How to make rain shields for my round ports ; or where to buy a port sill ?

[hockeyfool]

I'm looking for a solution for my round port windows on the cp 23, when it rains the water just collects and sits in the port - between the outer and inner cabin wall, I'd like to see if I can buy a window sill frame of sorts, to shield the rain from pooling in the port frame.
Any ideas here , does something to fit over/around port exist evevn ?

[Craig Weis]

rain? Dog 'em down. I just wait for the water to evaporate.
Some guys use a wick to soak up the water...

Extra long port holes that to stick out on the XL cabin liners and when walking on the deck become 'kimono' catchers.

Craig Weis.

[Billy]

Salty posted a while back about using PVC elbows. I did the same thing and they worked great. Check out the search. Or maybe he will chime in.

[Vipersdad]

Salty posted a while back about using PVC elbows. I did the same thing and they worked great. Check out the search. Or maybe he will chime in.

Here is Salty's solution with a screen, I believe a 4" elbow is a press fit.

[Salty19]

Yep, these work well and can be mounted all season with ports open.   One thing I would suggest adding is the flexible, stretchy, stick-to-itsself type rigging tape around the area where metal meets PVC to act as a seal. 

Added the tape this year and not a single drop of water has dripped past whereas the past couple of years without the tape a little minor dripping would occur.

They are not very attractive but get the job done, cabin is cooler, less humid, and less "boat stink". 

I bought two of the four factory screens (for a CP19), so only two of the PVC elbows have the ugly tape with screens at the end.  You could dress them a bit with some matching sunbrella scrap or some other more attractive way to secure the screen (to keep bugs out).  Two are just bare.

I think they were 3" PVC elbows with a 4" outer lip that would slide inside with just a teeny bit of sanding to the PVC. Check your measurements as these were used on a CP19.  I just brought my measuring tape to Home Depot and chose them with that in mind.

To skips points, they do stick out and on occasion create a small hazard when stepping near the toe rail, so the solution is not ideal.   Also they will try to catch the shrouds when raising the mast, but don't catch the jib sheets. I think the shrouds keeps the sheet away enough to prevent that.

[K3v1n]

That looks very interesting. I'll have to get a couple to try them out. Not so much worried about water but they would come in handy if you want to funnel air into the cabin.

[HeaveToo]

For some reason I never open my opening ports.  I feel that it probably tampers with the breeze that I get in my front hatch.  You get most of the breeze from the front hatch when you are anchored so my boat acts like a wind tunnel and the breeze goes in the front hatch and goes out the companion way. 

So the question is, then, what do you do when it rains.  The solution for this is much easier and it works great.  Get a hatch tent or make one.  I was lucky because my previous owner had a front hatch tent and it works well.  I made one for my last boat.

Here is my hatch tent: 

You get a lot more ventilation from this than you do the opening port.  Keeping the cabin dry and ventilated is great.

[BruceW]

I got the elbows, but they seem too big. Maybe I got the wrong size, or maybe I need to sand a bit. I'll try measuring and comparing at HD/Lowes first, then try making them fit. I think I'd really like this idea for it's stated purpose, but also to leave the boat more open while I am not there. I got some mold in the boat between winter and spring due perhaps to wetter spring time and not enough ventilation.

At anchor, I have a windscoop that seems to work pretty well.

[HeaveToo]

Windscoops are great, but they don't keep the rain out.  The rain fly that I have does keep the rain out.  It may block some wind but I only use it when it is going to rain.

[BruceW]

I have no idea why I posted that comment. You are correct. I have the windscoop for wind, and a tarp over the front hatch for rain. I have seen a couple of people have a tarp that the halyard can clip to in the middle, and then you put the corners on the pulpit, etc, to spread it out. I think you could angle this to go around the hatch cover, and function as both a rain and wind device.

[Salty19]

Here is a better view of the port vents from the bow. I like them, definitely keep the boat cooler and fresher.Note there is not sealing tape in this pics.  I would suggest the self-stick tape I mentioned earlier.  We've had some bad storms and no water came in.



I also put two 9"X5"  louver vents in the companionway hatch to allow the air a place to escape.

[Craig Weis]

One thing I would suggest adding is the flexible, stretchy, stick-to-its self type rigging tape around the area where metal meets PVC to act as a seal. 

At the Chicago All Sail Boat Show a vendor was selling ' Recuse Tape'  Sticks to it's self and works great. Just what you need. A silicone stretchy tape. I have two rolls in the ship's tool bag.  BTY, a Devilbiss Medical bag makes a great ship's tool bag. 

Craig weis