Solar Vent Fan - Where to Put It?

montenido · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2010

Hi all,

I am going to install a solar vent fan in my new-to-me C36. I put one in my C30 and it really did wonders for the freshness of the cabin. With the 30 it was easy because I just replaced a dorade with the fan. Same size. It was over the vee-berth.

With my C36 I will have to make a new hole. Therefore I have options about where to put it. Any suggestions? (I know what you are thinking about where I should put it!

).

I do have two dorades on the cabin top near the companionway, so I am leaning towards somewhere over the vee-berth.

Any help would be appreciated greatly, as I only want to make one hole.

Thanks, Bill

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

If you've already got two dorades near the companionway, I'd put the solar vent near the mast—either a bit forward or a bit aft, depending on the cabin top layout, and set the fan to exhaust...that way air can come in the dorades, and out the solar vent fan. I wouldn't put it as far forward as the v-berth, since, if you have the v-berth closed off, it'll reduce the utility of the solar vent fan.

CatalinaRob · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

I agree with sailingdog. I would put it just off and aft of the mast-area.

SVAuspicious · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

I have a mushroom vent over the v-berth and I don't like it. I worry every time water comes across the cabin top. I have yet to see a mushroom (and the solar vent is just a specialized mushroom) or even a dorade that can't be overwhelmed with enough water. You're more likely to have lots of water forward than aft.

My thought is to put your solar vent as far aft as you can and run one or two fans below to circulate air. A small solar panel should be able to keep up with a couple of fans.

bakerha51 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Bill: I also have a (new to me)C36 and have the solar vent in the head overhead hatch. It does get a little water when things get rough and it just goes to the shower bilge. I would worry about it if it were over the V-berth. And it vents the head! We leave the door cracked when at dock or mooring so it can draw air from the saloon. (I just discovered that ours has a sliding vent control as well to close things off when it's rough or cool.) My thought was that the Hatch lid can be replaced cheaper than glassing a hole if you decide to change location.
Hal

cmendoza · #6 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Bill,

While I tend to agree with the general consensus above (stay aft), I'd suggest that it depends on how you use your boat. For years I too had a solar vent / fan on my C30 over the V-berth and loved it... never had a problem. On our first long trip south, taking water over the bow, the V-Berth was soaked!

So, if you mostly do day sails in reasonably calm waters - go ahead and put it in the V-berth... it makes a huge difference.

If, however, you plan on doing any extended trips where you might run into even slightly rough weather - don't... it makes a huge difference ;-)

Carlos & Maria
S/V Rocinante

LookingForCruiser · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

One??? I installed five...

I've got a catamaran, and they're in the cabin roof, so way above deck level. It'd have to be pretty nasty before water came in. I'm curious though, how well do they keep water out when they are closed from the inside?

SVAuspicious · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by LookingForCruiser

I'm curious though, how well do they keep water out when they are closed from the inside?

Not particularly well.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

The newer ones are supposed to be a bit better, but the older ones didn't do a very good job when they were "closed". Nicro did make a model that installed into a metal deckplate, and had a screw-in bronze plate to close off the opening for really bad weather, but it required unscrewing the vent and screwing in the deckplate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LookingForCruiser

One??? I installed five...

I've got a catamaran, and they're in the cabin roof, so way above deck level. It'd have to be pretty nasty before water came in. I'm curious though, how well do they keep water out when they are closed from the inside?

montenido · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2010

Thanks everybody for all the great suggestions. I like the idea of keeping it away from green water, although I never found any water intrusion on my 30, and yes, I did take water over the bow frequently.

If I install it in the hatch in the head, is it hard to drill plexi? Any special precautions to prevent cracks? I like that idea. Also, as stated earlier, easier to fix than a 4" hole in the deck.

Thanks, Bill