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mga
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/01/2011 : 20:57:14

I would like to make my Catalina 25 SR/WK a bit more comfortable to overnight on, as well as when below while dockside. Any experience out there as to the best value in DC fans as well as solar vents, and where to mount them for best efficiency? To avoid cutting a four inch hole in the deck structure, has anyone mounted a solar vent in the middle of the front plexiglass hatch?

Mike Aimone
Belleville, MI
C25 #5856 SR/WK
"Lean Machine"

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2011 : 21:20:37

Use the search feature above. There was a good post on fans earlier this year. I believe it was started by Joe Diver?

Just noticed our boats are only 6 hulls apart. I'm #5862! They might have been in the incubator at the same time!

Edited by - GaryB on 09/01/2011 21:21:20

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 03:20:53

Mike,

My solar vent is in a cutout in the deck in the main cabin area. So...can't help you out with experience regarding in the hatch/plexiglass but as Gary mentioned, there have been past postings on installing it in that location.

Kind of in conflict with the solar vent is a product that helps dehumidify the air and I use it hanging it up above the porta potti area forward of the main cabin - It's called Eva-Dry. Instead of what some use which is the cardboard canisters that periodically have to be replaced, the Eva-Dry is a bunch of dessicant in a container that when the clear window shows the dessicant turning pink, then you bring it home and plug it into the electric outlet to dry it out overnight and then bring it back to the boat. I find the dessicant turns from blue to pink in about 2 weeks depending on humidity and that's when I bring it home once again.

Even though they are in conflict, my thought is that the my solar vent mainly circulates air between the solar vent near the bulkhead in the main cabin and the vent in the companionway boards and the Eva Dry helps to dehumify some of the humid air that is more or less stagnant in the VBerth area. The solar vent and/or the Eva Dry work well for me. I never bring my cushions home in the winter since I use the boat year-round and my cabin/Vberth area has no mildew smell. In the winter, there are sometimes periods of snow and I will have my cover on my boat for perhaps 1 day -3 weeks at a time. When I have my cover on, I take the rechargeable battery out of my solar vent (well...now I have the solar vent that has the button to turn it off, so I may not remove the battery but turn the unit off) and so this is a time when the Eva-Dry is also useful when there is no active venting.

I have the EV-500 Model. Here is the link to see the product:

http://evadry.reachlocal.net/products.html?utm_source=ReachLocal& utm_medium=PPC& utm_campaign=Eva-Dry

Edited by - OLarryR on 09/02/2011 03:28:12

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 05:36:14

Installing the solar vent in the forward hatch is a popular alternative to cutting a big hole in the boat--you can always get another hatch. Nicro even includes instructions for a hatch installation (since that's usually thinner).

Regarding placement, the humidity in a relatively open air-space equalizes very rapidly throughout the space, even in still air. I suspect Larry's desiccant would turn at the same rate no matter where he put it in the cabin. It's constantly being fed with the humidity that circulates through with the vent.

The idea of the solar vent is to pull daytime air out in the evening, before it starts condensing in the cabin, replacing it with cooler night air that has already dropped enough of it moisture to not condense. One exhaust vent works amazingly well.

As for getting some air movement you can feel in the cabin, I like the little Caframo 2-speed stick-anywhere fan. (You need a 12V outlet, but that's a nice thing to have in any case.)

(BTW, a child can stick his finger in there with no danger--it's soft, light, and not powerful.)

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 09/02/2011 05:40:24

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 05:58:47

I've got an O2 Cool fan that works nicely. It runs off the 12v boat system or 8 D cell batteries.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 06:34:41

I have Caframo Bora's, 1 in the aft end of the v-berth and 1 at the forward end of the quarterberth. Caframo fans ran 24/7 for months in P/S tests before failing - wait for sales since they aren't cheap. Actually, if I remember correctly, they just got noisy after 3-4 months and P/S gave up on their destructive testing.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 09:07:08

I also have two fans for people cpmfort. One is mounted on the mast column and the other in the quarter berth area. Photos on my boat web site.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 09:33:18

Your forepeak looks like this

The access plate lets you get to the mounting bolts for the anchor rode cleat. You could simply mount a simple vent in the anchor locker and pop the access plate cover off to allow ventilation. Defender has lots.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 12:31:21

I haven't owned either a Caframo or a Hella fan, but have heard good reports on the Hella fan, including that they use somewhat less power than the Caframo, although they're more expensive. Does anyone have any experience with a Hella fan? If you use it alot, it might be worth the extra money.

Edited by - on

michaelj
Navigator

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132 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 14:01:15

You might also consider a Windscoop which is currently on sale on the Catalina Owners website. I saw one in action recently and it looked pretty cool (pardon the pun.) I got one but haven't used it yet. Supposedly is will catch wind from any direction and put it into the cabin. We'll see.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2011 : 14:37:53

Hella makes good products, but the .55 amp of the two speed is a little deceptive because it doesn't move as much air as the .85 amp, three speed Bora (both on high). P/S is the only place I've seen cu. ft./amp power rankings.

edit: I've been aboard boats with wind scoops, and they are very effective.

Edited by - Dave5041 on 09/02/2011 14:39:23

michaelj
Navigator

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132 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2011 : 02:37:34

A follow up on the Windscoop. I used it last weekend and it works well. It actually does follow the wind, and in my case ('89 standard rig) you can suspend it from the jib halyard. It seems that the forward hatch is the only place you can use it if you have a bimini. It does create a nice breeze in the V berth.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2011 : 03:35:17

The two fans that I have are Caframo Scirrocos. This fan has 3 speeds and I only use it on the two slowest speeds. The lowest speed is very low amps but I do not recall the exact amperage. The benefit this fan has over most others, for those that view this as a benefit, is that it has a built in shut off timer. You press the button to have the fan auto shut-off in 2, 4 or 6 hours. This can prove useful for those that want sleep comfort but also want to save on the amps. The fan is also multi-directional with movement along 3 axis/pivoting points. The fan is a bit pricey compared to some others but very few have a built-in timer.

Below, is one of the two I have in the cabin. More photos on my web page under the section "Switch Panel, Battery Charger & Fans".

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2011 : 07:54:50

What about something like [url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solar-Panel-Roof-Vent-Fan-Green-House-Cell-Ventilator-/370547965269?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5646613d55"]this[/url] or [url="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ultra-Fab-Mini-Solar-Plumbing-Vent-/380374420008?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5890150a28"] this[/url] mounted to the forward hatch? If you do it near the aft end of the hatch (near the hinges), it should reduce the strain on the arms that keep the hatch open.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2011 : 08:20:05

One more; has anyone tried [url="http://www.amazon.com/Round-Solar-Boats-Sheds-house/product-reviews/B001C8B8D2/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1"] these[/url] or [url="http://www.amazon.com/Sunforce-Products-Smart-Solar-81300/dp/B000BYNGLU"] the Sunforce SmartSolar[/url] fans? The first one doesn't have a battery, which I guess would be a problem since you'd want the fan to run in the evening as condensation is forming, although if the fan kept air moving throughout the cabin all day, it may be less of an issue (just a guess). The Sunforce does, and it looks like it has a lower profile than the Nicro.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2011 : 08:33:09

You definitely want one with a battery--the real work is done at night removing moister daytime air before it "dews" on the interior. The forward hatch is a popular mounting spot--it's not a place where you're likely to step, and it's replaceable. Otherwise, placement isn't critical for the objective, because humidity balances itself very rapidly in a closed air space.

Sorry--the only brand I've looked at or owned is Nicro.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2011 : 08:37:36

I am confused Jim, you are buying a boat that will live in a marine environment and you are looking at non marine solutions. Don't do that. Marine products use standardized hole sizes and once you have a standard hole you have many options over the years as your needs evolve.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2011 : 09:14:24

I would recommend the Nicro solar day/night vent.. put it over the head or the noise of the fan will bug you just over you rhead in the forward bunk. The non marine vents will get damaged and cut you.

http://www.marinco.com/product/daynight-plus-vent

Edited by - redeye on 10/04/2011 09:16:51

Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2011 : 17:14:44

Hi Jim I installed the Sunforce 8300 fan in the forward hatch about a month ago. It works great, is quiet, required a 4 1/2 hole, runs all day with sun, then at night on the battery (I messed up and used a hand drill with a 4-inch hole saw first, then drilled a 5-inch hole), still worked fine the boat has no smell. Would have been better to drill the right size hole. I took the lexan light out of the ,hatch and drilled from the back side, don't push, let the saw do the work, or you will crack the lexan. if you use too much speed the lexan melts. I think I could have took the whole hatch out, and not had to mess with re-sealing the lexan back in.
I will go down to the boat tomorrow and dump a 5 gal bucket of water on and around the Sunforce and see if it leaks like a sieve.

Frank, do you mean use the nico marinco vent because it is better quality, and it only requires a 4-inch hole? I haven't found Scott's post yet, but will look for it. Jim, Frank is known for good advice, so I would give great weight to his suggestions.

Edited by - Arlington on 10/04/2011 17:17:41

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2011 : 18:24:52

I could not find, anywhere, the Nicro two speed 4" 12 volt only ventilation fan and was stuck with yet another solar panel. 63 watts and counting...

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/04/2011 : 20:36:17

Frank, thanks, I hadn't considered that the hole size was "non-standard". Doug, thanks for the feedback on the Sunforce. I will be curious to see how the water test holds up! I'd love to get rid of the humid feeling/smell in the boat. The idea of putting it over the head is interesting; it would help kill two birds with one stone!

MGA, thanks for starting this thread!

Edited by - on

Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2011 : 17:03:52

Jim, I went down to the boat this afternoon, and I poured about 2 1/2 gallons of water from a bucket on and around the running Sunforce pretty quickly. The fan was running in the exhaust mode on Solar Power. It leaked about half of teaspoon, in a somewhat steady drip from inside the fan housing.

Can someone with a Nicro Fan advise if they also leak?

Jim by the way, the most air this fan ever moves is very small, like 2 cubic feet per minute. If you had your face within 6-inches of the fan, you could barely feel it. It is the quantity of air over time that makes a difference.

Edited by - Arlington on 10/05/2011 17:06:12

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2011 : 17:37:07

For pouring a bucket of water on it, that's a pretty good track record. I'm not sure that my home windows do much better!

As for the air flow rate, even 2 cfm is better than zero! I may try 2 of them, though, one on the hatch and one on the pop top.

Edited by - on

rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 10/05/2011 : 19:03:24

Underway, you can always slide the sleeve up on the underside of the vent for a positive seal. On another note, for a boat without previous history, I'd highly recommend pulling the vent and inspecting for correct installation, if it's on the forward deck. I was lucky and the softened wood core was cut away by going from a 3" vent fan to a 4" fan and feeding a few oz. of CPES into the exposed grain. Correct installation is an epoxy sealed wood core on the cut and not relying on silicone sealing the two Nicro plastic halves together (of which that did minimize damage). I only went with Nicro because it was twice the price, but the reviews on WM suggest a poor redesign and "optimization" for manufacture by the good folks in The PRofC.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2011 : 08:31:58

Hey Arlington, any other feedback on the fan? I'm going to probably pull the trigger soon(ish) and am still on the fence between the Nicro and the Sunforce. At almost half the price, the Sunforce is really tempting.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2011 : 09:11:52

I'm not sure how the Nicro would hold up to pouring 2 1/2 gallons of water on it, however, I have washed my deck with hose pressure and we went thru some fairly strong storms this summer and my Nicro has never leaked water. What I can tell you is that there customer service is excellent. I had a 5 year old Nicro that stopped for some reason. It was not the battery since I put a new one in and it still did not work. While I went down to WM and got a replacement, I also contacted Nicro and they sent me out a replacement right away and did not even ask for the old one back. Now I am keeping the new one I received as a backup but may never need it. What I like about the new ones is that it has an on and off switch so that if for some reason you or your spouse is a light sleeper, for those times sleeping onbaord, you can turn the fan off. However, the new fan has been quiet sine I installed it this past summer and so I never turn it off.

Edited by - on

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