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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Solar Vents

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jkountz
1st Mate

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USA
48 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/19/2002 : 22:50:02

My boat is moored year round in Seattle so moisture and mold is a continuous issue. I have a portable heater which keeps the boat warm. I am considering adding solar ventilation and was wondering if any other C250 owners have made this improvement already.

If you have, what solar vents did you install and where?

Thanks-
Foolish Treasure C250K #668

Edited by - on

cathluk
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2002 : 09:05:41

We have not put in vents (yet?) precisely because we couldn't find a good place to put them. The only reasonable place would the the forward hatch, but I thing the jib sheets would catch on them.

We use the absorbant white pellets in the fancy little basket to keep moisture down (dries-it or something like that). You can get the refills at your local home center much cheaper than BoatUS or West Marine.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

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DougA
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2002 : 21:32:15

I added a solar vent to The forward hatch this summer and have only had one small problem. When we overnighted in Monterey last month, I was sleeping in the v berth and was complaining about some jerk, far away, running his generator all night. In the morning I realized that is was the fan running all night I was hearing. I have heard of people stuffing a sock in theirs at night to stop it.

Doug A., C250wb, San Franciscp Bay area

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2002 : 21:55:13

<b>"I added a solar vent to the forward hatch this summer and have only had one small problem. When we overnighted in Monterey last month, I was sleeping in the v berth and was complaining about some jerk, far away, running his generator all night. In the morning I realized that is was the fan running all night I was hearing. I have heard of people stuffing a sock in theirs at night to stop it."</b>

Some solar vents(Powervent 3000) have a manual shutoff for the fan. On your vent, is it possible to insert a switch into one of the wires going to the fan motor?

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
Lake Erie

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Tupelo Honey
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 11:50:02

i put the solar vent in the forward hatch (took 15 minutes). it's great. the headsail doesn't catch it, and my cabin never gets musty. it is so quiet i never even bother to shut it off, though there is a switch.

great little investment, imho.

david

1995 Catalina 250WB (Hull #155)
Long Island Sound
"Tupelo Honey"
www.stardive.org
<img src="http://www.stardive.org/tupelo.jpg" border=0>

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ssteakley
Captain

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USA
467 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2002 : 23:07:30

I recently purchased an "Air Dryr" from happyidea.com:
http://www.happyidea.com/mrh.html
I have not used it yet but plan to put on the boat this weekend. It claims to keep the boat free from moisture and mildew, I bought the larger unit and it is bigger than I thought, about 1' diameter. Currently I use the white pellets that come in a quart milk type carton at Home Depot (Moisture rid..or something like that). The pellets are poured into a small plastic container and when you return the next weekend you empty the water that has collected in the bottom of the container and refill with pellets. It does keep the boat smelling fresh but if this other device works just as good and all I have to do is plug it in then I will be happy I spent the $50. I will report back in a few weeks,
Steve Steakley

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Sailor Vic
1st Mate

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56 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2002 : 16:56:28

I had purchased a solar vent. When it arrived I decided against it and returned it. The instructions said that the surface had to be perfectly flat and on the hatch there isn't any part that is totally flat.

Instead I purchased a Vetus Stainless Steel Mushroom Ventilator from West Marine.

I just looked on-line at their catalog, spent 10 minutes trying to see it so that I could provide you with a link or picture, but couldn't find it. It is shown in their 2002 catalog on page 540.

It's made in Holland and top quality. They backordered it and I had to wait about a month (well worth the wait).

It can be adjusted up and down and is easily secured from below.

Almost impossible to ever get any water from the deck into it.

It has a nice brass mosquito vent and interior flange.

Easy to install and was perfect for my 250 forward hatch.

It just fits so perfectly!

I highly recommend it and I would certainly do it again.

No noise, and it seems like it will last forever.

Vic

Leon's Dream 250WK #660

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/vic-sailing.html

Edited by - on

jkountz
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
48 Posts

Response Posted - 06/08/2003 : 19:43:05

I've finished a modification to improve ventilation on my 250K which is permanently moored in Everett Washington. We get a lot of rain here in Seattle and with the boat always in the water, moisture and mold is a constant battle.

I added a Solar / 12 V Combination Nicro Vent (West Marine 429399) which is runs constantly, drawing air out of the cabin. This is installed on the cabin roof, just behind and to the port side of the mast. I wanted to make sure that I would always have one vent running, and in Seattle one can not rely on solar panels. So I have this vent switched to DC which is being charged by shore power on my battery charger.

Next, I added a Nicro Solar Powervent 3000 (West Marine 183808) which is solar powered and which charges a C cell nicad battery. I installed this one on the forward hatch and have it set to draw fresh air. I chose this vent because it offers a manual full shutoff to prevent green water from entering in rough conditions. While at the slip this vent provides a fresh air draw for the 12 volt vent, and on sunny days provides active draw.

And finally, I added two 4” vents to the cabin lockers to allow air flow through the lockers. I am considering adding an active vent to one of the lockers to ensure air flow through the lockers.

The one remaining issue is to provide a fresh air vent in the aft section of the boat. I am considering adding a cowling vent under one of the stern seats.

John Kountz
Foolish Treasure 250K #668

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mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2003 : 00:57:13

I bought my C250WB slightly used, and the original owner outfitted it with a Nicro 2000 solar vent mounted mid cabin on behind the mast. It's worked well and hasn't leaked -- however, we don't have anywhere near the moisture problem you do. I rely on it more to vent summer heat. Recently, the motor stopped running and the recommended battery removal didn't get it running again. I decided it would be easier to replace the whole unit than have it repaired. I also noticed some fan noise in the middle of a quiet night, so I can see the benefit of a unit with a switch. I'm not sure the sock "stopper" would be good for the fan motor -- but with a little more effort, you can remove the NiCad battery. Of course, if you have enough grog, the fan won't bother you over your snoring. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Max Day
C250 WB 380
Lake Pleasant, AZ

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