Air Vents

[Sandgrounder]

I have just bought a new (to me anyway) boat which has an alarming lack of vents and some condensation issues. I don't know whether I will go for dorade or mushroom vents but I do know I will have to fit a couple at least. They will have to go through the coachroof because the forehatch is a curved GRP fitting.

How difficult are they to fit well?

Simon

 

[David2452]

I have just bought a new (to me anyway) boat which has an alarming lack of vents and some condensation issues. I don't know whether I will go for dorade or mushroom vents but I do know I will have to fit a couple at least. They will have to go through the coachroof because the forehatch is a curved GRP fitting.

How difficult are they to fit well?

Simon

Not so difficult to make a nice job especially if you choose some with decent internal trims and take care, use the right holesaw and carefuly trim the headlining.

 

[rob2]

Against an average DIY background this should be quite simple, although it gets complicated if the deck is cored. Assuming a plain GRP coachroof, drilling the hole with a tank cutter and screwing on the vent is not complicated. As an aside, you'll get many conflicting words of advice as to which selant to use - my own preference is butyl tape as used on caravans. The more difficult bit is cutting a neat hole in the right place on the headlining , although many vents come with a trim to fit under this, so that may provide a bit of room for error. In fact, that could be the deciding factor in chosing a vent with a neat internal trim that will finish it off nicely.

Rob.

 

[Malish]

The mushroom vents as supplied by Vetus and ? others will be deformed if stood on whilst open (deformation between the mushroom and the opening/closing thread). I would strongly steer you towards spending a little more and getting a dorade fitting (again Vetus do one to fit around their mushroom vent), the only down side being that they can attract sheets at inconvenient moments.

 

[Seajet]

Tannoy vents by E.C.Smith are a good bet, low profile so they don't snag sheets etc and can be stood on, they also admit light.

Make sure you pay a little extra ang get the type you can shut off from below; I've never had salt water in through mine but it's reassuring knowing I can prevent any chance in heavy weather.