Lewmar hatch - vent - open in rain?

[ylop]

When we got back from the boat tonight we realised that we have left the forward hatch on its “vent” position rather than closed. Won’t be back at the boat for two week. How worried would you be? Enough to make a 3h round trip on a dark November evening?

 

[johnalison]

Mine are fine except in a downpour, when some spray gets in, but it shouldn’t be fatal.

 

[Kelpie]

I used to leave all my Lewmar hatches on vent for six months with the boat unattended in Stornoway. Never had a problem.

 

[savageseadog]

Ours are always left on vent and always ok but they are "Ocean" spec. Low profile might not be as good.

 

[colind3782]

Our's are always on "vent", even throughout the winter. The odd splash that might get through is nothing compared to the mould that would result from no ventilation.

 

[johnalison]

Our's are always on "vent", even throughout the winter. The odd splash that might get through is nothing compared to the mould that would result from no ventilation.

Doesn't work with a dehumidifier.

 

[Paulfireblade]

Our Lewmar hatches on 20 year old Jeanneau drip on vent setting when it rains so always close ours.

Sounds like different hatches are different so pot luck, I was lucky enough to find this out when I got dripped on and closed it. Volume of water unlikely to be fatal as said but could have a very damp mattress if yours is like mine.

Not worth a late night trip but could justify a welcome but extra unplanned trip for a day or so.

Paul

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I leave mine on vent always, when not aboard and the boat is in her marina berth. Even though she is normally berthed with the bow facing south, more or less into the prevailing wind, i never get more than a few drops on the V-berth. The cushions are usually left standing on their edges and are water-resistant anyhow, the boat having formerly been a sailing school vessel.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I leave my two Lewmar hatches on vent and never had a problem. The central Pasport hatch I never leave in a vent position as its not possible.

 

[ithet]

Lots of suggestions that it is not a problem. But it depends on the model of Lewmar hatch. My previous Lewmar Oceans (with deep frames) were always left on vent and no water would get in even during storm conditions. My current boat has Lewmar Low Profile, and these have to be left shut to be Shure of keeping out rain

 

[colind3782]

Doesn't work with a dehumidifier.

Just as well I don't have a dehumidifier then

 

[ylop]

Lots of suggestions that it is not a problem. But it depends on the model of Lewmar hatch. My previous Lewmar Oceans (with deep frames) were always left on vent and no water would get in even during storm conditions. My current boat has Lewmar Low Profile, and these have to be left shut to be Shure of keeping out rain

I *think* they are Lewmar mid profiles. Fortunately I moved the mattresses anyway so if it is going to leak I think it will be onto varnished wood and that will drain probably onto the kedge anchor so I hope not too serious.

 

[Frogmogman]

Doesn't work with a dehumidifier.

I was wondering about that. I left my boat with the vents open at the end of September. I haven’t been able to get down there since because of boring stuff like work, but I’ll be taking a small dehumidifier down to the boat when I go later this month. I’ll close the vents when I switch it on then !

I’m thinking of putting the dehumidifier on a timer, so that it’s not runnning constantly; maybe have it on for 6 hours on, six hours off ? Anyone have any theories ?

I’ll also let you chaps know if the vents have let water in in the 6 weeks they’ll have been open (they are those flush hatches).

 

[johnalison]

I was wondering about that. I left my boat with the vents open at the end of September. I haven’t been able to get down there since because of boring stuff like work, but I’ll be taking a small dehumidifier down to the boat when I go later this month. I’ll close the vents when I switch it on then !

I’m thinking of putting the dehumidifier on a timer, so that it’s not runnning constantly; maybe have it on for 6 hours on, six hours off ? Anyone have any theories ?

I’ll also let you chaps know if the vents have let water in in the 6 weeks they’ll have been open (they are those flush hatches).

Not all dehumidifiers like having the power switched on and off. I used to do that with my old compressor one but I leave my desiccator one at a low setting instead and shut off all ventilation as much as possible.

 

[Stemar]

Not all dehumidifiers like having the power switched on and off. I used to do that with my old compressor one but I leave my desiccator one at a low setting instead and shut off all ventilation as much as possible.

Good plan. The desiccator types have a shutdown cycle to run through. Better to leave it on a low setting - and make the boat as draught-proof as possible so you aren't trying to dry out the whole atmosphere!

 

[johnalison]

Good plan. The desiccator types have a shutdown cycle to run through. Better to leave it on a low setting - and make the boat as draught-proof as possible so you aren't trying to dry out the whole atmosphere!

A FB thread on the HR owners' site showed that almost all of us use socks to seal the ventilators. We know how to live.

 

[Frogmogman]

Not all dehumidifiers like having the power switched on and off. I used to do that with my old compressor one but I leave my desiccator one at a low setting instead and shut off all ventilation as much as possible.

Mine is a compressor one, so I’ll suck it and see

 

[johnalison]

Mine is a compressor one, so I’ll suck it and see

Should be fine I would think. I used to have mine working at night so that the modest heat from it would do something to warm the interior.