What do you do for venting? Is it necessary?

[damoses1]

After researching quite a bit on solar vents, I don't think they are worth the time or money. I am looking for other solutions, like passive venting or even hooking up a few computer fans to the back of my vent in order to circulate the air.

I have also considered the Beckson Vent-O-Mate Ventilator (which is sold on this site) but don't think I am prepared to give up the precious deck space to do so.

What do you do for venting? How many vents does your boat have, and WHERE do you have them installed? I am thinking of putting one on my entrance. Is this a bad idea?



Please reply! All comments are welcome!

 

[Joe11688]

After researching quite a bit on solar vents, I don't think they are worth the time or money. I am looking for other solutions, like passive venting or even hooking up a few computer fans to the back of my vent in order to circulate the air.

I have also considered the Beckson Vent-O-Mate Ventilator (which is sold on this site) but don't think I am prepared to give up the precious deck space to do so.

What do you do for venting? How many vents does your boat have, and WHERE do you have them installed? I am thinking of putting one on my entrance. Is this a bad idea?



Please reply! All comments are welcome!

I don't have any vents on my O'Day 222. I never felt a need for one. I suppose that it's a good idea to install at least one for when the boat is left at the mooring on a hot day. Sometimes I leave my ice chest with food on board over night and come back the next day and go sailing. In that case, it's good to have some kind of air circulating in the cabin for other food that I keep on board all the time. With that said though, if I'm out on my boat for an overnighter on the bay I'll anchor and put my boom tarp up and open the forward hatch. This really gets the air circulating. If it's unbearably hot, I'll install a second or third tarp. One for the boom, one over the forward hatch and a smaller tarp over my stern rail and it doesn't get cooler than that. Unless of course I had an air conditioner but I draw the line on that. No TVs and no air conditioners. I listen to the radio or read a book while sprauled out on the V birth.

 

[whiskers]

I know this post is a month old, but I might add a new bit of information. My Oday 23 has a vent similar to the Beckson mounted on the forward hatch. It is sealable from the inside, but so far, we've left it open year round. It soesn't seem to take very long for any moisture inside the cabin to dry out. We never have any musty smells, even when the boat is left closed up for long periods. I think the vent has something to do with that.
Our companionway hatch also has 3 slots cut into it. I'm sure the two openings, working together, provide cross ventilation. I intend to put a louvred insert in where the 3 slots are cut, with a screen behind to keep out the bugs. It should also help keep out the wind driven rain? We do have a little problem with that right now. TicToc's stern faces west in the slip, and that's genereally the direction of the wind during heavy rains in our part of the country.
Hope these ramblings help in some way.
Mike