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> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 1:57 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: more market research and leaky ports
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
On Aug 12, 2009, at 12:14 PM, <htmills@zoominternet.net> wrote:
If you forget to dog it down, it'll fly open going down the road...
-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Bill Wickett Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 1:10 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: more market research and leaky ports
Has anyone converted their M17 forward hatch to a rear hinged version? Either flipping the existing one around or putting in an aftermarket hatch.
Pros and cons besides improved air flow at anchor?
Thanks,
Bill Wickett M17 #622
On Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 12:51 PM, Tom Jenkins <tjenk@gte.net> wrote:
Just to add to Joe's experience, I have had my Nor'Sea 31 years, and have never had a leak in the 9 portlights. I was told by the factory to alternate tighhtening the dogs to ensure that the window would not deform, and it apparently worked. I have replaced all the gaskets only once, about 5 years ago. My conclusion? A quality bronze port looks great, lets in air, and does not leak if operated properly. Poorly made ports are junk and should be recycled. As for my M17, the ports have had no greenwater test, but they have been through prolonged heavy rain with no leaks. My conclusion concerning ventilation is to have opening ports and a rear-hinged forward hatch, using a boom tent so the main hatch can be open during rain in hot weather. I also like the idea of some type of makeshift device to shed rainwater off an open port.
Tom Jenkins M17 Scintilla
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob From California" < ocean37@hotmail.com> To: "Monty Listserver" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: M_Boats: more market research and leaky ports
Hi Joe....
I never had complaints about my portlites on the Nor'Sea 27. They never leaked. When I built them (assembled them from pieces that were cast off my match-plates and molds, I would send them to the burnisher's for 5 days of tumbling to smooth and polish the bronze)....
Before I drilled the holes for the Bronze Shaft I installed the new gaskets (custom made by Goodyear tire and rubber) I had a fixture that would press the frame into the spigot and compress the rubber gasket using a large vise. I would drill the holes and tap the shaft home. Worked like a charm. I built 2100 of them.
Bob Eeg
Building Lyle C. Hess Sailing vessels
From: seagray@embarqmail.com
To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:47:09 -0400 Subject: Re: M_Boats: more market research and leaky ports
I've seen quite a few comments about concerns that opening ports will eventually leak. I had a NorSea 27 aft cabin with 9 (count 'em) 9 opening ports. When I sold her last summer she was 17 years old and not one single port leaked. I made sure they were dogged down properly which means alternating the tighteneing sequence from one dog to the other and not cranking one down all the way tight before tightening the other, like torqueing down a valve cover. I never had problems with the seals. During the five years I owned SeaGray, I opened each port and cleaned the seals with vinegar and put a light coat of mineral oil. Vaseline is a killer. NEVER use it. I have 4 opening ports on my M17, Seafrog, and so far, so good. You do have to remember to wipe up any water on the outside before opening them, as they do tend to accumulate a couple of ounces of rain/dew. As I mentioned before, I wouldn't have a boat without them. It's amazing how much air comes through a 6" hole. One tip I got from reading one of the Pardey books was to get a 6" plastic flower pot and cut out about a third of one side. Stuff it in the port upside down and you have ventilation if it rains. Regarding dorades. I've been very lucky to crew on a number of delivery passages on some really nice yachts. (Nothing like being on a boat that you'll never own with the owner a thousand miles away) Anyway, I never found one boat with a dorade that ever provided more than a baby's breath of air unless the wind was over 20kts. Granted they would help a teensy bit if it was raining where you couldn't have a hatch open but I don't recall that many nights of rain and when it did rain it was usually over in a few hours at most. I still prefer a forward opening hatch. And if that isn't enough a wind shoot is the answer to a poor man's air conditioning. Joe Seafrog M17
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