suggestions for improving winter ventilation

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catalacmarc
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suggestions for improving winter ventilation

Post by catalacmarc »

Friends, I am looking for suggestions for improving winter, Northwest rainy season,ventilation on the 36? For example, my previous cat, a 9M Catalac, had 6 spin up round vents through the cabin roof.
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thinwater
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Re: suggestions for improving winter ventilation

Post by thinwater »

I have been VERY happy running a small dehuidifier and sealing the boat up. No mold, fresh smell. The trick is to choose a very small non-compressor sort. This is better than ventilation, specifically in the PNW.

I've used a few; this is the one (EVA DRY-2200) that lasted (5 years and counting):

http://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/ ... 049-1.html

Also, I run it on a timer, only about 6 hours at night. That's enough, and where I am (we get way below freezing) it allows the day to be a defrost cycle. Just add a drain hose and run it to the sink. I sit mine on the stove. Day sailing I put the whole thing in the sink so it won't fall over, cruising it is put away; it's light and tiny. It only takes a few pints each day, but that is enough if the boat is closed.
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PBCarter
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Re: suggestions for improving winter ventilation

Post by PBCarter »

I have a question about the EVA-DRY-2200. I don't see anything on their website about it being able to add a drain hose. Did you have to modify it somehow? I realize the EVA-Dry is a non-compressor type...why is this important.
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thinwater
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Re: suggestions for improving winter ventilation

Post by thinwater »

^^ I drilled a hole on the front side of the tank near the bottom and tapped in 1/4-inch NPT x 3/16-inch ID hose barb. I sit it on the stove and let the hose drain into the sink.

The no-compressor design does several things:
* Cheaper.
* Very quiet, just a small fan.
* Low power draw.
* Low capacity.
* No humidistat. But you can run it off a cheap day/night lamp switch or timer. Running 12 hours/day is enough. Run it at night; it will be more efficient then (cooler, higher humidity).
Writing full time since 2014.
"Rigging Modern Anchors,"Seaworthy Press, https://www.amazon.com/Rigging-Modern-A ... 1948494078
Book Store. http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2017/ ... store.html
Iriemon
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Re: suggestions for improving winter ventilation

Post by Iriemon »

A de-humidifier might be the best bet if you leave your boat plugged in and powered. I don't think it would be an option when you are on battery power. I think you best bet if you don't want to be plugged in all the time is are to install a couple solar vents to keep the air circulating. Adding one to our old 35 Hunter made a *huge* difference in mold and mildew issues down in Miami. I could easily tell if there was a problem with the vent because mold would start growing like crazy within just a few days if it wasn't working. Otherwise it was barely an issue.

However, we get ample sunlight down in SoFla. I'm not sure how well they'd work after a couple clouding weeks in the Northwest.
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