Cabin Ventilation on a 16 Cruiser

J

jamato323

New member
C-Buoy is recommissioned and ready to cruise the waters of SW Florida. The problem is the humid/hot weather and lack of air (other than sides) at slow speeds. (Do a lot of back river exploring at slow speeds) Has anyone put an extra hatch topside to get some air to the helm underway? Or even made the windshields so they could open? Like to hear what other 16'ers have done. Design may be fine for Pacific NW but here in Fl I'm sweating. That said...I love this boat.
Many thanks.
 
C-16 in muggy SW FL needed more ventilation so I installed a Bomar 9/1/2 inch hatch in cabin top. Even at slow speeds a refreshing breeze at helm.
A fun and easy project...measure twice cut once.P5300003.jpg[/img]
 
That is AWESOME! She looks good in her new home, though I sure do miss her a lot, especially now that the weather is so warm here! I really like that hatch on the roof you installed, I thought about that but was too scared to cut and do it.
 
Paul
Nice work on the hatch. Boat looks great. I have been looking at battery operated fans. I wonder if that would provide enough air circulation?
 
Many RV's use something called a "Fantastic Fan." It is available in various models, including one that has a powered cover that senses rain and closes automatically. The three speed motor is reverseable so it can blow-in or blow-out depending on your needs.

From what I recall it works on either 110V or 12v. May be a possibility.

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
From my experience in my CD-22 and other boats, there is nothing (other than refrigeration air conditioning) that will cool you in a boat cabin better than an electric fan, especially blowing right in your face and on your upper torso.

I have three 6" diameter two speed fans in my CD-22 that are mounted on clamps so that they can be moved around to meet various needs when helming, sleeping, eating, and cooking. Very flexible. They also de-fog and de-ice the windows in the winter.

One is mounted above the forward starboard window where it cools the helmsman, de-fogs the starboard front window, and can be pointed toward the galley or the dinette.

The second is mounted above the forward port window, where it takes care of the window, cools the passenger, and cools the dinette or anyone sleeping in the convertible berth at night.

The Third is back in the starboard rear corner of the cabin above the galley where it cools the cook, de-fogs the door window, and can be used to help distribute the heat from my Force 10 Cozy Cabin propane heater in the winter.

All three have cords long enough to allow them to be moved around several feet from their home position as well. I should also mention that they all have an oscillating direction function that can be turned on or off.

I also have the bigger 3 speed portable FanTastic Fan, but it is more suited for a larger boat like my Sea Ray with more flat places to set it, and would be much harder to use and move around in a smaller boat like a C-Dory.

The power draw of these fans is minimal, just a few (0.5-2.0) amps at 12 volts, and a good battery system can run them for hours.

Their cooling effect will be less in humid climates (Northern California summer humidity runs from 15% to maybe 25% in the daytime), but they still work OK when the moisture in the air is greater.

Short of adding a generator and a full-blown AC unit, they seem to be the simplest and most effective choice I know of, both in terms of cost and function.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
There is a cheap "O2" fan at Wal mart--it runs on 6 D batteries, or 12 volts DC (an input plug) and a 110 V adaptor. These were about $12, but last I saw were closer to $14. They are not quite as big or good quality as the Fantastic Fan (Endless Breeze is the 12 volt portable marine version that Joe mentioned.) We use both regularly. We also have built in fans over the helm and navigator seat, and over the head (aft end) of the bunk).

Although the Fantastic Fan is great in an RV (and we have had one in every RV we own), the RV version is not up to marine conditions, and the cut out is 14"--standard for RV's, but not for boats. They also have a thin plastic cover. Some are remote control operated, both speed and cover opening,but that would really be suitable for a C Dory.

In some boats we have put in a 12" x 12" Bomar hatch over the helm or galley for ventillation. Usually one on each side--one facing forward and one aft. There are also classic "Dorade" type of vents--these are more like funnels, and may have a water trap. again, probably not appropriate for a c Dory because of their size.
 
I noticed the VHF and GPS antennae is gone! Where is your radio antennae now? Did you replace the electronics? My wife commented how good she looks nows.
 
I did away with the installed GPS and am going with a hand held since most of my time is intracoastal waters. Replaced the Standard Horizon with a Garmin 545. Treated myself (something I have absolutely no trouble doing) to a new SS claw anchor for our muddy bottoms. Also redid the deck. Next week I'm installing Nauticus SX smart trim tabs.
Thanks for the compliments, I'm having a ball with her and all the old fisherman smile and the women giggle "she's so cute". I mumble thanks.
 
I just delivered my 16 cruiser to a fellow who makes both front windows have hindges on the top . They can swing out and are opened a tiny bit or all the way open. In the end the windows look like a Model T Ford wind shield with a thumb screw that locks the angel of the window. This really works, not cheap but things that are great rarely are. Send me your Email and Ill send a Pic.[/img]
 
Jimcliff, have the moderator get you an album and post the photos. I suspect that modification would be very popular! I would like to have a copy--e-mail below.
 
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