Dale Niemann Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I am completely closing the forward side seat compartments. I have heard that a small hole should be made somewhere so that pressure will equalize within the compartment as it heats and cools. Any suggestions as to what size the hole should be? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edt Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I think its a bad idea to completely close a compartment. I would install a small access port. If you put in a small hole eventually water will get in. Without an access port you will never _know_ what it is doing. With an access port you can see and no longer need or want that small hole. Just my opinion Ed Tomlinson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dunsworth Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 I wouldn't do that. If you get water in there it would stay. Can you put a round deck plate on the side or top somewhere. So when you store the boat you can remove it for ventilation? I am sure you know they come in sizes 4" to 8 or 10. I used the 6 inch ones on the Penobscot 14 floation chambers I built. When I got done sailing I would unscrew the opening for ventilation. If your worried about pressure, you can always unscrew the lid a quarter turn. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Williams Posted October 31, 2005 Report Share Posted October 31, 2005 Here's what I did: I glued a small piece of 1/4" plywood (as a doubler) on the inside of my seat bouancy compartments (4 total) in a corner that will drain into the cockpit. I then drilled an oversized holes through the seat sides/ doubler, filled with thickened epoxy, and then drilled and tapped 1/4-20 holes. Before I glued on the seat tops, I faired the inside of the bouancy compartment with thickened epoxy to remove any steps and ensure any trapped water would flow to the holes. I bought some pan head 1/4-20 bronze screws, slipped O-rings over the shanks and screwed them in. The O-rings are squeezed between the screw heads and the outside of the seat side. In the fall, when I winter the boat, I plan to remove the screws and let the compartments dry out. I'll post a picture if you want to see them. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Niemann Posted November 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2005 Thanks everyone for your feedback. What is so great about this forum is all the helpful folks out there. I really appreciate your feedback. Because of all the comments, I have decided not to drill any holes and to opt for a 8" deck hatch mounted on the seat side. I actually had seen this setup on Graham's CS17 when he was here for the WaterTribe in March. I didn't think I would need the extra storage so was going to take the cheap route. However, in light of my thoughts on pressure and your comments I will go for the hatches. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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