how to keep dry and let in air?

[HoffaLives]

trying to keep comfortable temps aboard has proven a challenge, not to mention humidity levels. we went from below freezing and snow this weekend to 14 degrees and pouring rain. the problem is keeping air moving down below and letting fresh air in. we try cracking hatches, but of course that lets in the rain. it gets too stuffy if we don't, especially with these warm temps right now. i'm wondering if there's isn't something we can get to cover the hatches over the salon and the v-berth -something that won't diminish light or visibility but keeps the rain off so we can open them.

i thought about stretching heavy clear poly from the lifelines, but that means even more hassling when we want to cast off, plus it's very windy here in the winter and i imagine it would make a racket flogging in the wind. is there anything made for this? what have other people done? we need more than a solar powered vent.

[TrueBlue]

Your ports don't open? How about dorades - got any of these onboard?

[sailingdog]

Nicro vents move a fair amount of air and don't let water in. Having two or three of them would probably do a fair bit to help. Of course, you being a mouth breather, are letting a lot of moisture into the boat...

[Valiente]

It's no wonder you write like a depressive, Hoffa. You're sitting in a plastic laundry bin filled with sweaty socks.

"The Warm, Dry Boat".

http://www.livingaboard.com/closeup....catid=4&pcid=2

I wouldn't consider living aboard in the winter without both positive (fans, Nicros) and passive (Dorades, mushroom vents) ventilation and a source of flaming heat. The point of the source of flaming heat is only partly to physically warm the boat. The main reason is to draw wet, cool air on the point of condensation into the firebox and out of the boat via the chimney. Fresh air is exchanged, but the boat stays dry because it never gets wet.

With the snow and now rain the Wet Coast is getting, it must be effing miserable and dank aboard, with moldy beddings and snot everywhere. Get drilling.

[HoffaLives]

two dorades but don't really let in a lot of air. and lots of portlights, but they slant in and let in lots of water. and SD, the only reason I mouth breathe is because i get lots of sex. remember that stuff, waaaay back when

[labatt]

Originally Posted by Valiente

...and a source of flaming heat.

Don't let CD convince you to move your BBQ indoors...

[HoffaLives]

Originally Posted by Valiente

It's no wonder you write like a depressive, Hoffa. You're sitting in a plastic laundry bin filled with sweaty socks.

"The Warm, Dry Boat".

http://www.livingaboard.com/closeup....catid=4&pcid=2

I wouldn't consider living aboard in the winter without both positive (fans, Nicros) and passive (Dorades, mushroom vents) ventilation and a source of flaming heat. The point of the source of flaming heat is only partly to physically warm the boat. The main reason is to draw wet, cool air on the point of condensation into the firebox and out of the boat via the chimney. Fresh air is exchanged, but the boat stays dry because it never gets wet.

With the snow and now rain the Wet Coast is getting, it must be effing miserable and dank aboard, with moldy beddings and snot everywhere. Get drilling.

actually i got spending and bought the book listed above. thanks for the tip. and actually the boat is quite bright and comfy, just damned humid and the edges of the bed are damp where they touch the hull. the portlights are metal so sometimes they drip condensation.

[Boasun]

Damp and humid because your vessel isn't insulated enough, nor enough ventilation either. That cold hull condenses the moisture in the air and you end up with a rain forest whether you want one or not.

[KeelHaulin]

We have the same issue; no room on deck for dorades; Nicro vents tend to let water in when sailing (splashes and water on deck can get past the baffle). I open the ports when it is not rainy and use a WM heater to prevent condensation in the winter. Still; would like a more effective way to keep the boat ventilated; and be able to close the vents when underway. Mushroom vents? Let us know what you find Hoffa!

[sailingdog]

Keelhaulin-

I have two 4" Nicro solar vents on my boat and find that water on deck, splashes and spray haven't gotten in... a lot of it depends on where you have the vents mounted. Mine are both aft of the mast, one is about a foot aft of the mast, and the other is by the companionway, under the dodger.