MacGregorSailors.com

Wow! I guess that's one way to reduce all that useless extra freeboard. Are you sure that's not how our boats are supposed to be? I think it looks better sitting that low in the water.

When they first see it, everybody thinks the bootstripe is a representation of the waterline; that's the first boat I ever saw where it appears to be so.

Pouw -

That's not my boat, but that is indeed a porta-bote he is towing. Looks like he's done several mods to it too! I'd guess it is a 10 foot model, similar to the one I have.

Before I cut the 4 inch mounting hole in Catigale if anyone has thoughts on where to put a 3 inch Day NIght vent please pass them on!!

I dont have any vents at present and Catigale will get mildew in her if I dont sail her every week - of course, my solution this summer was to sail her every weekend!!

Seriously, if anyone has gone through this thought process and can share with me/board please do.

*Im also putting a exhaust vent in the head to keep that smelling nice, so the Day Night will likely always be in intake mode.



Here are thoughts

Vent next to mast
CLeaner look +
Easier to break -
Vents cabin from top +
Less leak potential ?
More potential to fubar the install -

Vent on front window
Looks uglier -
Less likely to be broken +
Foul genoa halyard ??
Impedes view -
Easy to put in +

Just in case you missed it, I'll repost the link to ours.

I've done a lot of climbing around on the deck, and because there's grass on that side and a concrete driveway on the other, I've always seemed to go up the port side. The fan hasn't seemed to be in the way. I have to look where I'm stepping to avoid the windows anyway.

I'd definitely opt for the stainless version though, and not just to prevent cracking should I step on it. I believe it will hold up better in the sun's UV rays.

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Moe

Just to add some non electical alternative, what's wrong with this windcatcher which you put over the open hatch?

Thanks Moe - I did see your link as I was about to mount it in the window, so you are the culprit who has me second guessing myself...

thanks for posting first and again!

Im leaning towards the Rooftop mount - I have to rewire my mast (steaming light, anchor light, telltale light) anyway and that might make it a lot easier

I think it will be a nicer looking install up there, and will also inspire me to lead my halyards aft so I wont step on it...

The Admiral has okayed a budget to take my main halyard aft - i told her $300 estimated - and she said fine if it keeps you off the top of the boat in wind....Love Ya Honey!!!

Pouw Geuzebroek wrote:Just to add some non electical alternative, what's wrong with this windcatcher which you put over the open hatch?

One big advantage to the 24 X 7 vent is that it helps keep fresh air circulating through the cabin when the boat is closed up... moored or parked.

Another is that it continues to work in the rain when you're inside with the hatches closed up.

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Moe

I'd definitely opt for the stainless version though, and not just to prevent cracking should I step on it. I believe it will hold up better in the sun's UV rays.

Yup, thats for sure. Mine is almost 5 years old now and the ABS plastic that it is made out of is quite brittle. It might not have broken if it was new. I only stepped on it because I lost my balance tripping over something...ie, it was either step on the vent or go overboard.

The only nice part about the white ABS is that it blends in with the boat real nice and you might not even notice it if you aren't looking carefully. But when I replace mine, it will likely be with SS. Actually, I just noticed that sailnet is running a sale. I should probably get a new one at that price..I just need to verify that it is the right size.

Btw, I think mine only runs in the sunlight, not at night, ie, there is no battery. I'm not sure if I would want the typically moist Florida night air being pulled through the cabin at night...but up North, perhaps its beneficial to keep the condensation out of the boat.

Catigale wrote:Im leaning towards the Rooftop mount ... I think it will be a nicer looking install up there, and will also inspire me to lead my halyards aft so I wont step on it...

Be sure you map out the path your lines are going to follow when leading them aft. You may find the lines and the vent next to the mast may try to occupy the same space. I'm working on a lines-aft modification myself, and I have lines running both port and starboard. The area just to the left of the mast, where Moe has his vent, is going to have reefing and topping lift control lines running out to a deck organizer mounted near the stanchion.

Of course, it's possible that the height of the lines off the deck might allow them to clear the vent when it is in place, but one can never be sure until the lines are in place. If the vent will fit under the lines, that would also tend to add some protection for the vent, as you will be stepping over the lines anyway.

I'm still leaning towards the mount in the window, and fixing some sort of dorade box to deal with the additional moisture in that area. Will probably have to custom build the dorade box, or at least heavily modify a commercially available dorade. Sounds like a fun project. My brain is already spinning on how I can put all of this together.

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Mark G

That's a good point. For example, there's no way I could reroute the centerboard line to the port side. I'd guess the biggest factor in clearing the vent would be whether you're going to put your turning blocks on the mast or the deck.

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Moe

My vent is port and my lines led aft are starboard. The only time a line goes over the vent is when I'm raising the mast...I use the port side winch.

We're going to try to minimize the lines on the side decks.

Our topping lift is the "wrap it around the boom" to shorten type, a tip, IIRC from Bill at Boats4Sail. Just a line tied between the chickenhead and boom end.

Our forward reefing line will come back along the boom to a cleat.

We have the roller furling on the port side, and I'm not sure what else we'd put there.

When we get the sail slugs and jackline on the main, we'll run that halyard back along the starboard side, with the centerboard line.

--
Moe

For preventing mildew I have a simpe vent witout a fan installed thru the front hatch. This is an easy place to mount it and it is not in the way of any lines. Easy because the hatch has only one (thick) layer of polyester. These vents have a little bug screen installed and are leak proof. Even when I hose the boat no water comes thru. It is made of SS so stepping on it is no problem.

An other advantage of that place to fix it is that in the middle of the vent is a small look thru window, and it draws some natural light on the V berth underneath the hatch.

The Marinco Nicro MiniVent 1000, Stainless Steel, 3in solar powered model is on special at Sailnet for $46.88.

http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=20203

I went with putting the vent port side to the mast - like Moe'sposted modification.

I was pulling wires for new mast wiring (Windvane light, Anchor light, and Front Deck flood light) so I had all the plugs pulled below.

Took a deep breath, measured twice, and went up top to cut the 3 3/4 inch hole for the vent.

The jig saw caught in two places, and I lifted the piece up I had cut through the reinforcing fiberglass member below deck. I wasnt too happy about this at first, but then of course I realised at the worst case I could rebuild this and cover up the hole pretty well..

The deck sure isnt any softer after cutting this member (I weigh about 220#) so unless there is some tension on the deck from mast forces I dont see a problem here. The vent comes with a nice mount plate that I will bond to the deck as well as using 6 SS fasteners, so that will restore some strength to the hole.

ANyway - if you are interested in this mod be aware that you will be cutting a FG member and decide if you are happy with this.

Had a good day otherwise...

* Wired GPS to DSC VHF radio
* Wired all new wires from switches to mast step for the above mast accessories - when you pull these wires with fish tape wrap at least a foot of your wire onto the tape with electrical tape - there are a number of places it gets caught..
* New 12 VDC outlet and GPS connect at helm
* Ran RX8 and 5 conductor 12 VDC up mast for Offshore antenna and new stuff above - I put a cable tie every 2 feet to keep the chafe down inside the mast. My 7 year old Caitlin pulled the wire and stopped every 2 feet like a champ - imagine how much up and down the ladder it would have been without her....
* Swapped the 2 pole deck plug for a 4 pole one
* Put in a through deck fitting for the VHF.
* Put in an antenna switch to go from sailing mode antenna on mast to motor mode with rail antenna

***Dont key your VHF mike without an antenna load as you can blow the front end out *****

Best part of working below decks is a 1500 Watt heater plugged in via shore power connected to garage brings below decks to 65 F in about 10 minutes - it was 30 F outside, but I was snug!!