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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/24/2011 : 14:26:32

I have a Nicro Day/Night solar vent up on the foredeck in front of the rectangular skylight. It replaced an older nicro vent that came with the boat. So far, no leaks (knock on wood)!

Edited by - on

cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 07:01:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 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.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Arlington,

I am thinking along the same lines as JimGo, so any thing else from you or anyone else that might be a tie breaker would be appreciated. Since I race my boat, I was hoping to be able to install it in the foredeck hatch, and be able to remove it and install a plug/plate for when we are racing. Do either the Sunforce or Nicro allow that?

Thanks!

Chuck

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 08:08:07

Chuck: My old Nicro slipped out of its deck plate and could be replaced with a snap-in cover. I bought a replacement Nicro Day/Night Plus this year--it doesn't use the same deck plate

, and doesn't simply lift out once installed. Instead, it has a "green water" damper you can open and close from inside the boat--probably not what you're concerned about. Here are the [url="http://www.marinco.com/files/support/product/manuals/MAR_TL_006_0910_Installation_Ins_Day_Night_PLUS.pdf"]installation/operating instructions[/url] from Marinco's site.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 08:17:07

Has anyone considered a "group buy" of the Nicro or Sunforce fans? We can contact Marinco and whoever makes the Sunforce fans to see if they will give us a discount if we purchase several. I'd be happy to take on that task if others are considering purchasing the fans too. Of course, I'd really like to get Arlington's feedback on the Sunforce before going down that road.

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Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 09:12:25

Hi Jim & Chuck
It looks like the difference in the Nicro and the Sunforce is about $100.

On Amazon the Sunforce is $58. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BYNGLU
Defender offers both of them on the same page. http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|6880|45749|320600&id=1193043
Sunforce claims the 81300 is completely weather proof, but to move air in or out and yet be completely water resistant seems contradictory.

http://www.sunforceproducts.com/product_details.php?PRODUCT_ID=81 (this web page also has a link to the installation manual)
I used GE 3500 Adhesive Caulk, so I can take out if I wish, Sunforce recommends use of screws (not included) for additional security.

If I thought my bow hatch was going to be submerged by heavy seas and/or if I had unlimited boat bucks I would go for the Nicro. On the other hand, the pop top, sliding main cabin hatch, and teak hatch boards leak a little or they have slots that Catalina put in them for ventilation (for more effective leakage-go figure)

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 09:21:31

Doug,
Other than the small leak in your torture test, have you had any other leaks? What makes you say the Nicro would be the better choice if price wasn't a factor?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 09:44:31

My recommendation is to scour the web for info regarding those that have experience with the Sunforce vent for boats. Many have the Nicro. Not all are happy with it but that may be mis-leading when you consider the proportion of individuals that have the Nicro vs the Sunforce. I do not have time to search the web right now - Got to get back to work. But I found the following link that has a discussion on the units. reading thru the threads, there are many more with experience regarding the Nicro..some positive and some negative. But none or maybe one with experience regarding the Sunforce product. the one post I read was someone that purchased the Sunforce and when he saw the construction of it, he repackaged it because he did not think it woud hold up on a boat. However, that is the only one I saw that commented on the Sunforce. Then again, believe I read one or two postings in your thread that have had good experiences with the Sunforce.

Still, if I were tossed between the two...I think I would check all I could doing a search in yahoo and see if you can get a feel for what many say about each product.

There is such a difference in cost between the Nicro and the Sunforce, I would definitely be slkeptical about the less expensive product unless I could read many positive experiences using it for a number of years. Then again, the Nicro is so expensive....you could buy replacement Sunforce units and still come out ahead. How do they compare with air flow turnover and endurance over years would be the two main issues. Next would be the customer support network...maybe check out both mfrs websites and get a feel for how they support their products.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 10:11:23

Larry, you hit on my concerns. I too tried to research the Sunforce, and couldn't find many comments on it, but I take that as a positive. People generally go online to trash a faulty product; when something works well, they don't bother giving it praise. So, I typically take the "no news is good news" approach, espeically in light of Doug's experience. The lower price of the Sunforce makes me a little nervous, too, but as you pointed out, I can afford to replace the Sunforce at least twice during the Nicro's useful life (actually, almost three times) and still come out ahead (except for the time associated with making the replacement). Or, another way to look at it is that I can afford to have two Sunforces (one in the forward hatch and one near the companionway, for example) for the price of one Nicro. That would give me redundancy and increased airflow over the Nicro.

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Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 11:02:44

Jim I wrote the Nicro may be a better choice, if I had big bucks, because it looks like the Nicro may be better built, and the posts here that it does NOT leak.
But a part of my decision was, that I could find out for $58, (with Amazon's free shipping, no tax and no hassle free return)if the solar powered fan was a good idea in the first place. Thusfar, the Sunforce 81300 has worked out pretty well for me. After I get more experience, before I head out for some coastal cruising I will re-evaluate

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 11:20:17

Thanks Doug. Have you seen any other leaks, except during your torture test?

Edited by - on

Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 11:30:27

A few drops after a 1/2" rain, but I don't know how hard it rained. I was out of town.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 12:08:30

This is about when I give my "value speech". This is purely a FWIW comment. I almost never buy the wanna be product, I almost always buy the iconic product. My reasoning is straight forward, I am a man of very humble means therefore what I buy must please me or my money has not been spent well. I use a simple test; does it make me smile. When I pull my pen out of my pocket, does it make me smile, when I tie my shoes, do they make me smile, when I reeve a line through a block, does the line and block make me smile. I recommend that when you buy a vent for your boat, (your pride and joy boat), remember you will see it as you walk down the dock toward your boat from now on; buy something that will make you smile. That is real value.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 12:40:04

Another component of value: Nicro (Marinco) has gotten raves here for customer service. Their market is boats, and they apparently want to protect their reputation in that market. Who and where is Sunforce? What is their market? Who do you contact? Where will they be when you want to buy another vent that fits in the same hole? I don't know...

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 13:25:51

OK, so maybe it's worth calling Nicro/Marinco and asking them about a group purchase. Is anyone else interested? Obviously, the final price would depend on the quantity we purchase. Or, if we can get someone from the flag line to talk to them, maybe the association can get a discount.

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cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 17:20:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 OK, so maybe it's worth calling Nicro/Marinco and asking them about a group purchase. Is anyone else interested? Obviously, the final price would depend on the quantity we purchase. Or, if we can get someone from the flag line to talk to them, maybe the association can get a discount.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have to do a little homework on the Nicro to see if I can remove it and replace it with a deck plate when racing. If I can, then yes, I would be very interested in a group purchase!

Chuck

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cshaw
Captain

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USA
460 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 17:27:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cshaw
I have to do a little homework on the Nicro to see if I can remove it and replace it with a deck plate when racing. If I can, then yes, I would be very interested in a group purchase!

Chuck
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

OK, homework did not take long at all thanks to the links from Arlington! (Thanks!!!). Looks like it snaps into place in a 4" deckplate fitting and can be swapped back and forth.

So, count me in for the stainless version, 4", model N20704S if there is a group buy. Otherwise, the Defender price is not toooo bad!

Chuck

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2011 : 17:54:15

OK, I'll start a new thread - I've hijacked Arlington's thread enough already!

-----------------

Thread started here: http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24158

Edited by - JimGo on 10/25/2011 18:09:57

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