Ventilated deck hatches

[Bryan 2530]

Kev, I would mount it over the tank(s).

Now I know you have three so you need to figure where that best would be but I don't think putting a pie plate in the slam hatch is the way to go in my opinion, that maybe just invites more water intrusion.

How do the ones in the centers, forward of the slam hatch and/or near the pilothouse connect to the rest of the underdeck tank areas?

I would do the pie plate just infront of the slam hatch so it is in the sun most of the day.

 

[Megabyte]

Kev, I would mount it over the tank(s).

Now I know you have three so you need to figure where that best would be but I don't think putting a pie plate in the slam hatch is the way to go in my opinion, that maybe just invites more water intrusion.

How do the ones in the centers, forward of the slam hatch and/or near the pilothouse connect to the rest of the underdeck tank areas?

I would do the pie plate just infront of the slam hatch so it is in the sun most of the day.

The two saddle tanks have been unused since about 2006, and the fill caps are labeled "Do Not Use" in red.
Honestly, I'd love to cut the deck and remove both of those tanks. I'll bet it would lighten her up a lot! :shock:
If I do that, the main tank will be inspected and if she is without issues, she will be coated in coal tar epoxy and re-installed.

The way I am oriented in my slip, the rear plates (near the slam hatch) gets the morning and afternoon sun.
The one near the pilothouse gets late afternoon and evening, so I might do both.

Another option would be to do both hatches aft over the saddle tanks as those hatches are larger (7" I believe) and get more sun.
The space under deck is all connected, so either option would work for what I want it to do.

Just got back from the boat...
I used Starbright 'Zipper and Snap Lubricant' on all of the deck o-rings and snapped the covers back in place after airing it out for 36 hours.
Should be watertight for another year. 8)

I'll do some measuring and make up a materials list for this project.
Oh yes... there will be photos.

 

[Megabyte]

Wow...
Did a net search for the Marinco N20704S (4") fan and everyone wants $190 for one, and I was wanting two.

I think this project is going on the back burner.

 

[Brent]

I bought 2 Sunforce solar fans from Amazon and PVC pipe from Home Depot and
total cost was less $120, and used left over 3M 4000 UV from installing new deck hatches and re doing cockpit deck seams. I would like the clear lid over the gas tank to check the fuel level guage



see
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13594

http://www.amazon.com/automotive/dp/B000BYNGLU

 

[Megabyte]

Certainly less expensive than the Marinco. Thanks for the tip.
2 fans on order.

 

[Brent]

Good luck

They have one year warranty

 

[Brent]

Admiral checked the fan last week when the family was in Florida and fan was still working. The rear and forward bilges were dry.
Money well spent

 

[TWOBOATER]

That is a really clever concept Bryan. Beckson / Nicro might be interested in this set-up. I think that's a marketable product. Good work.

 

[Parker1817]

With the solar fans is there a chance of water coming thru them when it rains?

 

[Brent]

Very little air exhausts outward and mounted about 8" off the deck

 

[Megabyte]

With the solar fans is there a chance of water coming thru them when it rains?

My solar vents have the option of pulling air in, or exhausting it out.
Mine are set to exhaust out and I leave a pie plate in the cabin open so the air moves from the cabin to the rear deck, then out.
The design of those fans do not allow water intrusion from rain or wash water.