my folk's choey lee had a 'two way' forward hatch. can't think of one time it was used 'facing aft' ... always set so the hatch would catch air coming across the bow. dave scobie M17 #375 - SWEET PEA visit SWEET PEA's www-site: http://www.m17-375.webs.com --- On Wed, 8/12/09, Joe Murphy <seagray@embarqmail.com> wrote: The hatch on my last boat hinged both ways. I tried it with the hinge on the front ..... once! I hinged it from the rear so it would open face forward and there was no comparison. I left it hinged that way for the remaining 5 years. Even if I wasn't sleeping, it provided enough breeze to work in the cabin and even the galley. Now, having said that, the cabin size on the M17 is considerably smaller and a draft approach may work. I haven't slept in it yet but when I spent the better part of a week installing electrics, I had to have a fan. The only time I got a breeze what when the wind was coming from behind.... and I think most of that came through the companionway. Joe Seafrog ps .. but I will have my wind shoot just in case. jm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Audsley" <haudsley@tranquility.net> Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 1:57 PM
On the rear opening version, in a breeze, with the boat anchored and the bow swinging into the wind, I find the wind creates some negative pressure behind the partially opened hatch and it draws pretty well. Air flows forward, up and out, vs. down and in. I actually prefer that at night. And we are talking all of 3 feet of distance........but it sure makes a difference in the comfort level on warm evenings.
Howard