Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I just purchased a C-25, and one of the upgrades I am looking at is the cabin ventilation. I've considered solar powered exhausts in the head and galley, as well as either solar or dorade style intakes. What have others done to improve the ventilation in the cabin when the hatches are dogged shut?
Something else I've considered is replacing the port in the head with an opening version (and possibly adding one in the q-berth), but I'm having trouble making sure I'm measuring correctly for a replacement. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Ventilation for Passage began when I installed a solar vent in the forward hatch. This was a bust after year 2 when the fan stopped working. I replaced the battery, the fan motor and eventually the fan with a USB-powered fan. Nothing worked short of replacing the solar vent for $219.00 which I would not do. So now it’s a passive vent which thankfully does not leak any rain.
I purchased an O2Cool 12VDC two speed fan with a 5” diameter blade that I tied onto the inside of my companionway’s top crib board with the slats. I can run it off the house battery or wire it directly to the 20W solar panel.
It’s very clunky but it keeps the humidity down significantly. You might be able to find a smaller fan somewhere but this was available and it works fine.
Bruce Ross Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032 Port Captain — Milford, CT
Defender's price for a 4" Marinco solar vent is $165 (white plastic) or $173 (stainless). I bought my latest on sale for ~$100. I was replacing a plastic one that ran for about 7-8 years. This one has been running for for 5-6 years--I'm not sure... The longevity of the Marinco seems a little limited, based on other reports.
However, it is very effective at preventing condensation in the cabin overnight by exhausting the humid daytime air and drawing in cooler air that has already dropped much of its moisture. I have virtually no mildew problems in the cabin... My cockpit lockers are another issue! The vent, which I have mounted in the head, is slightly audible at night--I can turn it off and leave the companionway open if I'm on board--the birds won't come in.
Various passive vents can help, but rely on overnight air movement--summer nights tend to be like glass at my dock.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.