It is important to carefully plan the location of the dorade boxes on deck. They need to be placed where they will provide the maximum air circulation to the cabin below. Before you start installing the dorades, a couple of factors need to be checked.

A simply constructed cardboard template of the dorade placed in the proposed locations will help answer these issues.

Once a site has been selected, trace the outline of the box to the deck. Because most decks have some camber, you have an option to either

To determine the amount of material to be removed, tilt the box to a horizontal position. With the use of a compass or similar tool, starting at the edge of the box nearest the outboard rail, spread the compass points between the deck and the bottom of the box and move the compass across the deck to the opposite side scribing a line on the box. Repeat this process on both fore and aft ends and the sides if necessary. The area below the scribed line is the material to be removed.

As you remove material from the box, periodically check it for closeness to the final fit. Once the dorade box is sitting flush on the deck, you are ready to cut or drill the vent opening into the deck. You can use either a hole saw or jig saw to cut the opening. You will want to make the opening at least as large as the actual cowl vent opening. Be sure to seal the cut deck core with an epoxy sealer or some other sealant.

If you purchased a mushroom ventilator to be installed inside the dorade box, raise the ventilator to it's up-most position over the deck opening. Check that no part of the ventilator is in contact with the dorade box. If your deck has a lot of camber, you may consider installing a deck ring to fit the camber keeping the ventilator horizontal.

Weep holes should be added before final attachment of the box to the deck. Bigger weep holes are better than smaller holes. Conversely, more weep holes are better than fewer holes. Some boaters prefer half rounds while others choose elongated half ovals. It is important to have weep holes on each side both forward and aft of the baffle. However, if your boat has enough camber for good drainage, you may be able to cut weep holes on one side of the box only.

There are several ways to attach the dorade box to the deck. One method that allows easy removal of the dorade box for maintenance is a cleat system secured to the deck and fastened from the outside to the interior of the box. The cleats can be 1" x 1" epoxy coated fir strips or other suitable material. Optionally, the cleats can be glued and screwed to the box interior and then through bolted from the deck below. This eliminates any screw heads or plugs on the box exterior. Before securing the box to the deck, it is a good idea to seal the interior of the box. Also, use a bedding compound to seat the box to the deck.

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