Cabin window conversion to vent?

[The Islander]

We all like moving air that does not require power.

The cabin inside of my newly acquired M has very little moving air, most of the time.

Has anyone embarked on converting one or more of the side cabin windows into functional opening windows?

I think by adding an inside hinge to the top, an internal securing device at the bottom in one or two locations and a strut to hold it open, our side windows could be converted to allow for fresh air and sounds to enter.

The plexiglass can be drilled and glued. Mounting locations inside could be reinforced by 3M 5200 glue.

A few questions:

1. Could the outside seal where the window sits in its frame be enhanced to prevent leakage? Ideas?

2. Is the plexiglass thick enough to support attachments?

3. Could the boat list so far and or the boat be in a capsize condition and it not right itself and someone say, "did you leave the window open"?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Ed

[The Islander]

Another thought.

Has anyone completely removed one the the side cabin windows and replaced it with a pre manufactured, opening window that seals up tight?

I have replaced a few on Commercial trucks that serviced the sleeper area. They are about the same size and shape as the windows on a 26. Once closed they do not leak at speeds up to 100 MPH.

If you had to cut a small amount of fiberglass to make it fit, that might be the way to go.

Thoughts?

[NiceAft]

On my I have opening vents, port and starboard. I did not remove any windows.

The port one is above the sliding galley. The starboard one is directly opposite.




I have heeled in excess of 45 degrees. As long as you keep the ports closed, you do not have a problem

Highlander has similar locations for his ports. In addition, to cool below deck, he has installed cowls, port and starboard on the cabin top.
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... da5e21.jpg

[OverEasy]

Hi The Islander!

While the side vents like Nice Aft has are really nice it’s the “keep closed while sailing” aspect one needs to pay attention to!
We’ve looked at top deck cowls or Dorade boxes to improve cabin air circulation.
The advantage it they are up on the cabin roof deck away from the water and can be pointed into the breeze.

I’ve seen them on other similarly sized boats as ours and they seem to work according to nthe owners.
I’m just not sure that a 4” diameter, or even a 6” diameter, opening is gonna add all that much but some is better than none.
We currently prop the fwd hatch open an inch or two but we also have to watch out for water ingress.
The cowls or Dorade boxes help mitigate that concern to some extent.

Best Regard,
Over Easy

[NiceAft]

What Over Easy states about keeping open ports and hatches closed is absolutely true.

I ordered the ports from my dealer when we originally bought Nice Aft in 2004. In twenty years we have never had water ingress; even when we forgot to close them before being underway. That includes the time we forgot when we were heeling in excess of forty-five degrees.

Those ports are open while the boat is at anchor, on the trailer, and tied up at a slip. There is only so much they can do though. We carry a window air conditioner (it fits in the companion way) for when it gets hot,. On those days (and nights) it’s nice to have shore power, or if you have it, a portable generator.

[Russ]

Location is key.

I would not install an opening port below the gunwale. The risk of forgetting to close it too great.
Those who have installed them above seem to work well. Nevertheless, it is best to ensure they are closed while underway.

We still don't know what sank the Bayesian in Italy, but theories of open ports is suggested as a reason.

[The Islander]

Hey Guys,

Appreciate the responses.

Deck cowls with Dorade Boxes would be the way to go on the cabin top. I am thinking how I might place them on the two front windows. Since the front windows really do not produce much of a view and allow a lot of heat to penetrate through, placing the cowls there would allow the flat portion of the cabin top around the mast to be used for other uses.

Having a hinged vent on the port side above the galley area would allow for the evacuation of heat from any cooking devices operated in this area. Having one directly across on the starboard side could allow for the evacuation of heat from the center cabin area without having to open the front and companionway hatches. This would be helpful during rain events.

I am going to locate the largest vent doors which will fit in the area behind the lower strip of windows on my 26M. Yes they will be placed above the gunrale.

I will pass on my findings once I locate and acquire these.

Ed

[NiceAft]

As you are aware, heat rises. Locate higher instead of lower.

[pitchpolehobie]

I thought about this a lot and ended up taking the 80% improvement but not cutting holes into boat path and put 3 10,000mah fans to circulate air. On trips they charge during the day and run thru the entire night. If ineed more than that i may copy a version of OverEasys mod where he runs an AC unit into a hatch in the interior of the cockpit. With our tender boats and I dont trust an outside porthole. Ive actually been considering an AC unit that is in the head above the sink and pumped out thru that wall too(26x).

[OverEasy]

Hi PitchPolehobie!

On our Mac26X…. Be aware that venting through the inter shell gap like that between the interior liner and the exterior shell extends down into the cabin. There is a inner liner extends down to a sort of rolled lip along the interior which is connected to that gap in the head aft wall upper …blowing A/C exhaust air into that gap will have some of that hot air back into the cabin. It is something we looked into but found it not effective in that it allows at least a portion of the A/C exhaust back into the cabin…kinda circular air logic

For those not familiar, Our current A/C is a single pipe type that exhausts into the cockpit walkway.
The compressor cooling air is drawn from the cabin space … so yeah some portion of the cooled air is used for compressor cooling.
(I didn’t design the A/C unit but that’s how it works so yeah it’s not perfect…)
What my ideal would be a dual hose system … one hose for outside air inlet to cool the compressor and one hose venting the compressor air venting outside.
To that end I’m working up an auxiliary outside air inlet that I’ll duct to the A/C inlet screen effectively making it a dual hose system.
I’m currently looking at routing a hose through that inter shell gap to the forward bench back rest wall of the cockpit. I’d have a small covered hatch that can be propped open when the A/C is in operation. It would be a sealed inlet duct.

This is sort of a word salad…Wish I could explain this better with photo and sketches … unfortunately all that is down in SC…..

Best Regards,
Over Easy