: Paul's wine cork idea is as usual creative and
: practical.

Thank you

: But I wonder at least 2 things: Is a relief hole of some kind
: always 'recommended' in 'all' weather conditions and boat conditions:

Yes

And
: it seems to me that if it is that the 'best' method is just a 1/32"
: hole (barring some unique 'valve' of some kind which I can't imagine). I
: like the cork idea, but don't understand it value over the simple
: 1/32" hole. I mean if the cork is in an approx. 1/2" hole but
: has in itself a 1/32" hole, what is the point in the cork? If the
: cork is to allow for opening a 1/2" hole on occasion, what is the
: point of this larger hole sometime

the bigger hole lets in more air for better ventilation and to let any trapped condensation evaporate, or drain out by tipping the boat on end.

With only a small hole for a vent the tendency is for the closed compartment to suck in moist air, which eventually leaves condensed water in the compartment when the air and compartment cools. When the compartment heats up you get hot moist air in there. When the boat is in the sun for a while, the compartment gets nice and warm, and the condensation evaporates -- but there is not enough air exchange -- so that hot moist air stays trapped inside, and when the sun sets and the compartment cools, more outside air is sucked in, and a good deal of the moisture in the air inside condenses again.

A larger hole provideds more opportunity for air circulation and helps keep the relative humidity down in the closed areas. A wine cork is about 5/8 to 3/4 inch in diameter, with corks from champagne bottles being larger, and probably preferable. The bigger the hole the better the circulation of air and the better drainage.

A hole that size is sufficient for poking the end of a maglite through in case you need some light in there, too.

Just a few thoughts on this

PGJ

Of course you could store the boat with the hatch off, but that is not always possible, or desirable.