Lost Dorade / seek replacement

Kevin Henderson · August 25, 2013, 06:06:42 PM

Went out for a nice sail today and lo and behold... for the first time... The jib line decided to decapitate my Dorade vent cowling. I Really had become fond of that stupid thing after the restoration work I did to it. (See my previous post regarding dorades) And... OBTW... Those things do not float worth a S#!t.

I need to find a single replacement. I'm not certain however if I were to order the Catalina Direct replacement of that will satisfy what I have lost. If you notice my picture I have attached, You will notice that I have (had) a slip ring that attached the vent to the base. Does anybody have any suggestions what I should do? Aesthetically... Pau Hana looks a little "One Eyed" right now and I am anxious to correct her condition.

Ralph Masters · August 26, 2013, 07:56:29 AM

Kevin,
If you put mask and snorkle on you can find about three of those strung around the bottom of the south bay left by me. I have taken to removing mine while sailing because replacing them has gotten expensive. It's always been the port one, three times now. Same thing, jib sheet.

Ralph

Ron Hill · August 26, 2013, 09:03:35 AM

Kevin : You need to contact Vetus (410)712-0740 (or go to Vetus online) and order a 4" Dorade cowl. I think it is a "Tom". It looks like yours is a screw on. Don't know is you still have the screw on ring or not.

I replaced both of my plastic with stainless. Hope this helps

Kevin Henderson · August 26, 2013, 09:23:20 AM

Thanks Ron. I think you're right that it is the Vetus "TOM" 4". And yes... the slip ring went swimming as well.

I have previously thought about going stainless, but as Ralph has also indicated, it could become astronomically expensive.
Along this same line of thought.... What's the consensus out there? As Ralph has indicated, he simply removes his cowls to go sailing. That thought occurred to me yesterday albeit too late. I was also wondering. Can a person simply turn the cowling around facing aft so as not to create the lip that the Jib sheet can catch on? Or is it simply my sloppy sail handling (lack of) skills.
Inquiring minds want to know.

Stu Jackson · August 26, 2013, 10:02:43 AM

Here's what I did: http://www.c34.org/mainsheet/pdf/Aug_2005.pdf

We keep ours turned outboard. Two reasons: keeps green water over the bow from going down an open one, and our slip has the wind coming sideways so provides good ventilation when we're not there.

Les Luzar · August 26, 2013, 10:06:35 AM

Kevin,
You can certainly turn the dorade vents around when you go sailing if it is a concern of yours. That would seen a bit easier than removing them every time you go sailing. However, I do not think that the sheet line will knock one off that frequently. I have had my boat for 8 years, in Long Beach, where it blows 10 to 18 frequently, and that has never happened to me and I go sailing almost every weekend.... (hope this is not my famous last words!).

lazybone · August 26, 2013, 10:17:57 AM

I have never had it happen but...
I put a screw with a length of thin stainless fishing leader braid internally that keeps them attached to the base. They can get knocked off but they just dangle around till fixed.

Sort of like the chain that holds the fuel/water fill deck fittings.

Stu Jackson · August 26, 2013, 10:31:07 AM

Quote from: lazybone on August 26, 2013, 10:17:57 AM
I have never had it happen but...
I put a screw with a length of thin stainless fishing leader braid internally that keeps them attached to the base. They can get knocked off but they just dangle around till fixed.

Sort of like the chain that holds the fuel/water fill deck fittings.

Actually a MUCH BETTER solution. Those chains tend to fail, and we suggest that skippers remove the chains and place the deck fittings on the deck. Beats losing one of those fittings, which may not be available anymore from CD.

patrice · August 26, 2013, 10:48:19 AM

Hi,

happened to me last summer, while I was putting the sail cover after a nice sailling day.
I hit it with my feet as I turned around, and saw it going PLOUFFF.

As you mentioned, not cheap for one.

But I like the trick with a line attach to it.

Ron Hill · August 26, 2013, 11:33:23 AM

Guys : I've never caught a sheet line on a dorade vent since I've owned the boat in 1989!!

When we tack, the person at the wheel makes sure the "lazy" sheet line slack is taken up so that that line clears the dink on deck or doesn't catch the Vberth hatch lip (which it can and will).
Maybe that's why the my lazy sheet line doesn't whip around and knock off the dorade?!?

Another thought is that the lazy sheet line when slack, can and will whip against the side dodger window and leave marks on that Plexiglas.

A few thoughts

Ken Juul · August 26, 2013, 03:20:45 PM

When it finally happens to me, I'm going with Nicro vents with the solar fan. Low profile so won't get caught again. May cost a bit more...but I don't think that much.

RobertSchuldenfrei · August 27, 2013, 01:51:44 PM

Quote from: lazybone on August 26, 2013, 10:17:57 AM
I have never had it happen but...
I put a screw with a length of thin stainless fishing leader braid internally that keeps them attached to the base. They can get knocked off but they just dangle around till fixed.

Sort of like the chain that holds the fuel/water fill deck fittings.

Hi Forum Participants,

You people are so quick. Here is a problem I have fixed with the same approach. You will note from the pictures that one of our POs (and there have been three of them) installed the Dorade mounting up side down. This is not a problem, but I wonder why it was done. After having lost one, I installed the stainless line. Twice now they have been knocked off, but the line held and the Dorade was saved.

Cheers,

Bob

Kevin Henderson · August 27, 2013, 03:35:23 PM

I've got 2 Vetus 4" TOM2 replacement vent cowlings on their way to me right now. (Thanks Ron)

I have been thinking of ways to McGyver some flotation but I really like the arrangement Bob just offered with a type of restraining line. I think I'll try that.

However... as it has been suggested I need to tune up my line handling with the Lazy Sheet.

and I think that for precaution, I'll turn the vents around while sailing.

Ron Volk · August 27, 2013, 05:53:31 PM

Kevin,

Another option, which might be extreme, is adding stainless guards for the dorades. Check my post from June of 2011, (search: 'dorade and traveler upgrade' and then hit 'upgrade' to see my post with pictures. This was a post thanking you for your post talking about using Rustoleum plastic spray paint to restore the dorades.

TonyP · August 28, 2013, 02:50:32 AM

Here it is

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6495.msg42378/topicseen.html#msg42378

Yes it's the way to go ...
I thought they would have been standard.
Already on our boat

Tony