Ss dorade cowl protector

[Bob Lasser]

Natty B, 87 Catalina 34 #412
If my main jibes unexpectedly, my mainsheet, get tangled around my cowls and often pulls them out. I have seen ss tripods placed over the dorade and cowl to protect them. Where do I find a supplier?

[dave davis]

Instead of fighting all the problems with the air vent cowls, I decided to get rid of the air scoop part and strip off the plastic mounts.  You will end up with a much lower air vent made out of stainless which is easy to keep clean, which has a low profile  and will not get caught in your jib sheets, and in my opinion, looks much nicer. It will still be water tight. The amount of air opening is the same but some may argue that the wind angle can no longer be controlled or directed. How many skippers direct the wind angle anyway.
Good sailing, Dave

[Mike Smith]

Hi Bob -

Here is a link for the dorade guard you are interested in. I really like the way they look with stainless cowls.

Mike

Mike and Jan Smith
S/V Breezer WCX8545
www.mikejansmith.com

[Jkar]

Am I the only one that takes them off for sailing?  After one jibe and watching it go kerplukt in the drink, I decided that when reading to go out, sail cover comes off, cowles come off, instument covers off.... when I come back in, 5 min to put everything back in place.  Have done it this way now for 5 years, and haven't lost another cowle since?

[Ted Pounds]

I've been taking mine off in reefing conditions after also watching one go "kerplukt".  Probably a good idea to take them off all the time when racing. When I'm cruising in lighter air I think they help keep the cabing ventilated (althogh maybe the not significantly)

Ted

[lazybones]

How about installing a short pendant made out of SS fishing leader braid?  Attach one end to the cowl and the other end to the deck fitting.  Run it internally so that its out of sight.  If you make it about a foot long it should allow the cowl to pop off but not go overboard.

[Ted Pounds]

Aldo,

Great idea!  I think I'll try to rig something like that.  Have you actutally done it? Or did you just now think of it?

Ted

[Stu Jackson]

I've whopped the vents any number of times.  Never had one come off.  Guess I'm lucky.

Thanks for the idea and heads up.

Stu

[natty b]

Update: Thanks for all the ideas. I do use a preventer when I can. I have considered reducing the height of the dorade/cowl.
I ordered the ss rings for the dorade/cowl from Vetus. I will also paint them as they are getting a little shabby. Rustoleum makes a plastic.\/vinyl primer that I have purchased, then you apply the std Rustoleum paint.  As for the cowl protector. I can't see spending $300-400 for them. Thanks for the name of a company that makes them. The base of the dorade box (where it attaches to the deck) has 6 screws. My plan is to have someone locally fabricate a tripod using 3 of those six holes. Considering the way the dorade box was mounted, I will fill the old holes in the deck and redrill new ones so I can untilize screws at 2-6-10 o'clock for mounting. Thanks for all the imput. Still open for ideas.

[rwilkinsii]

Bob,
   I just replaced my cowls with the ones from vetus and i spent 35ish for each. They bolt down differently and appear not to be able to be yanked off the deck. You might want to try them. They are teh Jerry's if i recall correctly you can't beat the price for new cowls.

Good Luckhttp://www.vetus.com/frame-cat.htm

Rich Wilkins
Watergate Marina
Houston Tx
86 c34
S/V Lil' Tiger
rwilkinsii@yahoo.com
Geaux Tigers!!

[natty b]

Guys: I have replaced the cowls about three years ago. Trust me, the new ones will yank out also, even with the plastic, 6 screw retaining ring. My new ones have gold colored stains on them (guano, I guess) I will paint them as I described. I had the two instrument pods on the pedestal painted at a body shop about 4 or 5 years ago and they still look great. Need to use a vinyl paint or vinyl primer then Rustoleum.