Pilothouse ventilation

[Bidgood]

It gets pretty warm in Florida in the summer. So although I was enjoying my FC30 all winter while most of the AOG was shoveling out, I need a workable solution to the heat buildup in the pilot house while at cruise speed (18mph). When on the Gulf of Mexico in rougher seas the pilothouse is wet and wipers are needed. So we keep the forward and windward windows are closed. We are going to need some serious ventilation that doesn't let the spray in. I know that the Hinkleys have two hatches in the pilothouse that face forward. They obviously do not have the spray opportunity (I like that word!) that we do going 40 mph on top of the waves. Has anyone found a real workable solution to this? We would like air but no water. Perhaps a rearward facing hatch in the roof of the pilothouse. I do not want to reinvent the wheel if it has already been done. IDEAS?

[DougSea]

I had considered something along the lines of the pilothouse roof mounted, rearward opening hatches for our 28. It can get very warm and if it's raining or rough out then opening the forward windshield was just not practical.

I thought I'd probably go with two 12x12 hatches with screens, one over each pilothouse seat. For "heavy seas" I was thinking of adding a piece of starboard to help deflect any water running aft from the forward roof edge, but I'd wait and see if that was really needed.

You could also look at adding a side mounted dorade box, which allows a vent to face forward but drains any water away. (the box would be hidden in the space behind the side of the house) You'll often see the cowl scoops on a sailboat mounted to a dorade box, and your engine vents are most likely very similar. Now that I'm thinking about it this could be very effective and would allow you to drive a decent amount of air through the pilothouse.

[fairtide]

While I have not done this, does it seem reasonable to install one or two 12v fans in the wheelhouse. I have seen these used as defoggers for windshields aboard as well as on buses, RVs, etc. The fans can be adjusted for where you want the air stream. Some may have several speeds.

[Bidgood]

I have fans, and they move the air well, but I really need outside air. I did find these vented hatches:
http://www.pompanette.com/pompweb.nsf/7 ... enDocument

The manufacturer claims 850 cfm in a 6 mph breeze. I am still checking on the price, I bet they are really expensive... and I will look for some real performance data.

The side Dorade box may be the answer along with two std hatches for when things are dry.

Thanks for the input!

Tom L.

[DougSea]

... http://www.pompanette.com/pompweb.nsf/7 ... enDocument

The manufacturer claims 850 cfm in a 6 mph breeze. I am still checking on the price, I bet they are really expensive... and I will look for some real performance data.

Well, Defender has one of them on closeout (10x10) for "only" $450!

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... 7&id=47853

I'm guessing they could get you 2...but they are pricey!

[skye peak]

I have installed a ~5x12 forward opening bomar in the center of the roof back 3 feet from the leading edge of the roof. Unless it's so snotty I shouldn't be out anyway it does not take spray from normal
seas of up to 3 feet. It's lower profile than the square hatches doesn't catch as much air but the
helm seat gets plenty. I have a 35 TE by the way.