Ventilation free aft cabins

[Chris_Robb]

This September we chartered in Turkey - a Gibsea 364 - a well presented boat. However this and other boats we saw had a major ventilation problem in the twin aft cabins.

The problems stems from the fact that they are a cul-de-sac in ventilation terms, with no through draft. Have any of the standard AWB's solved this problem or are they all totally unusable when really hot?




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[Twister_Ken]

They often have one or more opening ports, either into the cockpit, or the hull side. Theoretically, they should be big enough to use as escape hatches if someone gets trapped in an aft cabin by something like a galley fire.

However, in hot climates, and/or when the engine has been running it can be a real sod to cool an aft cabin that's not much more than an upholstered dead-end tunnel.

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[boatless]

Things I've learned about aft cabins in hot places.

Open as many engine covers as possible as soon as you've stopped.

Some boats have access panels to the steering via the aft cabin. Sometimes this connects to the cockpit locker. In desperation I put a windscoop into the locker, and it worked quite well.

In severe conditions we put wet t shirts on, helps you get to sleep - before they dry. No smutty comments please children.

A windscoop in the main hatch can pressurise the whole boat, and does get some draught into aft cabins, forecabin still gets some too. This works best swinging at anchor. No, stop it.

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[Chris_Robb]

swingers

Of course swinging is by far the most desirable!

I am in the process of looking for a suitable boat for retirement - to be kept and sailed in Turkey - coastal only so AWB will do..... so far all inspected seem to have had little or no effort expended in the design - all have been ventilation cul-de-sacs! Why did I sell my Victory 40 ???????



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[Robin]

Chris

Actually most so called AWBs are built with sale to or use in warmer climes in mind and it is boats from the colder north that are often dark and lack adequate ventilation. The biggest customers of AWBs are charter fleets and these are mostly found where the sun shine shines and the cold noth wind doesn't blow!

A 36ft boat like the Gibsea you chartered may be a tad small realistically for 2 genuine double aft cabins but at least they will be better than a couiple of quarter berths.

On our slightly older and WAAWB the stern cabins have opening ports into the cockpit and in the hull side. There are also small overhead opening hatches and dorade ventilators onto the coachroof top. Our decks are well insulated and white in colour to help keep things cool. The main cabin has a full sized opening hatch as well as additional vents and a windsail or scoop could be rigged on this to direct air aft to the stern cabins, though this would mean leaving their doors open. Our forecabin (which is our 'owner's cabin) has the forward opening forehatch overhead, 2 dorade vents and two small opening hatches (facing opposite ways) as well. All of our hatches have roller blinds fitted as sunshields and cabin window curtains are lined with blackout material too. We have a windsail to fit the forehatch and mosquito nets to cover all openings if needed.

I believe you are considering buying a boat to keep in the sun so if it were me I would probably favour one where the forecabin would be the master cabin as this is easier to arrange with through ventilation. Other things to consider would be the addition of a bimini cover over the cockpit and even a kind of deck tent over the forward parts. We have a bimini that we can set up and keep up under sail and combined with a centre opening window on our sprayhood is known as 'the air conditioning'.

Robin


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[AlexL]

did I miss something - what is a WAAWB ?

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[Robin]

Well Above Average White Boat.

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[AlexL]

Oh, cool. I've got one of them too!, Which means, according to most laws of maths and statistics, that at least two people have got WBAWB, or lots of people have got Slightly Below AWB. Anyone care to own up? /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[Chris_Robb]

I spent 1 week in La Rochelle in a miniscule quarter berth - that was really airless and clostrophobic.

It seemed that few of the charter boats in Turkey were designed to get a through draft into the cabin. Hatches into the cockpit seem to be always at the front of the cabin, and none seem to have any hatch at the rear which would improve the situation no end.

You seem to have a good arrangement but I agree with you that the owners cabin should be in the bows.- sod the guests! We went on board a Gullet - I cannot imagine sleeping down below on them - very airless indeed. - consequently most people in them seem to sleep on deck.

Perhaps the other option then is to perfect the deck sleeping arrangements - looking up into the wonderful stary night..... Having suitable cushions for the deck.



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[Robin]

Some are in denial and have coloured gelcoats or have had a repaint./forums/images/icons/smile.gif

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[StugeronSteve]

Is an AWB still an AWB when it's blue?

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.

 

[Robin]

Most of ours was standard but the previous owners spent 6 years in the med and added the bimini, mossie nets and blackout curtains. The forecabin however seems the best option below. You could certainly sleep comfortably in our cockpit and we have been known to after a good lunch! We inherited some closed cell fitted cushions and then found some full length garden lounger cushions in Carrefour in Cherbourg for £10 each that fit nicely on top as well, they roll up like sleepimg bags for stowage.

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[Robin]

Good question, too difficult for me though, it probably needs a philosopher with a MAB to answer that/forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font size=1>Sermons from my pulpit are with tongue firmly in cheek and come with no warranty!</font size=1>

 

[Chris_Robb]

Wobley arsed AWB

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[StugeronSteve]

Anyone particular in mind?

There was a brand new Bene 57 parked outside Ancaster yesterday, awaiting its proud owners. Didn't look all that average to me.

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.

 

[Robin]

With the exception of a green hulled Debutante and a pale blue Liz 30 all of my boats have been white and none have been average, in fact each one has been a world class example of the best in design and build of it's day. Otherwise why else would it have come into my ownership? /forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

Anyone on here just bought a big blue Benny? Maybe Ancaster gave Jimi a discount!



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[jimi]

Well I've got a wee twin aft cabined 331 and each of the aft cabins have 3 opening windows and an opening door.

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[Chris_Robb]

yes - but I bet all the ports are at the front of the cabin so when you are lying down you are in dead air.

I'll just have to have air con. That will please the neighbours!

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[KevB]

Why not just turn the air con on?

Anyone for another G&T?

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[zefender]

why not sleep the other way round then?

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