Dorade box enlargement...

[scgunner]

Alex,

It's your boat of course, but I'd be reluctant to cut holes in my boat, especially for something as ineffective as those deck top dorades. I think I'd look for something to fit the application rather than modify(cut) the application to fit a replacement part. I replaced mine with 4" solar vents which fit without modification. The dorades are only unidirectional, don't seem to move much air, and have an annoying tendency to catch a jib sheet when tacking. The solar vents can draw air from all directions, have a fan to help move air,  and have a low profile which won't foul the jib sheets.

[waughoo]

Yes... the hole drilling project does not have me excited.  I already have the new dorade boxes and cowls.  The ones i bought are rotateable by losening the screw collar and positioning them to another orientation (to allow for wind vaning).  I considered the solar vent style but we just arent in that sunny of a climate.

I figure i will mount what i have over the existing hole despite it being small (this is actually what vetus said to do).  Ill use them like they are and then can decide if i want to change them sometime in the future.

[Baysider]

I'm looking at the Air-only Dorades for my 1990 c34.  It turns out that they are not in Malta at this time but are in Ukraine.  I contacted them and they're still in operation, but they have to truck units out of Ukraine and get them on a plane at that point.  They're a tough bunch.  My question to Noah is, are the wood rings structural or ornamentation?  Ok two questions...where did you get them?

[Noah]

I needed the wood rings for sizing/spacers. They are a standard teak winch mounting ring. You should be able to find them at any well stocked chandlery. However, you may not need them depending on how the Air-Only bases  fit your deck hole and how you fill/hide old screw holes. Get the Air Only vents first then see.

[Baysider]

Thanks Noah, I will do that.  Thanks for the info!