Good afternoon Nonsuchers,
We want to refinish/varnish our dorade boxes and change the cowl scoops. How is the plexiglass attached to the top of the dorade box? I see there are screws, but it also seems to be attached with adhesive (please NOT 52,000,000!)?
And what are suggested replacements for the cowl scoops? We like the chrome ones($$$!).
If anyone who has done this job has suggestions/
photos, we would be grateful. Thank you!
The plastic is screwed to the box no need for sealant. The box is attached with L brackets with butyl rubber sealing around the vent side of the box.
Plastic ones can be shined with 3M Cleaner Wax . Defender Marine sells them as well
On the 26 this dorade is in the head. My wood box was in poor condition so I’ve removed the entire assembly and will replace it with a solar vent.
I feel like when I removed the screws, the acrylic top does not easily come off (and I don’t want to force it).
Richard,
The acrylic top may seem stuck because often the dorade box was varnished without removing it, and the varnish seeps in and forms a weak glue.
Like Ron B, I also removed my wood box. The combination of old butyl rubber sealing and seeped-in varnish left a stain on the deck marking its former location. I’ve been only partially successful in removing that stain.
I’ve gotten very high quality 316 stainless dorade and mushroom vents from https://www.buchanmarine.net/ventillation. The vents and deckplates come in sizes from 3”-6”. You can get the vent interior anodized in white, blue, or custom colors. They also sell a cylindrical fiberglass dorade box that I found very nice. In addition to their stainless line, they also sell them in bronze for those who like the traditional look.
– Bob
We replaced our cowl vent with a stainless steel one about 10 years ago. No adhesive under the top. Simply unscrewed it and replaced it (as it was quite scratched). Refinished the dorade box. We have a Sunbrella cover on it when not sailing.
Jim Stanley
Annie 11 (30U No. 378)
Chester, Nova Scotia
I initially wanted to replace mine with the metal type as well. however, they cleaned up beautifully.
Bob,
Nice work.
I like restoring the original items rather than replacing them.
Just my thing I guess.
Brian
Ours are squishy rubbery plastic(?) and they come off the dorade boxes pretty easily. I don’t know if this is how they are supposed to be.
Looks nice! What kind of paint(s) did you use?
Is the plastic body stripped off of the threaded bronze base? That should then be screwed into the round base. It’s 2 pieces in total, but the round metal threaded part was solidly fused to the plastic cowl. I would use Liquid Nails to reattach if so.
Nah, they flip off pretty easy. That way they don’t catch and rip a sail or catch a line at an inopportune time. Mine get knocked loose about 10 times a year. I have a 6 inch steel wire attaching it, so it does not go overboard.
Chuck Garbarino
As You Wish
N30U #292
Sodus Point, NY
I replaced my ancient vinyl ones that were beyond hope with polished 316 stainless steel ones the. I. bought on Alibaba. They are incredibly good quality and come with the ring and a screw-in plug if you want to take the vents off. They were similar in price to PVC ones here and when I checked the website they had a sale on, but they often have sales on. They are very good to deal with. https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Hot-Sale-Stainless-Steel-316-Cowl_60710569623.html?spm=a2700.galleryofferlist.normal_offer.d_title.75f013a0XE3BUF&priceId=8e17eb2383eb40ac90ee64ade28bc31a
Hey Bob, are their prices CAD or USD?
The link I provided, https://www.buchanmarine.net/ventillation, is to a US site in USD.
I know that may be inconvenient and undesirable for purchasers in Canada. I wish I could be more help. Sorry.
– Bob
