
...worked well on our H23. The tarp has to be properly sized, though- We used an 8' by 10', and put it on sideways (8' fore-and-aft, 10' side-to-side). It covered the companionway and most of the cockpit- allowing us to leave the hatch boards out and the sea hood about half-way open. Combine this with a small fan to keep the air moving, and we stayed pretty comfortable in our little boat during those mid-August thunderstorms that pop up in north Florida. On the H25, we use the same tarp, but it covers the bimini tops and allows us to move around the cockpit a little more easily. Good luck! --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
...worked well on our H23. The tarp has to be properly sized, though- We used an 8' by 10', and put it on sideways (8' fore-and-aft, 10' side-to-side). It covered the companionway and most of the cockpit- allowing us to leave the hatch boards out and the sea hood about half-way open. Combine this with a small fan to keep the air moving, and we stayed pretty comfortable in our little boat during those mid-August thunderstorms that pop up in north Florida. On the H25, we use the same tarp, but it covers the bimini tops and allows us to move around the cockpit a little more easily. Good luck! --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio'
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Frank
Two tarps
You can use a second smaller tarp over your forward hatch as well. Keeping the front hatch slightly open will give you better air flow. Tie this tarp so it is only a few inches above the hatch.
You can use a second smaller tarp over your forward hatch as well. Keeping the front hatch slightly open will give you better air flow. Tie this tarp so it is only a few inches above the hatch.
Tarps
An 8 x 12 tarp stretched lengthwise over the boom covers my H23 from mast to transom, including the bimini. A 6 x 8 tarp suspended by the middle using the jib halyard (a small smooth rock tied around underneath with light line creates the lifting point) and bungees at the 4 corners covers the foredeck and forward hatch. The cockpit stays dry and useable, and you have decent airflow through the boat even in heavy rain. One word of advice; spend the few extra bucks and get the heavy-duty silver tarps. They will last longer, shed more rain, reflect a LOT more sunlight and look a lot less tacky than the cheap blue ones. Peter H23 "Raven"
An 8 x 12 tarp stretched lengthwise over the boom covers my H23 from mast to transom, including the bimini. A 6 x 8 tarp suspended by the middle using the jib halyard (a small smooth rock tied around underneath with light line creates the lifting point) and bungees at the 4 corners covers the foredeck and forward hatch. The cockpit stays dry and useable, and you have decent airflow through the boat even in heavy rain. One word of advice; spend the few extra bucks and get the heavy-duty silver tarps. They will last longer, shed more rain, reflect a LOT more sunlight and look a lot less tacky than the cheap blue ones. Peter H23 "Raven"
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BART FORD
ventilation
I have taken 2 vinyl interior shutters available from Lowe's, added 2 side boards made from oak. the shutters are the kind that people put on the inside of the house. I used vinyl but wood would probally work. Pinned them to the track for the hatchboards that can be removed either inthe morning or after the rain. I have screen on the inside to keep the bugs out.
I have taken 2 vinyl interior shutters available from Lowe's, added 2 side boards made from oak. the shutters are the kind that people put on the inside of the house. I used vinyl but wood would probally work. Pinned them to the track for the hatchboards that can be removed either inthe morning or after the rain. I have screen on the inside to keep the bugs out.
Haven't you seen the Hatch Umbrella?
Haven't you guys seen the Hatch Umbrella in the HOW store. They are listed under Deck stuff. I think that they are about $50. Seems like a good deal if you are sweating your a-- off.
Haven't you guys seen the Hatch Umbrella in the HOW store. They are listed under Deck stuff. I think that they are about $50. Seems like a good deal if you are sweating your a-- off.
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