Three Cabin Fans Compared

Maybe you don’t have air conditioning aboard your boat. Maybe your boat doesn’t have a cabin. Or maybe you enjoy opening up the boat’s ports and doors, but desire a little more airflow. A cabin fan is perfect for these scenarios. Most commonly installed to cool the skipper, these air movers might as well be called captain’s fans or helm fans. Here are three types of small, DIY install fans to try aboard your boat.

The Caframo Compact 12-volt features soft “Fingersafe Blades” so they can spin without danger of serious injury. Courtesy West Marine BUY NOW Cageless Fan: Caframo Compact 12-Volt DC Fan

The blow: Sometimes the protective screens encasing a fan’s blades make them too big for small-boat duty belowdecks. A fan such as the Caframo Compact 12-volt features soft “Fingersafe Blades” so they can spin without danger of serious injury. It can be permanently mounted with screws or temporarily attached with a suction cup or close pin-style fasteners. The power comes through a 12-volt receptacle.

The low: It’s smaller and less powerful than other fan choices that work best on larger cabins.

Price: $82.99; westmarine.com

The Hella Marine 12/24-Volt can produce a powerful flow capable of reaching 125 cubic feet per minute. Courtesy West Marine BUY NOW Fixed Turbo Fan: Hella Marine 12/24-Volt Turbo

The blow: A small turbo fan such as the Hella Marine 12/24-Volt can produce a powerful flow capable of reaching 125 cubic feet per minute, providing effective circulation in a small cuddy or cabin. The housing can be rotated to direct the blast wherever desired in the cabin or pilothouse of your boat. It comes in black and white to suit different aesthetic preferences or boat decor themes.

The low: Similar fans have three speeds compared to this fan’s two-speed operating modes.

Price: $99.99 to $132.99; westmarine.com

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The Sirocco II has a gimbal that allows for 360-degree rotation. Courtesy West Marine BUY NOW Oscillating Fan: Caframo Sirocco II Cabin Fan

The Blow: The Sirocco II has a gimbal that allows for 360-degree rotation, pushing air in every direction in your cabin. It can be used with 12-volt or 24-volt power. It has three fan speeds and can be folded away against a bulkhead when not in use, making it a good choice for cramped cabin spaces.

The low: With 9 ½-by-12-by-3 ½-inch dimensions, it might take up more space in your cabin than you’d prefer. It has to be permanently mounted, so choose where you want to place it wisely.

Price: $149.99; westmarine.com

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