Dorade and Vents

[Buddy Gold]

I lost one of my vents and can not find the right replacement. I have a Nicro Marine NF 27200 rain trap with a male end but all the vents seem to have male ends also.

[Stu Jackson]

Same thing happened to me in 2011.  I couldn't find the original Vetus replacements, so I got two new different manufacturer's whole units.  I wrote a tech note in 2005 about it with details.

https://c34.org/mainsheet/pdf/Aug_2005.pdf

[waughoo]

I just replaced my Nicro vent boxes (cowls were LONG gone before I boght the boat) with Vetus TBoxes and Chinook cowls.  They look quite nice now that they are in place!

[scgunner]

I gave up on the dorades quite awhile ago, I found them a pain to keep clean, I don't think they move much air, and they have a tendency to foul the jib sheets when tacking, occasionally popping off so you had to chase them over the deck before they could find their way over the side.

I replaced them with solar vents, with their fans they probably move a little more air, they streamline the deck, and they're zero maintenance. I have seen a couple of C34s on my gangway who removed the dorades altogether and covered the holes with a sheet of plastic.

[waughoo]

I have seen a couple of C34s on my gangway who removed the dorades altogether and covered the holes with a sheet of plastic.

Well... that is certainly ONE option. 

[Buddy Gold]

Did you find a particular vent that was the exact match to replace the dorade.

[waughoo]

I went with a full new setup (vetus TBox and Chinook vents).  The install calls for a larger deck penetration than what is there, but i decided i wasnt up fro drilling a larger hole there.  Mine fit nicely on the deck boss and look to me quite nice. 

[Buddy Gold]

Is there any sort of water trap?  Looks nice

[waughoo]

There is a stainless cap that goes over the deck mounted "tripod" looking thing.  That stainless cap can be raised or lowered to increase or decrease ventilation.  The cap allows the water to shed over the vent and run out under the dorade box. 

[shehant]

Waughoo -- trying to figure out something similar.  Does that mean you have nothing running through the "hole" in the deck, and instead its all above deck?

Looking at the TBOX or the DJBOX and trying to determine which one would be the right way to go (also have a 1990 model)

[shehant]

Also, dumb question, but how did you get the mushroom top off? Does the star head screw thing come out (didnt want to force it...)

There is a stainless cap that goes over the deck mounted "tripod" looking thing.  That stainless cap can be raised or lowered to increase or decrease ventilation.  The cap allows the water to shed over the vent and run out under the dorade box. 

[ewengstrom]

I did source the original Vetus vents and base much like Alex did. I'm rather partial to the original look....but, I found that the vents are a bit too flexible for me and as others have stated I was always worried about the traveler line or jib sheets snatching one and tossing it over the side.
I solved this problem by sourcing a stiffer piece of plastic and glued it inside the vent at the bottom so that it's MUCH more difficult to remove each vent without actually unscrewing the vent from the base. I'm pretty sure I used a piece off of a black drain pipe or one of the associated fittings sold for them, it's the corrugated kind used for drainage around your house for the insert, I just remember taking the vent to Lowes/Home Depot and noodling around until I found something that fit well.
I'll try to get a picture and post it for this thread when I'm at the boat next.

[waughoo]

I'd be interested in seeing a picture.  I have already lost one overboard when a jib sheet lassoed the cowel picked it up off the dorade box and tossed it overboard.  It was entertaining to watch really, but I was bummed to have to buy another cowel.

[Noah]

Years ago I bought these dorade vents to replace my original Nico vents and they are still working very well. https://air-onlyventilators.com/shop/
When I bought them the company was located in Malta. Now they are in Ukraine. So, while they seem to still be in business who knows. Search here on the forum and you should find some write-ups/posts I made, with photos.

[Ron Hill]

Guys : After all these years I finally got tired of my 4" vents looking crummy and spent the $$ for stainless steel vents!!  They look great and are Maintenance FREE !!

A thought