show me your porthole(s)

[pitchpolehobie]

On a weeklong trip last week with my 26X. I slept under the cockpit and really enjoyed. I thought a few times though I wish i wouldve had some more ventilation back there (have 2x 10,000 mAh fans on all night to circulate air). And was wondering if it made more sense to install portholes in the in cockpit or on the external hull walls. It seems the portholes need to pass thru 2 layers of fiberglass on the external wall and I wonder if there would be some play between the 2 comprimising the portholes water tightness over time. I was looking at this but other suggestions and input very welcome. I am not 100% set on this as a project.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pack-Boat-Ya ... 5311126071

[Russ]

I'm not sure how much air you would get, but in the cockpit...that would be safer. The outside hull, I suggest you search this forum for "Mac Sunk Portoholes". A captain had them outside, his son borrowed the boat and left them open. In seconds it swamped his boat when healed just a bit. I wouldn't risk it.

[NiceAft]

I had two opening portholes installed port and starboard just before the aft sleeping area on my 2005 . They were installed by the dealer when I ordered NiceAft in 2004.





I believe Highlander installed port and starboard ports down low in the cockpit. That location actually creates airflow in the aft sleeping area.

Addressing the question about open ports and heeling; I make certain to close them before sailing. They are there for when we are docked.

I did forget once, and suddenly remembered when we were heeling in excess of 40 degrees. We do that occasionally because it’s fun, and my wife likes the thrill also.

When I did remember, I quickly told my wife to go below and close them. When she came back up I told her there is a nautical term for water entering an open port………………….SINKING

[Russ]

"Nice Aft" has opening portholes ABOVE the rail. Still dangerous if left open, but not as dangerous as some I've seen below.

Capsize from porthole thread here... viewtopic.php?p=358162

[NiceAft]

When we close the ports, it’s not a matter just lowering the plexi window. The plexi window is lowered and locked. Those two clamps make a water tight seal. They do not leak; even when a hose is directed at them. The seal is tight, and that is what matters. Of course, all of that is non-consequential if left open.

Also, in my previous post of 2022, I should have emphasized heeling far in excess of 20 degrees. A heel of 15 degrees is normal.

[pitchpolehobie]

I'm not sure how much air you would get, but in the cockpit...that would be safer. The outside hull, I suggest you search this forum for "Mac Sunk Portoholes". A captain had them outside, his son borrowed the boat and left them open. In seconds it swamped his boat when healed just a bit. I wouldn't risk it.

I think Ive seen the lower set of windows on the 26M and would like to have something like that for viewing when at port / anchor as well. Doesnt seem it is conducive on the 26x without going below the rubrail which I wouldnt do on the 26X. As I originally said, Not a must-do modification but trying to collect different approaches and if anything seemed appropriate enough consider it. Obviously not worth compromising hull integrity & it seems that even the best crews have left the hatches open...woops.

[Russ]

I would be interested to see how much air people get from those portholes. I have to admit, the blue hull gets HOT! If I had to do it again, I'd go white.

Frankly, I would NEVER install one below the rub rail. It just seems too risky to accidentally leave open. Reading that capsize story is my worse nightmare. I also wonder how the insurance co. would feel about modifying/installing a porthole in such a location.
These boats have a tremendous safety record.

ABOVE the rub rail is probably not an issue. It's hard to get the rail under that far without trying. If the window was left open, I would think you could hear/see water coming in before it became a disaster.

[NiceAft]

Having owned NiceAft for twenty years, I can say quite confidently that I have no qualms about having the two ports. They are only opened when tied up to a dock. The front hatch is also opened. The hatch is open at an angle so as to perform as a wind scoop. There is a mosquito net in place.

Highlander's location is better for creating airflow in the aft sleeping area.

I must say that another function of the ports is as windows to the world around you. One of my favorite places to sit is at the dinette table and looking outside. When I occasionally have someone else at the helm, I eagerly go below and enjoy the sail while siting at that location and watching the world go by.

[kurz]

Can't help with portholes.
But I use 2 cheap 12v fans. Big change in summer! They make some noise. Accidentally I ordered one in 24V. This one is the perfect, as there's just zero noise and good wind.

[OverEasy]

Hi!

We like the location of Nice Afts portals but found that something similar really didn’t lend itself to our Mac26X.
We did consider putting in a pair facing inward to the cockpit but figured that there wasn’t a significant benefit given the way we have come to be using our boat.

An alternative to portals….
We sorta skipped the aft berth ventilation portholes by just using the aft berth area for our storage and instead use the ‘Vee’ berth and dinette area for sleeping. We so seldom used the dinette that when we redid our cushions we just left the dinette down finding it much more roomy and comfortable. We have a auxiliary screened companionway panel set made by our PO and a bug netting that we’ve used both on the companioway and the forward hatch. These provide some welcome ventilation of the main cabin during nice weather… slightly not when it’s raining 🫣



To deal with that we made a modification to add a ducted A/C with the single exhaust hose going into the cockpit via a water tight hatch.
When in slip with shore power this works nicely even though there is some outside air that leaks in to replace the hot air from the compressor. Ideally we would have preferred a dual hose type A/C unit but they were not available in our area at the time. (We’re looking to modify the unit to allow for the compressor cooling air to be taken from the outside in the future as a further enhancement modification.) But so far it’s been more than sufficient to substantially cool down the cabin even on the hottest days or nights in rain or shine.



We also recently acquired a small Honda generator sufficient to power the A/C for when we travel further afield without access to shore power.

A Ryobi dual power 18VDC/115VAC fan provides some intermediate air movement when needed or desired to ensure the air circulation gets up and round the head of the Vee berth area.

One place that we feel needs a portal for ventilation is the ‘head’ closet. On our “TO-DO” list is installion of the Day/Nite Solar Power Vent given to us by our PO. It’s a bit closed in and some inflow or exhaust air will be welcome in there…🫣

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Note: We did also seriously consider modification of the cabin window panels to make them top hinged and and opening outward.
Initially it was just the two forward windows and then extended to the side windows as well. The challenge was that nothing is flat on the Mac26X windows…everything is curved in 3D which makes it a bit of a challenge getting a hinge to work while also providing the rigidity needed to get it to seal properly. While not impossible we looked at our usage and went with the A/C route.

[NiceAft]

There used to be quite a lot of discussion on solar vents. They were mounted on the forward hatch or in a plexi raccoon stripe, Then, there wasn't much mentioned about them. The biggest complaint, if I remember correctly, was stepping on the hatch and cracking the vent, or the plastic ones cracking from extended sun exposure.

[leefrankpierce]

I plan to replace my side plexi windows with inserts containing opening potholes.
Not sure how it will turn out, but I suppose nothing ventured nothing gained.
Also plan to add a hydraulic rams to hold up the front hatch.

[pitchpolehobie]

Hi!

We like the location of Nice Afts portals but found that something similar really didn’t lend itself to our Mac26X.
We did consider putting in a pair facing inward to the cockpit but figured that there wasn’t a significant benefit given the way we have come to be using our boat.

An alternative to portals….
We sorta skipped the aft berth ventilation portholes by just using the aft berth area for our storage and instead use the ‘Vee’ berth and dinette area for sleeping. We so seldom used the dinette that when we redid our cushions we just left the dinette down finding it much more roomy and comfortable. We have a auxiliary screened companionway panel set made by our PO and a bug netting that we’ve used both on the companioway and the forward hatch. These provide some welcome ventilation of the main cabin during nice weather… slightly not when it’s raining 🫣



To deal with that we made a modification to add a ducted A/C with the single exhaust hose going into the cockpit via a water tight hatch.
When in slip with shore power this works nicely even though there is some outside air that leaks in to replace the hot air from the compressor. Ideally we would have preferred a dual hose type A/C unit but they were not available in our area at the time. (We’re looking to modify the unit to allow for the compressor cooling air to be taken from the outside in the future as a further enhancement modification.) But so far it’s been more than sufficient to substantially cool down the cabin even on the hottest days or nights in rain or shine.



We also recently acquired a small Honda generator sufficient to power the A/C for when we travel further afield without access to shore power.

A Ryobi dual power 18VDC/115VAC fan provides some intermediate air movement when needed or desired to ensure the air circulation gets up and round the head of the Vee berth area.

One place that we feel needs a portal for ventilation is the ‘head’ closet. On our “TO-DO” list is installion of the Day/Nite Solar Power Vent given to us by our PO. It’s a bit closed in and some inflow or exhaust air will be welcome in there…🫣

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Note: We did also seriously consider modification of the cabin window panels to make them top hinged and and opening outward.
Initially it was just the two forward windows and then extended to the side windows as well. The challenge was that nothing is flat on the Mac26X windows…everything is curved in 3D which makes it a bit of a challenge getting a hinge to work while also providing the rigidity needed to get it to seal properly. While not impossible we looked at our usage and went with the A/C route.

Do u have a link to those hatches? Can you grab an interior picture sometime and if youre happy w the positioning to share the measurements. This would be a winter project so no rush.

[NiceAft]

I was just speaking with Highlander. He was telling me that what I described was on his . On his he placed his ports in the same location as I did.

[OverEasy]

Hi PitchPoleHobie

Here’s the info on the hatches I’ve used.
They work nicely & stay latched.
I used the same hatch model for our fuel tank accesses, electrical access as well as our A/C exhaust.
Two plus years on for the ones used for our fuel tank access are holding up great and they are nearly always in full sun & weather exposure.


On the wrapper


Molded onto the hatch lid

Best Regards
Over Easy