Hi All,
Problem One:
As Small Wonder sits in her slip from Sunday through Friday all closed up,
she gets quite warm (We can't retire just yet, so thanks ahead of time for
that suggestion). A little recording thermometer we leave on board always
shows it was between 102 - 105 F. Part of this, we're sure, is from the low
sun blazing through the front windows (no curtains). We plan to get covers
for them shortly. We are also thinking that one of those solar/battery
ventilators (Nicro 3000) installed in the hatch above the forward berth will
help.
Suggestions on the viability of this plan or alternatives are welcomed.

Problem Two:
Related somewhat to Problem One, but requiring additional solution, the
refrigerator (NovaKool 12V/110V) doesn't get cool very quickly when the boat
is very warm (like when we show up with a cooler of food). The fridge is
installed in a cabinet with a ventilation slot about an inch and a half high
by the width of the unit along the top of the back of the cabinet. This is
probably adequate for the PNW, but not for where we are. We know that we
need to remove the hot air and replace it with cooler air, we just don't
know what the best approach should be:

1. Install a fan to bring air from the salon into the area behind the fridge
   and exhaust it into the lazerrette?
2. Pull cooler air from below deck and exhaust into the salon?
3. Pull from outside and exhaust to outside?
   Experiences with this problem will be greatly appreciated.

--
HNick&Sherri&SmallWonder (HNMorgan@mindspring.com)

Hi Nick,

Hope you are having fun with your new boat.

A boat with as much glass area as you have in your main cabin is bound to
become hot.  My Prairie is similar in design to your boat so our heat
problems are probably similar.  I have curtains on all windows and keep them
closed when I'm off the boat and closed as much as possible when I'm on the
boat and the sun is out.  I use a cover for the windshield almost all the
time when the sun is out and I'm not at the lower station.  I have two, one
that is netting and allows me to see through but helps keep the sun out and
one that I can't see through at all.  The other source of heat is the
forward hatch over the v-berth area.  I keep a cover similar to the
windshield cover that is put on the inside frame with snaps.  Unless the
hatch is open, that cover is on.  It makes a big difference even though my
see-through hatch is tinted.  As soon as I anchor I open the hatch to allow
air in.  It is amazing how cool the forward cabin becomes as compared to the
main cabin even when the day has been Chesapeake hot.  I have anchored out
during many Chesapeake hot spells and have never been uncomfortable at night
in the forward cabin.  I have been uncomfortable in the main cabin during a
hot spell.  To keep cool I hook up the hose to the fresh water supply and
take a quick shower in the cockpit.  A few quarts of water really cool one
down quickly.

I have no advice about your refrigerator.  My Norcold has little ventilation
and I am considering cutting some holes in the top of the cabinet for
precisely the reason you stated.  I did buy a battery powered fan to
exchange air in the back of the refrigerator, but I really didn't notice
much change.  Perhaps a 12 volt fan would be the answer.  If you have
airconditioning to turn on a day ahead of a cruise, that certainly would
help.  Another thing that helps is a cooler for all the liquids and
container goods.  We keep a cooler filled with stuff in the cockpit.  With
our small refrigerator, we couldn't get along without it.  I have an
icemaker which makes it easy to supply ice when at the dock.  I have no
generator to make ice under way, but I'd sure like one.

Good cruising,

Herb Hoffman
My Tyme
Prairie 29
Kent Island, MD