Cowl vents

[Todd Reese]

What do you prefer in upgrading/replacing the cowl vents.  We have '90.  Are the standard, traditional cowl vents what people are using or are there other alternatives?

[Ron Hill]

Todd : Are you talking about the Cowl vents for the blower or the Dorade vents for the main cabin??   

[Todd Reese]

The Dorade vents for the main cabin.

[Rick Johnson]

I'm still working on this project....

Cheers,

Rick

[Stu Jackson]

See the August 2005 Mainsheet for my article on dorade cowl replacement.

[Stephen Butler]

Rick, your installation looks great!  We have the standard cowls on our 1990, and except for a twice yearly cleaning, have no problems with them...no caught lines, lost cowls, etc.  We will no doubt stay with our factory setup until forced to change, but your project has us definitely thinking.  Who knew one could have "cowl envy?"

[Rick Johnson]

I still cannot decide on how to do the forward section between the dorade and the deck.  I think I'll go by a model shop and buy some balsa wood to use for a mock-up.  I was thinking I would go with teak for the final version, but some of my boat neighbors have suggested StarBoard.  I have decided that I'll go with the ABI Stainless Steel low profile vents...  It should give my C34 a bit of a different look....

Cheers,

Rick

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

Some people also use the 4 inch Nicro solar vents.

[Jon Schneider]

I went with the 4" low profile stainless vents from e-marine (http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/hardware/lowprofile.html) and the round "Newport" dorade boxes on my 1990 C34.  The dorades fit perfectly over the existing mushroom vents.  They look great; I like the unpretentious (IMO) look of the fiberglass dorades that seem to be practically built into the existing deck. 

[Jon Schneider]

PS: The dorade boxes can be found at the same company, e-marine: http://www.e-marine-inc.com/products/hardware/newport.html

[Ron Hill]

Jon : How about a picture of your installation - sounds interesting !   

[clifford Rieders]

I lost one of mine overboard. I had painted both of the originals with the bronze engine paint and hence they matched the teak nicely. Was a cool and inexpensive improvement. I can't seem to find a new one however, since mine were 3 /14 inches and all the new ones are for 3 inch openings. Cliff c34, tall rig, 1990, #1022

[clifford Rieders]

Jon, I am not sure what the new Dorade went over. You just removed the vent and the dorage went over the existing "dorage" with a new vent? As someone asked, any photo? Cliff c34, 1990, tall rig

[Jon Schneider]

Okay Ron and Cliff, here are some pix.  I couldn't compress them enough to fit more than one per post, so I'll make a few different postings. 

[Jon Schneider]

and another