Ventilation on a 26m, how?

[Bobglas]

Taking delivery of a new 26m next week. Looks like its a warm boat, would like to put in a couple of solar vents, one for air and the other for a composter. Do they keep the rain out? Also some solutions for the hatch, windscoop? Rain? Can you install regular ports?

[Russ]

I don't have solar vents, but from what I have gathered from this forum, they don't offer much in ventilation. Might be perfect for composter if that's the direction you are going.

Personally, I've found the wind scoup

works VERY well.

Side vents might help, but they come at a cost.

[dlandersson]

I have found that a bikini-clad babe with a fan and tall iced drink works very well.

Taking delivery of a new 26m next week. Looks like its a warm boat, would like to put in a couple of solar vents, one for air and the other for a composter. Do they keep the rain out? Also some solutions for the hatch, windscoop? Rain? Can you install regular ports?

[yukonbob]

I usually just leave the front hatch and companionway open when motoring on calm water to dry the inside out from condensation. And leave the hatch open at night for cool air (we sleep in the V berth). We also have a fan hardwired on the front bulkhead, but rarely use it.

[Highlander]

Here's one of my solutions

Screened opening no bugs

nice evening veiw of the stars even when closed


J

[Bobglas]

Did that hatch support come stock?

[robbarnes1965]

When at anchor, an open hatch with a bug screen (bug busters).

For sailing, a dorade box of some kind: http://www.plastimo.com/catalogue/produ ... &ref=51638 - for example. Two of the dorades on the hatch would give good air when moving. I like mods to the hatch as it is easier to replace if you blow it Deck space is limited but I personally do not recommend the little sunforce solar vents. I can't speak of larger ones but the small solar vent's are #$#@ useless for cooling. They only place I see a use for the the solar vent - and it's, again, minimal, is venting out above the head. The porta pottie is horrible so it might help a little.

I personally find this item the best item I've seen yet for anchor but the price is stupid. If you are handy and can make one yourself however.... http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=2258 IT solves the problem of what to do if it's raining. On a recent BVI charter I tried every which way to use the provided windscoops to shelter rain but the configuration of the boat did not allow for it. A cheap way would be to tie a horizontal line from the forestay to the mast just above the open hatch and place a small fly over it as a tent to keep rain out.

[Sumner]

We bought a ...



http://cruisingsolutions.com/category/s ... ze-bandit/

...Breeze Bandit when they had them on sale for $20, but haven't tried it yet. We do love the Caframo...



...fans with the 3 speeds and timer and they pull very little electricity and move a lot of air. Home Depot...



http://www.homedepot.com/Caframo/h_d1/N ... reId=10051

...has the Caframo's without the timer and gimble mount for sale right now for $25, normal about $50. We bought 2 for the Endeavour and 2 for the Mac. We will use the gimble mount ones for the V-berths and use the $25 ones as needed around in the cabin, they work great for that.

More on how we cool here (down the page a ways) ...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... index.html

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Tomfoolery]

I personally find this item the best item I've seen yet for anchor but the price is stupid. If you are handy and can make one yourself however.... http://www.myboatsgear.com/mbg/product.asp?prodID=2258 IT solves the problem of what to do if it's raining. <snip> A cheap way would be to tie a horizontal line from the forestay to the mast just above the open hatch and place a small fly over it as a tent to keep rain out.

My boat came with one of those little square tent things you hang off a spare halyard over the forward hatch. It anchors with four lines to wherever you can anchor it to. It's just an umbrella of sorts, but it looks like it would do the job of shielding against rain with the hatch open. At anchor, with the bow pointed into the wind as it normall is, that little hatch should bring in a good breeze if the air is moving. It looks like this, though I don't know who actually made it. http://shop.ericsonowners.com/detail.htm?group=227

The dorade you linked to above is just what I was looking for. The standard scoops with dorade are just too tall for the sliding hatch on my . I have a worn out solar fan there, and since the hole is already there, something like that dorade would be just the ticket. Thanks for the link. I didn't even know Plastimo made such a unit. Now I just have to find a source for one.

Edit: Oh, and I installed a strut like this one at West Marine. I don't remember if this is exactly the one, but it looks like it at least. Holds the hatch at whatever angle I want. Got the idea from someone else here, but I don't remember who. I think it was in the Mac Mods area. Easy to install, and a great addition to the boat. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=50683

[robbarnes1965]

Cool! The hatch umbrella looks much ore reasonable.

[victrola]

Great information here folks. Thank you.

I have a 26M on order and I'll be sailing in the coastal Carolinas soon so I know that I will need bug screens. Since I don't have the boat yet I can't measure for the correct size. Does anyone know offhand what size hatch screen will best fit the 26M? There's only one companionway screen listed at West Marine so I assume it's the correct size.

Thanks!

[Bobglas]

I'm in the same boat as you! (heh heh) That is waiting for delivery. I did however order the screens recommended from Sailboat owners store. Hatch- 30x30 and companionway 48x68 .

[robbarnes1965]

Great information here folks. Thank you.

I have a 26M on order and I'll be sailing in the coastal Carolinas soon so I know that I will need bug screens. Since I don't have the boat yet I can't measure for the correct size. Does anyone know offhand what size hatch screen will best fit the 26M? There's only one companionway screen listed at West Marine so I assume it's the correct size.

Thanks!

Her is a link to a canadian source with measurements. I think you can buy the screens at many sources and marine stores. http://www.dowsar.com/feature.htm They are one of the cheaper/more reliable things I have bought for the boat over the years. They are lead lined so they stay put.

Bugbusters Companionway Insect Screen - The unique to the market companionway model ties to the handrails and drops down to the cockpit floor. No Velcro or frame needed. Allows full companionway opening permitting very easy access to and from cockpit. 100% Mil Spec nylon mesh. Stows in a heavy duty plastic carry case.
MacGregor 26M. Also fits most sailboats except brands and models listed below. 36" x 72". #723672. Only $61.99
MacGregor 26X. 40" x 77". #724077. Only $69.89
Catalina 30. 60" x 68". #726068. Only $69.89

Bugbusters Hatch Insect Screen - Installing is a cinch, just put the Bugbusters over the hatch and the generous dimensions allow the hatch to open fully from inside for maximum ventilation. 100% Mil Spec nylon mesh. Stows in a heavy duty plastic carry case. MacGregor 26M & 26X use #722525.
12" x 18". #721218. Only $36.99
18" x 22". #721822. Only $40.89
25" x 25". #722525. Only $49.69
30" x 30". #723030. Only $56.79

[victrola]

Thanks, Rob. Dowsar has great pricing, even with shipping to the States. Appreciate the information.

[robbarnes1965]

Thanks, Rob. Dowsar has great pricing, even with shipping to the States. Appreciate the information.

I never checked the pricing. I just included the link for sizing.