For many years now, on board a cruising catamaran, the cockpit has been the most frequented living area. On board the Lady, the installation of the solar park had already significantly increased the comfort of this space, which had become insensitive to rainfall since the staircase was condemned.
Side panels to avoid tropical rain
The installation of translucent side panels completed the transformation of this area into a living space that can be used in almost any weather, at anchor or at sea. Only a heavy rain coming from the back can deprive the crew of the quietness of this space.
We almost doubled the surface of the "square" by adding this "veranda". With only a handful of euros and a few hours of labor, the result was spectacular.
Ventilation has become mandatory
However, this time again, a slight inconvenience added a few lines to the "must-do list": there was a lack of fresh air.
The temperature climbed in our super veranda, exactly at the same time as the sun rose in the sky, until it became the hottest place on the boat.
The veranda was becoming a greenhouse and it made my heart feel tight.
Recover fresh air from under the basket
I resolved to capture the fresh air that circulates permanently under the cockpit. This air is fresh for two reasons: first, it is in the shade, and second, it accelerates as it passes under the nacelle, which lowers the temperature felt.
The Lady has two large trunks opening onto the deck, just forward of the windshield. These volumes offer a front face suitable for mounting two small deck panels, recovered during the remodeling of the cockpit.
Thus, even in heavy rain, a lot of fresh air, but never water, enters through these obstructible openings, and this air is then distributed throughout the boat through judiciously placed vents. Of course, these "under pod" openings are hermetically closed before going to sea.
Ventilation for the cockpit
The fresh air intake in the saloon is thus quite substantial, but remains insufficient to cool the "cockpit" area too far back. I completed the device by making a "snorkel" in plastic tube, with an erectile part that comes out under the basket at anchor and that we retract before going to sea.
Last "ventilatory" refinements, two side scoops, with aeronautical looks, located at the level of the roof, complete this device which gives, at present, great satisfaction.
In the next episode, the author brings a conclusion on his choice of motor catamaran .
You can find the complete story of Dominique Montesinos from which the above text is extracted, on "La belle et le bouchon gras" .
