Solar Vent Installation

[PrudenceCP23]

I am wanting to add a solar vent to my CP23/2. Does anyone have one on the forward hatch? If so do you have any tips for mounting it? I am concerned about the hatch cover being curved instead of flat and thus making the mounting/bedding difficult.

Thanks for any advice!

[rmotley]

Nicro Day-Night 2000 solar vent  - 2 models / 3" or 4" diameter - they are proud of them - Available at West Marine or multiple internet sites. We have a 4" installed forward of the hatch just aft of the anchor hawse pipe in our 23 - Yes, drill a 3" or 4" hole in a boat to install -  No leaks / No issues - I could see an offshore heavy seas leakage problem with waves crashing over the bow - but that is for the movies.

We have seen no evidence of leakage from Rain & Wind or hosing off the deck during clean ups - these units can be removed easily and plugged if anyone does choose to take on the crashing waves above.

[BruceW]

I've got a plugged hole up front also; it leaked at first, but I wrapped teflon tape around the grooves and it's fine now. I think it was just for a scoop, but I would love one of those vent fan deals there in the future.

I haven't mounted my deckpipe yet, because I just can't decide where to put the hole; don't want to mess that up.

[HeaveToo]

I have a solar vent on the foredeck as well.  It hasn't leaked yet but I haven't gone bows down into the waves yet.

As far as a deck pipe for your anchor rode, make sure you install it so it goes into the area designed as a chain locker.  The Previous Owner put a bucket in that area under the deckpipe to hold the rode.  It is better for cleaning stuff up.

Get a deckpipe big enough to accommodate a good size rode and chain.  My set-up is a 22 pound Lewmar claw with 30' of 1/4" chain and 100 feet of rope.  Eventually I will be replacing the rope section as the anchor and chain are brand new and there is some rust on the anchor rode in the area of the metal thimble.  I also have markers every 30' on the rope rode.

[BruceW]

Good points. I had a deckpipe on my Suncat, put in by the dealer, which was too small for the chain. I kept the chain on deck in a pvc pipe. I learned that lesson, and have a nice big one. I like the bucket idea also. I have a photo of another 23 with deckpipe, and will copy its location, having already verified the line goes where it's supposed to go.

I may check the defender sale for the Nicra

[PrudenceCP23]

I do have a vent on my foredeck with a computer fan powering it.  Works fine and never more than an occasional drip, even though I'm hosing the deck down, getting wave splash on deck, or there's a downpour.  What I want to do however is add a solar vent to the hatch in front of the mast to increase the airflow in the cabin.  I'm not sure about doing this however due to the curve of the hatch and the non-skid.  I just want to make sure that it is a doable thing before I cut that 4 inch hole  :-)  Does anyone have one of these vents successfully mounted there, or should I look for another location?
Thanks!

PS  I like the bucket idea for the anchor rode, I'll give that a try :-)

[lochinvar]

Had a plugged hole that leaked in the front deck. Installed a solar powered 4" SS fan. Ya, it cost me, but I never had it leak. You can actually push up a tube and it will plug it up for rough-sea sailing.
Installed a separate hawse pipe for the anchor-chain/nylon rode. I have a Lewmar claw on my 3-foot teak bowsprit.

[BruceW]

Prudence,

I see other boats with the vent on the hatch, but haven't seen a Com-pac with one. Next chance I get, I'll look at one of the boats and see if it is a curved surface. Also, you might ask a Com-pac dealer about it. I didn't understand the question at first, but I see why you'd want to know before you cut!

The Sailboat Company has a great website where you can ask questions etc. www.ipass.net/sailboat. Keith Scott runs it, and his contact info is on the site somewhere.

Bruce

[Tim Gardner]

My 19 Has the vent in the hatch as you can see here:

[HeaveToo]

I am trying to find some picks of my foredeck area.  One day after I clean everything up I need to shoot a bunch of pictures and add them on here for record.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm199/HeaveToo/Compac23withdingy_zps02fad2d6.jpg

This pic is on the trailer.  You will see the 22lb Lewmar claw up there.  The anchor is oversized, slightly, but it works well if you get a storm. 

I need to upgrade my deck pipe because the top broke on mine.  I think that I will take previous advise and use an oval one.

The solar vent is nice.  It keeps air moving inside of the boat and helps prevent mildew.  I needed one on my previous boat but I never installed one.  I highly suggest this addition because air movement is crucial inside of the boat when it is shut up and not being used.

What size pipe to you put in the solar vent to keep it from leaking in heavy seas?  I really need to have one of these on hand because I know what the Chesapeake Bay can do.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm199/HeaveToo/Compac23_zps7d6cf4f4.jpg
If you zoom in you can see the original location of my deck pipe.  The anchor on the bow sprit is an 18 lb Lewmar Claw (I switched this anchor out for a bigger one). 

[HeaveToo]

http://s296.photobucket.com/user/HeaveToo/media/2014%20Solomons%20Island%20Trip/016_zpsa90b572f.jpg.html?sort=3&o=13

This is a pretty good foredeck shot.  You can see the solar vent and the deck pipe.

[Bob23]

Here's how I did it: I mounted my Nicro solar exhaust vent on the sliding hatch with a case of PVC board scribed to the contour of the hatch. I originally used wood but got tired of varnishing it so now it's painted with Brightsides Bristol Beige.

Bob23

[PrudenceCP23]

Thanks Bob, that looks like a possible solution.  Here are photos to show my boat's front deck.  Notice the vent on the front deck, I've got a computer fan mounted just below it.  You can also see the curve of the forward hatch which is where I want to mount the Nicro solar vent.

and

[Bob23]

I have a dorade box with a cowl vent on the foredeck. It's never leaked a drop into the boat. I looks bulky but it really isn't.

I love your wooden toerail!
Bob23
For my vent mounting box, I just made the box and scribed it onto the curve so it was level.

[Andy]

Prudence--

Sorry, can't advise on the solar mount but what a gorgeous boat! Would definitely use yours as a model as to what I would like mine to look like someday.
Did you do the toe rails? And the bow rails  look very unique, were they custom made or are they available that way? Did you do anything with the interior?
Don"t know if this is considered "hijacking the thread" but had to jump in there!