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I want to add more ventilation to the aft bunk below of the cockpit, can t decide the best way to do it wouthout getting into gas fumes from the fuel tanks under cockpit seats or compromising sea worthyness. talked to a fellow with an x that had installed opening ports beneath the rub rail, and he had no problem goling to dry torgugas accross open ocean, but there must be a better way? saw the post on openings in the black fake windows up front in the mods section, but am also looking for a solution for the aft bunk, any ideas?

Personally, I don't think that opening portlights below the rub rail are a good idea. But then, some folks don't think that driving on the highway is safe. you might want to read this entire topic, as it has food for thought:

Capsized My 26X

~Rich

With: Proper use an installation , as numerous folks said , even in that thread, Ports below the rub rail are not an issue..

We considered putting some portholes into the cockpit. Someone here has done it, and a nice n fairly simple job too. Ok, not much of a view, but you'll see this setup on many larger boats.

restless wrote:We considered putting some portholes into the cockpit. Someone here has done it, and a nice n fairly simple job too. Ok, not much of a view, but you'll see this setup on many larger boats.

We had an opening porthole in the quarterberth on our Hunter. To be honest, I don't think it did anything for ventilation. I'd stick with efficient fans.

--Russ

This thread has been discussed in detail before, but since it has been awhile, it can't hurt to rehash

We installed opening ports in our 2005 They are located just aft of both port and starboard windows. This places them just above the opening of the aft bunk. With the forward hatch open, there is air flow both left, right, and front to back. Without a breeze, there is no flow, but, the heat does not build up to unbearable. I keep thinking about instaling a Micro solar vent in the plexi overhead window in the head. Maybe this year

Ray



You can see the starboard port behind the black stripe.

But your portlights are above the rub rail, Ray. When mounted below, they are much more likely to be under water, when heeling. I don't disagree that it can be done, but I would never do it my my X. Personal preference.

~Rich

I agree. I guess I should have explained more.

The placement of the ports places them almost over the head of whomever is sleeping in the aft bunk. Cooler air falls near where your head is.

As to heeling, I keep the ports closed when sailing. At least I try to remember to do that. There have been some close calls I told the Admiral that there is a nautical term for when water comes in the open ports..............SINKING If the ports were below the rub rail, I just would not do that. There is too much flexing in the hull. Much more than what occurs above the rub rail

Ray

I just would not do that.

Double Ditto.
The hull is structure and no way would I want portlites below the rubrail especially in open sea.
The ventilation for sleeping situation is a big reason why I chose a used X. It has that nice "big" forward V berth.
Go with some nice fans.
The best bed in the house really is the table though, amidships. Both both benefit from cross ventilation between the forward hatch to the cockpit hatch.
Anchored you get natural airflow, I usually have to barely crack the forward hatch open.
Fans, sure. If you absolutely had to, portlites in the cockpit. But there again if a large following wave crashes the stern that water is now belowdecks if the portlites are open.
Fans are good. Did I mention fans?

I have to tell you that I have no regrets with the ports. They create good cross ventilation, but no matter where you locate them, they have to be shut beforre the boat is motoring or sailing.

This thread is about locating them below the rub rail, and I just would not do that.

Ray