Low profile vents

Low profile vents



Mariner's Hardware is located in Petaluma, California about 30 miles north of San Francisco bay. The company started business in 2000 manufacturing boat ventilation products. The owners of the company are Neil and Andrea Buchan. Starting a new business was nothing new to them. They operated the Buchan Oyster Company for many years before they started cruising in 1986. Their most recent boat was an Australian Halvorsen design. Freya 39, a double-ended cutter named Sidney Ann. They completed the boat from a hull and deck.

Neil and Andrea have sailed Sidney Ann extensively making trips into Mexico, transiting the Panama Canal, and sailing up and down both coasts of the US.

While cruising it was apparent that Sidney Ann needed more ventilation so they added three "large" dorade boxes with cowl vents to the five existing hatches and seven ports. In addition, they bought wind scoops for the hatches, and a full-length canopy. Suddenly, making those long trips to weather became more bearable and sleeping at night while anchored in the tropics wasn't so bad. Of course, having the freezer with plenty of ice also helped.

Over the years, they received complements on the beautiful dorades and guards on Sidney Ann. Another invention they received compliments on were mushroom ventilators in the dorades that could be screwed down on cold nights without going on deck to remove the cowl vents

Back from cruising, they started building the same dorades and guards they had built for Sidney Ann years earlier. It wasn't long before they added more cowl vents and differently shaped dorade boxes. They also expanded the line of teak dorades to include mahogany and fiberglass.

In a short time, Mariner's Hardware has carved itself a small niche in the boating industry by specializing in ventilation products. This year they added the Low Profile Cowl Vents (shown above) in stainless steel and bronze and also re-introduced the large 5" Round Opening Cowl Vents that have been unavailable for 8 or 9 years. They plan to bring back and manufacture a few more classic early designs seen on some classy yachts.

Mariner's Hardware will be exhibiting their products at Pacific Sail Expo in Oakland, April 17 - 21. Their products are available direct through marinershardware.com or through West Marine.