Would you fit a Solar Vent to a Forehatch ?

Refueler

Refueler

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My fore hatch is a solid affair without clear section. It hinges to open if air flow wanted.

I have a Solar Vent sitting on the bench that I can fit to the hatch ... but trying to decide if its a good idea ...

Looks like this :

SSS2241_400.jpg


My hatch :

Rv6yPQgm.jpg


?????
 
Will it fit between the strengthening ribs on the hatch? For the tiny airflow, weakening the hatch, and the extra source of drips, it is not worth the bother in my opinion.
 
For a forehatch, only if you can close the vent. Some have this facility, but I doubt that's the case with solar or other powered vents. Most low profile vents are designed to drain away rain or light spray, but get a solid slosh of water, as you may well do over the bow, and water will likely get below.

I am sceptical about the value of solar vents. I've not used one myself, but knowing you can get good ventilation with enough passive vents, and hearing tales (including on this forum) of some of them making an irritating noise and/or failing after short period. If in extreme circumstances forced ventilation required you'd probably want something more powerful than a solar vent, and at a time of your choosing, not just when the sun happens to be shining on the vent.

Unfortunately, a fore hatch is rarely a good place to put a higher profile vent such as a dorado type - it catches ropes and will usually interfere with folding the hatch fully open.

I'm sure there'll be a more suitable location on your boat to put your solar vent to use it if you want to. For your fore hatch you might want to just insert a transparent or translucent panel, or splash out and get a more suitable, draining passive and closable vent for the fore hatch.
 
As others have suggested, I'd avoid the hatch cover.
I have had really good results with solar vents cutting down condensation in berths on previous boats, and have got one to fit to my new boat next week, but somewhere high up that is less exposed.
 
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ashtead said:
Buy a dehumidifier if worried about damp -one of the best investments we made .
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Yes, provided you have mains available. The chemical ones seem pretty useless. Also, fix the leaks first. Drying to dry a boat with leaky windows is a disheartening experience.

On our Snapdragon, we had a similar forehatch with a very dubious seal. Since there was a good upstand that would keep rain out and we never got water over the bow, even in far worse weather than we wanted to be out in, I removed the seal, which allowed for a fair bit of ventilation. When not at sea, we'd block it open an inch, which gave a good airflow, while still keeping the rain out. Do make sure it's well tied down, though. I forgot once, and the wind blew the hatch open, and our bedding got soaked!
 
I have no problem with 'humidity' etc.
I have mains electric always available - boat sits at bottom of my garden in my own channel of the river.

Just thought it might be nice to have airflow .... (while moored - I usually have the fore-hatch cracked open a touch and main access hatchway allowing air in ...

The SunVent has an ON - OFF switch ... has also a blanking plate to close of the inner vent part.

Its back in the box !
 
Refueler said:
I have no problem with 'humidity' etc.
I have mains electric always available - boat sits at bottom of my garden in my own channel of the river.

Just thought it might be nice to have airflow .... (while moored - I usually have the fore-hatch cracked open a touch and main access hatchway allowing air in ...

The SunVent has an ON - OFF switch ... has also a blanking plate to close of the inner vent part.

Its back in the box !
Click to expand...
My last boat had a sunvent with the rechargeable battery, it was still going strong after 12 years. Kept the condensation down overnight in winter and the heat out in summer. In the middle of winter it wouldn't charge enough in the short days to run throughout the long nights though., but it still kept the condensation at bay between visits.
 
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I bought a solar vent tp install over the toilet/shower but I'm having second thoughts about fitting it. How long would it las running 10(?) hour/day.

I wouldn't be worried about it leaking water if the decks were awash as I have fitted a round inspection hatch under the solar vent.
36750_36758__74959.1575155044.1280.1280.jpg
 
Dellquay13 said:
My last boat had a sunvent with the rechargeable battery, it was still going strong after 12 years. Kept the condensation down overnight in winter and the heat out in summer. In the middle of winter it wouldn't charge enough in the short days to run throughout the long nights though., but it still kept the condensation at bay between visits.
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Where was the Sunvent mounted on the boat ?
 
Shame .. its a good unit and tested out on the bench - had a good draw / flow of air .... OK - its a brushed motor so - its not most efficient ...

But the consensus here indicates not to fit. That's ok - as I have another boat that only does river trips .... will fit there.

Back to the hatch itself ... would be nice to have some light let in through a clear section ...

Hatch is like most early boats - hinges at rear, so if open and you catch a greeny - its open door !! I do not agree with those who say should be swapped round to hinge at front - then you lose the 'air scoop' effect. Maybe to fit an opening round portlight into the hatch ... hinged at front. So hatch stays rear hinged to have max 'air scoop', but portlight open other way to be less risk.
 
I have seen vents on hatches, but maybe not on the foredeck. It would have to be very resistant to letting water in to be worthwhile in such an exposed place, though I would be less concerned about the strength of the hatch which looks more than adequate for a fairly small hole, assuming that this would be nothing like the size of the vent. The solar vent we had, many years ago, worked well for a few years but got gunged up with airborne muck and packed up.
 
Dellquay13 said:
It was on the coach roof of a Shetland Family Four motorboat
Click to expand...

Family4 .... that's a boat I want out here for the river .....

Coach-roof .... yep .. that's where I am now planning to fit on my Cormoran :

cGmQwes.jpg


Take out the conventional vent - that just catches jib sheets every time.

Sails like a dog !! makes nearly as much leeway as fwds ! Has twin lifting dagger plates .... 20cm draft up, 1.2m draft down ... but with a Johnson 4.5 on back end - she is fine
 
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