Solar vent installation

[Pfisher]

Hi! I have a Cutwater 28 2015. I just bought a Marino solar vent 4", and I need some advice before installing it. If I drill a hole in the cabin roof next to one of the hatches, I will have to drill through the fiberglass shell and the interior ceiling ( a soft white foam material). Will this work? Are there any electrical or other lines running in that ceiling that I might damage by my drilling? Does anyone know if the vent will accommodate that extra thickness?
One alternative apparently is to install in in the center of a hatch. Can I safely drill a hole in the hatch? Are the hatches acrylic and can I wind up cracking and ruining the hatch?
Finally, does anyone have an opinion about using polyurethane sealant ( compound 5200) on acrylic; one source says it is a No go, another says it is ok and preferred.

Thanks for whatever advice you guys can give me before I get started!

Paul :roll:

 

[knotflying]

The hatch is glass so that is a no go. Go either to the port side of starboard side of the hatch. I would (have not installed one on my boat) center it in one of those areas. For the most part there should not be any wires or tubing between the liner and deck in those areas, but it does not hurt to check beforehand. What do the instructions suggest for a caulk for installation. If none is suggested I would use butyl rubber or 4200, but I would have to see how the install is before I would decide on one or the other. Sometimes you get quite a bit of water over the bow. My concern would be water infiltration during those periods, but I have not heard anyone complain so I assume it is engineered properly.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

can you buy a new hatch with a solar vent already installed? drilling a large hole through the coach roof of the bow sounds less than optimal.
I'd check with cutwater on structural locations.

if you are primarily looking for a vent solution whilst you are on the boat, perhaps consider a small fan plugged in near one of the bow port lights that you open when you want air?

 

[tlkenyon]

I wonder is a "glass place" (windshields and etc) could drill the hole? Seems like they would have the tools and expertise. Anybody done that?

TK