Issue 19 : Jul/Aug 2001
My wife, Colleen, and I cruise our Danish-built LM 27 each year from the middle of June until the end of August. Normally we explore the wilderness coast of British Columbia, which we feel is probably the best cruising area in the world. We have also spent time in the San Juan Islands and have gone as far as Alaska.
Because we’re on our boat for long periods of time, we find it convenient to sleep in the V-berth. This way it’s not necessary to take apart our bed each day. The only problem we had was excessive condensation forming overnight on the overhead. To correct this problem, I constructed a very simple vent that fits into the forward hatch.
I wanted one that would fold up and store out of the way when we were traveling. The vent I built can be made easily using common materials. First, get some cardboard and make a full-size template to fit under your hatch, making sure to take into account any curvature of the deck. Purchase the necessary 1⁄4-inch plastic sheet from any plastic supply shop, lay out your template, and cut the three pieces. Cut a piece of stainless steel piano hinge to size, position it on either side of the center piece, drill the holes, and pop rivet the hinges in place with stainless steel pop rivets. Next, pop rivet the side pieces to the other half of the hinge. I purchased a building foundation vent from a building supply store. Make sure it’s the correct size to fit on the center panel and that it has a fine screen on the inside to keep out unwanted bugs. With a steel cutting blade in your jigsaw, cut a hole in the center panel, lay a bead of sealer around the opening, and screw the vent in place.
That’s it. Enjoy many nights of restful sleep.
Lorne and Colleen cruise the northwest North American continent on their LM 27, Shaunsea.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
