Regarding water coming in the vents. I have to put those awful vent holes in boats so folks can live on them. If I didn't I'm sure owners would be pretty upset having to live with cooking and toilet odors, high humidity and mold in and near the heads, and cooking oil covering the galley bulkheads and overheads.

However, at the first sign of serious weather they must be closed! I have had to do this twice when things look really threatening. Neither incident amounted to much, but I was glad the vents were closed.

Captain Jane uses hand towels tightly jammed up the clam shell covers, which are easily reached from the deck.