Jesse
I slid out the tray/anchor locker that is in the forecabin under the
foredeck and was able to measure the hole and happily it is exactly 3 3/4".
I will be ordering the same vent you have (N20803W). Actually, when I read
all the instructions for installation it says "For a 3" vent: Confirm the
existing opening is cut to 3-3/4" (95mm) in diameter for a deck mount
installation, or 3-1/2" (89mm) for a hatch mount installation". Since I'll
be doing a deck mount installation (as you did), the 3 3/4" hole is
perfect.
I'll report on how it works out.

Roger suggested putting a drain into the tray...where should it drain to? I
suppose one thought would be to the head or perhaps to the sink? Anyplace
else?  I think I'll wait to see how big a problem it is for the type of
sailing I'll be doing

I have been out sailing and learning about the boat and so far so good.
I've learned out to do "cross winch sheeting" in which both jib sheets end
up on the same side of the boat as I am (high side) as I tack and so I've
been single-handing. I"ve been impressed by how well the boat is balanced
so I can just let go of the tiller and wander around the cabin (for brief
periods) to adjust things and the boat just keeps going...wonderful!

--Reuben
Reuben Mezrich
Pelican Cove in Sarasota
Cell: 410-499-8922

On Sat, Feb 13, 2021 at 12:37 PM Jesse Shumaker <
jesse.laten.shumaker at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Rueben,
>
> Have you already purchased the solar fan?  I think you may be referencing a
> different model than I have.  I think Rhodies have used a few different
> models so someone else may be able to chime in here as well.
>
> Here's a snippet from page 7 of the instructions for my model posted at
> https://www.marinco.com/en/~/media/inriver/382600-41402.pdf
>
> "The interior trim ring is not required for hatch mount installation. This
> allows you to finish the interior based on your preference. Mounting to a
> hatch surface for a 4" vent requires a 4-1/2" (114 mm) diameter hole, and
> the 3" vent requires a 3-1/2" (89 mm) diameter hole."
>
> I did install the interior trim ring.  It appears the hole in my deck was
> about 3.5" and it was a pretty snug fit with the interior trim ring.  The
> trim ring threads didn't allow me to tighten all the way down to the
> ceiling so I cut some PVC pipe to serve as a spacer.  With the sizeable
> gasket on top, I pushed down on the fan from on top of the deck to compress
> the gasket (purchased separately - this is actually for a pressure cooker)
> while my brother was in the forepeak tightening the trim ring and ensuring
> the spacer was in the right place.  It took a bit of trial and error to get
> this just right.
>
> One other thing to consider is that you may want to take the opportunity to
> epoxy the edges of the hole before you install the solar fan.  There was
> already some sort of black goo coating on the edges for protection but as
> long as you are working in that area it is easy enough to grind out the
> inside layers of a bit with a dremel and fill with epoxy.
>
> After I installed the fan, I came to the conclusion that chocks would be
> helpful because the bow cleat is aft of the fan.  I think some R22s already
> have chocks mounted on a reinforced area of the toe rail but mine did not
> so I ended up adding some mounted on top of HDPE blocks on the foredeck.
> My foredeck has gotten a bit busy since I added an anchor roller this past
> fall.  Anyway, I just wanted to mention some unanticipated project scope
> creep that resulted once I started down this path.  It all turned out well
> in the end.
>
> It sounds like you've been busy with projects on your new boat.  Have you
> had a chance to take it sailing much yet?  Weather in Sarasota sounds
> pretty nice right now.  Tomorrow the forecasted high temp here in Omaha is
> -3 degrees!
>
> Jesse
>
>
> On Sat, Feb 13, 2021 at 5:11 AM Reuben Mezrich <reuben.mezrich at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Jesse
> > Thank you for the details. I do have the anchor tray under that hole and
> so
> > I could do the arrangement Roger suggests to catch any water.
> > One thing puzzles me. The spec for the housing extending  below deck on
> the
> > Nicro device is that it is 3.72" but it seems the hole you show in your
> > third figure is less than 3 1/2". Am I missing something?
> >
> > I am impressed at how thick the deck is...
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Reuben Mezrich
> > Pelican Cove in Sarasota
> > Cell: 410-499-8922
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 10:13 PM Jesse Shumaker <
> > jesse.laten.shumaker at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Rueben,
> > >
> > > I attached a few photos showing measurements for the hole on the
> foredeck
> > > as well as the box for the solar fan that I installed, which was the
> > > Marinco 3" model N20803W.  I haven't had any issues with leaks with my
> > > setup where it is placed on the foredeck in the hole that was
> originally
> > > intended to lead to the anchor tray.  Actually, I think it's less prone
> > to
> > > leaking than the previous setup with the cap that was installed since
> the
> > > fan spreads out much larger over the hole and the cap that had been in
> > > place didn't appear to seal well.  As you may have seen from my post on
> > the
> > > installation, I did have to get creative and used a larger gasket due
> to
> > > the curvature of the foredeck.  I also applied sealant in addition to
> the
> > > gasket.  As Roger mentioned, it wouldn't hurt to leave the anchor tray
> in
> > > as a safeguard in case there are leaks.  I've been out in some weather
> > > (though probably minor in comparison to Roger's adventures) and the
> boat
> > > has been in some heavy downpours since I installed the solar fan and
> > > thankfully I haven't had any leaks yet.  I know a number of other R22
> > > owners have installed a solar fan in the same place based on photos I
> saw
> > > when researching that project.  However, I've also heard of a number of
> > > other locations such as Roger's setup.   One other consideration for
> the
> > > area over the head is that it does make a great place for a hatch.
> > Perhaps
> > > your R22 already came with a hatch there from the factory.  Last fall I
> > > installed a hatch over the head.  My first impressions are that it
> adds a
> > > lot of "head room" and allows for both light and airflow.  Good luck
> with
> > > your fan installation.  It would be nice to hear how your project turns
> > > out.
> > >
> > > Jesse Shumaker
> > > S/V Zephyr
> > >
> > > On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 5:12 PM ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Reuben,
> > > >
> > > > My 1976 Rhodes 22 does not have a hatch over the head.  So, the solar
> > > vent
> > > > is the only ventilation in the head.  It’s thru-bolted thru the cabin
> > > roof.
> > > >
> > > > Does your Rhodes 22 have the slide-in drawer up in the bow for anchor
> > > rode
> > > > storage?  Early versions did not have a drain.  So if your drawer
> > doesn’t
> > > > have a drain, you should add one that drains overboard.  Then, you
> > could
> > > > install several small deck inspection plates in the aft face of the
> > > > drawer.  Two or three of these small inspection ports together would
> > have
> > > > as much vent area as the solar vent.  Then, if you installed the
> solar
> > > vent
> > > > in the foredeck such that it drained into the drawer, the drawer
> could
> > > > function as your dorade box vapor/liquid separator.  If you also keep
> > > your
> > > > anchor rode in there, I would set up the solar vent to exhaust.  This
> > > way,
> > > > you would be drawing cabin air into the drawer and you wouldn’t get
> the
> > > > unpleasant smell of wet, muddy, moldy anchor rode in the cabin.
> > > >
> > > > Roger Pihlaja
> > > > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> > > >
> > > > Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> > > > Windows 10
> > > >
> > > > From: Reuben Mezrich<mailto:reuben.mezrich at gmail.com>
> > > > Sent: Friday, February 12, 2021 5:42 PM
> > > > To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > > > Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] gasket for mounting solar vent
> > > >
> > > > Roger
> > > > Thank you for the heads up.
> > > > Did you mount the solar vent in the plexiglass lens in the hatch over
> > the
> > > > head?
> > > > --Reuben
> > > >
> > > > Reuben Mezrich
> > > > Pelican Cove in Sarasota
> > > > Cell: 410-499-8922
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > On Fri, Feb 12, 2021 at 3:06 PM ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com
> >
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Reuben,
> > > > >
> > > > > I have a (6” diameter I Think?) stainless steel Nicro Fico solar
> vent
> > > in
> > > > > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium.  But, mine is mounted on the cabin roof
> > above
> > > > the
> > > > > head.  Despite the vent being on top of the cabin roof and several
> > feet
> > > > aft
> > > > > of the bow, in heavy weather, the vent leaks to the point where I
> > keep
> > > a
> > > > > bucket under it.  When we start taking spray over the bow, we
> > routinely
> > > > > pull the vent and install the solid cover plate in the deck
> > fitting.  I
> > > > > would expect a solar vent on the foredeck near the bow would be
> even
> > > more
> > > > > problematic.  It really needs a dorade box vapor/liquid separator
> to
> > > work
> > > > > properly.  But, a dorade box would tend to foul the genoa sheets.
> >  Be
> > > > sure
> > > > > you always have the solid cover plate ready in case it’s needed and
> > > make
> > > > > certain the O-ring is in good condition.
> > > > >
> > > > > Roger Pihlaja
> > > > > S/V Dynamic Equilibrium
> > > > >
> > > > > Sent from my iPhone
> > > > >
> > > > > > On Feb 12, 2021, at 2:39 PM, Reuben <reuben.mezrich at gmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ?Jesse
> > > > > > I too am planning to put a solar vent at the bow but I noticed
> that
> > > the
> > > > > > Marino Day Night vents require a 3 3/4” hole   Currently on my
> > > rebuilt
> > > > > > Rhodes there is a 5” plate with a 3 1/4” hole. When you removed
> > that
> > > > > plate
> > > > > > what diameter hole did you find?
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/
> > > > >
> > > >
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