Vent mods. need opinions before cutting

[fouz]

I'm tired of the boat smell.

So i bought some cheap computer fans and some vent covers. I have seen this done a few different ways and just wondering if there is something I'm not thinking about.

The plan is cut 4" round hole in the windows (so i can change it back if this doesnt work), put fans on the inside, cover on the outside and seal it off with some black 4200. Ill have to paint the covers black, also some screen in between everything for bugs. I want to do this on port and starboard sides. The other two fans will be put inside somewhere (bilge maybe).



I'm all for any better ideas.
The only down side i can see is really laying the boat over and maybe some heavy sea spray getting in.
Also not too sure about the covers. Looks wise. I wouldn't mind some thing a little more pleasing on the eyes.

[bobflshmn]

I am not familiar with your Mac model as I have the D but! My last sail I noticed at about 25 degrees a good swell was enough to get the windows wet. I know yours has taller sides. If yours performs similar I would be concerned about this.

[tlgibson97]

I have a solar fan vent in the head window. I also wanted to be able to replace the window in case I didn't like the mod. I don't recall having any issues with water getting in. If it did, it would just collect in the floor of the head since there are no drains. I can't imagine it being that much.

I'm considering hardwiring the fan to the house batteries. The since the small solar on min is on the side of the boat it rarely has enough charge to work at all.

[fouz]

About the solar fan not running all the time is one reason i want to go this route. These will be running 90% of time. And if they go out they are $13 for 4 of them

[Tomfoolery]

I'm tired of the boat smell.

So was I, so I added two stern berth openable ports with screens and internal rain shields . . .



. . . and a scoop vent in the sliding hatch (that replaced a broken powered mushroom), but without a dorade since it lives under a dodger . . .



. . . plus the small rectangular vent in the head port, louvers down for rain, and an interior one on the same bolts but louvers-up to continue the wind-driven rain prevention theme, with screen between them . . .



plus a passive mushroom vent on the hatch up front, though that allows relatively little air movement. But it does seal very tightly to keep water out when things get rough.

All passive, and no more boat smell. Ever. And I have leaks I'm still trying to find.

[EZ]

Seems like vent ports on in the cockpit like Tomfoolery shows would be the way to go.

If the vents are on the windows, what can go wrong if this happens...


I believe others have put a vent fan on the forward hatch. Just another option.

[Tomfoolery]

I thought about that, but I figured if that happens, I've got a lot more to worry about than what little water is coming in through the vent.

And besides - mine is on the starboard side.

[fouz]

Tomfoolery, I didn't think about venting to the cockpit, thx. Ill have to see if it will work with my Billy box ac.
Also makes me think about venting into the gas tank compartment? but I'm afraid some fumes might find their way inside

[bobflshmn]

Tom, where did you get your port windows? That is exactly what I was wanting to do. Thanks

[Bilgemaster]

Frankly, I have sometimes wondered if some folks may have modded one or more of those fixed side windows on either side of a 26X into openable port windows to allow better cross-ventilation when docked or anchored, if not while actually sailing. As it happens, my 2001 26X has a smallish (maybe 8" x 3") sort of rectangular porthole window similar to the one shown below in the head that can be opened or screwed down tightly shut, and which has a screen facing outwards. It seems built into the existing fixed window, which runs from the head past the divider wall and forward into the cabin. Until now, I had assumed it was just a standard-issue stock factory installation, but having spent the last hour or so peering at random starboard side shots of 26Xs, I cannot seem to find another similar vent window setup for the head.



I've still got well enough on my plate just getting my new old girl into the water in Spring to be fussing around just yet with ultra-super-sexy mods like opening portholes, but since the general topic of cabin ventilation seems to have come up anyhow, what say you all? Has anybody rigged up something similar or perhaps better for the general cabin?

[Tomfoolery]

Tom, where did you get your port windows? That is exactly what I was wanting to do. Thanks

I got them as overstock items at Beckson, the manufacturer. And they happen to have bronze ones of the same size, for the same price of $40 each. Which is an absolute steal.

http://www.beckson.com/bronzeandsilver.html

I added single-louver internal rain shields, which include screens (and the shield and screen replace the original screen), since they don't stick out beyond the trim ring. Restricts the air a bit, but that doesn't matter since I leave them open and almost never close them. It doesn't take much air to knock down the boat smell and keep it fresh down there (this from my FIL, who's had small and very large boats for the last 50+ years, and he was right). And no water has ever come in through them, AFAIK.

http://www.beckson.com/irs.html

[Tomfoolery]

Has anybody rigged up something similar or perhaps better for the general cabin?

John (Highlander) has done what you want on his M, and has written it up extensively. Maybe search the Mods for his posts on ventilation.

[bobflshmn]

[quote="TomfooleryI got them as overstock items at Beckson, the manufacturer. And they happen to have bronze ones of the same size, for the same price of $40 each. Which is an absolute steal.

http://www.beckson.com/bronzeandsilver.html

http://www.beckson.com/irs.html[/quote]

Great, thank you.

[C Buchs]

[quote="TomfooleryI got them as overstock items at Beckson, the manufacturer. And they happen to have bronze ones of the same size, for the same price of $40 each. Which is an absolute steal.

http://www.beckson.com/bronzeandsilver.html

http://www.beckson.com/irs.html

Great, thank you.[/quote]

+1. Great source and great price!

Jeff

[yukonbob]

My only worry with opening windows in the cockpit would be Co and gas fumes having an easier path to get into the boat being near the cockpit sole, engine and tanks. Almost all marine solar vents include a back-flow preventer in case of being swamped by a wave. Not so sure how they do on their side in the water though