Forward deck hatch vent

[davidwigler]

It's going down to the upper 30s tonight and reminded me that last winter it was really cold in the captain's quarters because the small vent built into the top of the escape hatch does not seal well at all. Eventually I planned to replace the whole thing with a good looking Bomar hatch to let in more light, but for now I was thinking about filling the little vent with spray foam. I guess the purpose of the little vent is to get some ventilation even in the rain, but we never used the little vent anyway and we are in a covered slip most of the time. Any other ideas?

 

[eze2bme]

If your forward hatch/vent has a hinged screen on the inside of the cabin why not just tape polyethelene to the screen frame to stop the drafts? Much easier, can be removed in hot weather and does not destroy the existing hatch.

 

[Angela]

First...like I tell Ed, you live in the wrong latitude. 30° on a Hatt is just wrong!!! We just got our first cold front down herein South Florida and we're loving it - windows and hatches open; no AC running. Anyway, enough of the jabbing... Winter here is my favorite time of year.

Can you stick a piece of cut foam or styrofoam inside that vent so that it's hidden, but keeps the cold out? If your vent is like mine (an ordinary store-bought vent that I replace from time to time because it eventually rusts and becomes ugly, though no one but me can see it), then you should be able to unscrew it (2 screws) and stick some insulation of your choosing over the vent, and re-install it. Come warm weather, just remove whatever you put in there to plug the vent. I would not do anything permanent such as spray foam in there because while you have intentions of replacing it at this moment, sometimes other things pop up and steal your time and then next thing you know, it's spring or summer and you wish that vent would open.

 

[bigbill]

david, on my last 2 hatterases, i cut a piece of aluminum the size of the vent, painted it white, and put it where the vent would normally go. i used a bead of silicone around the outside edge to make a good seal. no more draft, and no more mildew around the vent. if i ever decide to use the vent, i can put it back, and discard the flat piece of aluminum. when i want fresh air, i just open the whole hatch. bigbill

 

[davidwigler]

Thanks for the great ideas. I think I'll remove the vent and cut a piece of white plexiglass to caulk and screw over the opening. The vent is rusty and inoperable anyway, so someday if the mood hits me I can replace the vent. Thanks again!