I'm a fairly new owner of an Oceanis 281, 1997 model. Has anyone installed A/C & Heat in their 281? Where did you put it, which mfg did you use, & what btu did you install & how difficult was it to install? I'm considering adding a mainsheet traveller, any suggestions on model & installation. Would appreciate any help & advise. David
A/C & Heat Installation
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Beneteau Answer
Sorry but part of your e-mail must have been lost in tranmission, couldn't understand. Thanks David
Sorry but part of your e-mail must have been lost in tranmission, couldn't understand. Thanks David
Cruisair
is the unit that comes with the Beneteau. They have many unit starting at 3500 btu and would probably be sufficient for your boat. I wouldn't even try to guess as to where to put it, but the unit is fairly small. Go to http://www.cruisair.com/sheets/L-2425A.pdf and look around.
is the unit that comes with the Beneteau. They have many unit starting at 3500 btu and would probably be sufficient for your boat. I wouldn't even try to guess as to where to put it, but the unit is fairly small. Go to http://www.cruisair.com/sheets/L-2425A.pdf and look around.
281 air conditioning
I was considering central air on my 281 and had the same questions you have. I ended up taking the cheap way out and bought a small 5000 btu window unit. I used the lower hatch board as a template and made a new board with the center cut out to fit the air conditioner. I can leave it installed and still lock up the boat when I away, and I don't have to remove it when I sail. The condensation drains into the cockpit. The downsides are looks and you have to step over it to get in and out of the cabin. My total cost was about $70. A central unit would be really nice but at more than 15 times the cost, using up storage space and installing a thru-hull I took the poor mans approach. My 281 does not have a traveler either. I have the boat set up for single handing with in-mast and head sail furling. My main sheet is connected on the cockpit deck and for $35 I had a custom tray made by Snap-On or Snap-it (they make drink holdes and cockpit tables etc.)that attaches to the binnacle and has a swivilling cam cleat. This puts the main sheet in a really handy position. If I instaled a traveler, I'm sure that performance would improve some but there is no way to trim it and control the main while at the wheel. I also have a rigid boom vang that limits the placement of a traceler. You can contact Lewmar and they will give you a complet parts list and cost estimate but installation is on you.
I was considering central air on my 281 and had the same questions you have. I ended up taking the cheap way out and bought a small 5000 btu window unit. I used the lower hatch board as a template and made a new board with the center cut out to fit the air conditioner. I can leave it installed and still lock up the boat when I away, and I don't have to remove it when I sail. The condensation drains into the cockpit. The downsides are looks and you have to step over it to get in and out of the cabin. My total cost was about $70. A central unit would be really nice but at more than 15 times the cost, using up storage space and installing a thru-hull I took the poor mans approach. My 281 does not have a traveler either. I have the boat set up for single handing with in-mast and head sail furling. My main sheet is connected on the cockpit deck and for $35 I had a custom tray made by Snap-On or Snap-it (they make drink holdes and cockpit tables etc.)that attaches to the binnacle and has a swivilling cam cleat. This puts the main sheet in a really handy position. If I instaled a traveler, I'm sure that performance would improve some but there is no way to trim it and control the main while at the wheel. I also have a rigid boom vang that limits the placement of a traceler. You can contact Lewmar and they will give you a complet parts list and cost estimate but installation is on you.
281 Info response
Thanks for the info Bill. West Marine has their 9000BTU A/C & heat and installation kits on sale. I relize its still a lot of $$$ but it is to good of a deal to pass up. I'll have to wait till January to intall. Plan to pull her out then. I saw a traveler installed on another 281. Its sweet, sits up on brackets that allows it to ride right over the main hatch cover. I've got the Yanmar 2GM20F with a 55amp alternator. Thinking about uping to a 80 to 100amp to handle extra battery. Do you think that might tax the engine under otherwise heavy loads? Don't have any more than 300hrs on engine wasn't used much by other owner. Thanks again, David
Thanks for the info Bill. West Marine has their 9000BTU A/C & heat and installation kits on sale. I relize its still a lot of $$$ but it is to good of a deal to pass up. I'll have to wait till January to intall. Plan to pull her out then. I saw a traveler installed on another 281. Its sweet, sits up on brackets that allows it to ride right over the main hatch cover. I've got the Yanmar 2GM20F with a 55amp alternator. Thinking about uping to a 80 to 100amp to handle extra battery. Do you think that might tax the engine under otherwise heavy loads? Don't have any more than 300hrs on engine wasn't used much by other owner. Thanks again, David
261 Traveler Response
Thanks Jim. Plan to check with Garhauer. They are always helpful and reasonably priced. Now know exactly what I want, saw it installled on another 281. Fits right over the main hatch cover and works great.
Thanks Jim. Plan to check with Garhauer. They are always helpful and reasonably priced. Now know exactly what I want, saw it installled on another 281. Fits right over the main hatch cover and works great.
AC
congratulations on the new boat...you will love owning a Beneteau! We have an Oceanis 300 and Danny at Lakewood Yacht Service installed our AC. As you well know it is hot and humid in Kemah and we installed a 12000 btu unit and they did a great job with the installation and we have the coldest boat in clear lake to show for it. the unit also did a great job heating last winter as well. It is more money to have Lakewood install it but everyone that has come on the boat have said that if they had to do it over again they would not do it themselves again plus there is a 2 year warranty on parts and labor! If fact we are looking at selling the boat and buying a B331 but one of the drawbacks is that our AC cools so much better than the factory installations on the B331!!! My email is gm18sail2@aol.com if you have any questions or if you wish to look at our intallation sometime.
congratulations on the new boat...you will love owning a Beneteau! We have an Oceanis 300 and Danny at Lakewood Yacht Service installed our AC. As you well know it is hot and humid in Kemah and we installed a 12000 btu unit and they did a great job with the installation and we have the coldest boat in clear lake to show for it. the unit also did a great job heating last winter as well. It is more money to have Lakewood install it but everyone that has come on the boat have said that if they had to do it over again they would not do it themselves again plus there is a 2 year warranty on parts and labor! If fact we are looking at selling the boat and buying a B331 but one of the drawbacks is that our AC cools so much better than the factory installations on the B331!!! My email is gm18sail2@aol.com if you have any questions or if you wish to look at our intallation sometime.
281
I looked at the west website and your right about good prices. Have you figured out yet where to install the unit? Maybe the hanging locker by the head door? The traveler installations I have seen are also over the main hatch. Do you have a solid vang? With mine, there is not a lot of boom left between the vang and the hatch opening. It looks like installing the traveler too far aft over the hatch may be somewhat of a head (on top of your shoulders head) knocker although it may work as a handy grab rail for getting in and out of the cabin. I can't help with your electrical question but someone on this site or the ask all sailors site can probably give you somr advice. I'd sure be interested in how your installations go. If you get some pictures that would be great. I think you can find me on the 281 owners site. Bill in Kansas.
I looked at the west website and your right about good prices. Have you figured out yet where to install the unit? Maybe the hanging locker by the head door? The traveler installations I have seen are also over the main hatch. Do you have a solid vang? With mine, there is not a lot of boom left between the vang and the hatch opening. It looks like installing the traveler too far aft over the hatch may be somewhat of a head (on top of your shoulders head) knocker although it may work as a handy grab rail for getting in and out of the cabin. I can't help with your electrical question but someone on this site or the ask all sailors site can probably give you somr advice. I'd sure be interested in how your installations go. If you get some pictures that would be great. I think you can find me on the 281 owners site. Bill in Kansas.
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