Dorade Vent Grilles.

On early Freeports, pre-1980, there was flex hose running from the cabin-top dorade vents to deliver air down into the engine room area. In many cases, bilge blowers were also fitted, under the cockpit, for air extraction from the same area. The hose from the dorade to the engine room was hidden behind cabinetry over the berth area. It was a good system which kept the engine compartment and and bilge well ventilated but, around 1980 as Islander looked for ways to cut costs, the blowers, vent hoses and cabinetry were eliminated. The dorade vents were retained but were left open directly into the cabin! 

A teak trim ring was installed where the dorade comes through the head liner to address the cosmetic problem of holes in the cabin roof but there was no way to control airflow through it, other than rotating the dorade away from the apparent wind!

Even with the dorades rotated away from the obvious wind direction there was still a draft! Also, naturally, the wind clocks round when we are at the slip and so periodic adjustment of the dorade was an ongoing chore to avoid those unwanted drafts. While this direct airflow into the cabin was a nice feature in hot weather, it most definitely wasn't good when the temperature dropped and was particularly irritating with the vent over the Admiral's side of the Pullman berth!

What to do? The answer was very simple and inexpensive.....once we found a suitable adjustable vent grille. 

4 inch Sea Dog Butterfly Vent Grille

While mooching around the West Marine on-line store we saw an ideal solution. Made by Sea Dog, these chromed brass vent grilles were perfect. With one of our WM discount slips we got them for less than $3 each! What a deal.

Vent Grill open.

Vent Grille closed.

Who would have thought that  a couple of such small parts would have such an impact on cabin comfort? The grilles aren't completely airtight and with them closed and the dorade facing into the wind there was still a hint of air coming through, but with the dorade rotated away from the wind the grilles stop the drafts completely.