Can anyone suggest an air conditioner that I can use for my 1981 Hunter 30? I'd like to find the type that can be fitted over the hatch when we're staying overnight in our slip. Also, if anyone knows where used models would be advertised, I'd much appreciate it. Thanks, Dave...
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Paul Aubrecht
I have a .....
Crusair portable A/C unit that fits in the front hatch of my 93 28 but it has only 4800 BTU's which works if you sleep directly under it in the V berth.I have decided to install a 12000 BTU unit in mine. The problem I have seen with Portable units is the lack of BTU's and in a hot enviroment they just cant do the job on a boat over 25 feet. As far as where to look for used units,many of the boats for sale sites have classifieds with Misc classification. Good Luck
Crusair portable A/C unit that fits in the front hatch of my 93 28 but it has only 4800 BTU's which works if you sleep directly under it in the V berth.I have decided to install a 12000 BTU unit in mine. The problem I have seen with Portable units is the lack of BTU's and in a hot enviroment they just cant do the job on a boat over 25 feet. As far as where to look for used units,many of the boats for sale sites have classifieds with Misc classification. Good Luck
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Charles Duhon
AC, our solution...
We own a H-34 and didn't want to spend the money for built -in 12,000 btu AC right now, so here is something that works for us. We knew the CruiseAir was only about 4,000 btus, and of course more is always better, so we found a portable window unit made by White Westinghouse rated a 7,000 btus, all white plastic with a handle built in and only weighs 50 lbs. (price about $350) I built a small wooden platform to fit the bottom of the unit and attached 4 small swivel rubber wheels and strapped the AC to it with a battery box strap. We use it on the main hatch, (the AC on the platform rolls back and forth on the cockpit floor) and had a insulated canvas flap cover made to fit . To enter or exit the boat , we simply lift the canvas flap , roll the AC back about a foot and step out (or in). We have found that 7,000 btus works great for sleeping at night , but is a little weak for the heat of the day and takes a couple of hours to cool down the boat. We usually plug in and then go for a swim and return to a much cooler boat. (Another trick we use is to close off the fore & aft cabins until the main cabin is cool the open the doors and cool the cabins with fans blowing the cool air into them.) Like I say this works for us, 7.000 btus should work even better on your 30 footer but to live aboard I would go for the 12,000 built in unit. Good Luck, and stay cool Charles & Lynn Duhon s/v "Artistry" www.ArtistryMarineArt.com
We own a H-34 and didn't want to spend the money for built -in 12,000 btu AC right now, so here is something that works for us. We knew the CruiseAir was only about 4,000 btus, and of course more is always better, so we found a portable window unit made by White Westinghouse rated a 7,000 btus, all white plastic with a handle built in and only weighs 50 lbs. (price about $350) I built a small wooden platform to fit the bottom of the unit and attached 4 small swivel rubber wheels and strapped the AC to it with a battery box strap. We use it on the main hatch, (the AC on the platform rolls back and forth on the cockpit floor) and had a insulated canvas flap cover made to fit . To enter or exit the boat , we simply lift the canvas flap , roll the AC back about a foot and step out (or in). We have found that 7,000 btus works great for sleeping at night , but is a little weak for the heat of the day and takes a couple of hours to cool down the boat. We usually plug in and then go for a swim and return to a much cooler boat. (Another trick we use is to close off the fore & aft cabins until the main cabin is cool the open the doors and cool the cabins with fans blowing the cool air into them.) Like I say this works for us, 7.000 btus should work even better on your 30 footer but to live aboard I would go for the 12,000 built in unit. Good Luck, and stay cool Charles & Lynn Duhon s/v "Artistry" www.ArtistryMarineArt.com
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Ed Schenck
E-Bay.
There are two days left on the auction right now, see Related Link. But watch E-Bay, some there all the time. Try different "Search" arguments. I just used "cruisair" to find this one. But I agree with Paul. For a little more money a 12K Mermaid will really cool the whole boat. You need an area about 16"deep x 18"wide x 14"high and you will have plenty of room. Does the H30 have a cabinet in the q-berth like my H37C? That is where I put mine. Others have put them under the sink. I did not install any plenums. The unit blows out under the nav table and I can use a fan if I want to direct cool air anywhere else. See Defender for the best price: http://www.defenderus.com/welcome.html
There are two days left on the auction right now, see Related Link. But watch E-Bay, some there all the time. Try different "Search" arguments. I just used "cruisair" to find this one. But I agree with Paul. For a little more money a 12K Mermaid will really cool the whole boat. You need an area about 16"deep x 18"wide x 14"high and you will have plenty of room. Does the H30 have a cabinet in the q-berth like my H37C? That is where I put mine. Others have put them under the sink. I did not install any plenums. The unit blows out under the nav table and I can use a fan if I want to direct cool air anywhere else. See Defender for the best price: http://www.defenderus.com/welcome.html
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Joe Dickson
Window Unit....
I have seen several folks opt for the home window unit approach, and they say it works well. They are certainly cheaper that a carry-on Cruise-Air and more BTU's as well. A friend of mine had one of those Krusin Kool units that are built into a Samsonite suit case, and he had good results with that, but they run about $1,000. When you start talking about that kind of money, I agree with Ed. Get the installed 12,000 btu unit. We have a Cruise-Air system and it works great. The first of the month in our area, there is a boat 'garage sale' held at one of the local marinas. A guy on our pier bought a Cruise-Air carry on for about $150.00. Perhaps there is something similar that takes place in your area as well. If you are looking for a new a carry on Cruise-Air try Boat US (link below). At 30' however, the carry on will be stretched to the limit attempting to cool the whole boat. Perhaps placing it in the hatch over the v-berth would work if indeed that is where you'll be sleeping... Good Luck, Joe S?V Charis
I have seen several folks opt for the home window unit approach, and they say it works well. They are certainly cheaper that a carry-on Cruise-Air and more BTU's as well. A friend of mine had one of those Krusin Kool units that are built into a Samsonite suit case, and he had good results with that, but they run about $1,000. When you start talking about that kind of money, I agree with Ed. Get the installed 12,000 btu unit. We have a Cruise-Air system and it works great. The first of the month in our area, there is a boat 'garage sale' held at one of the local marinas. A guy on our pier bought a Cruise-Air carry on for about $150.00. Perhaps there is something similar that takes place in your area as well. If you are looking for a new a carry on Cruise-Air try Boat US (link below). At 30' however, the carry on will be stretched to the limit attempting to cool the whole boat. Perhaps placing it in the hatch over the v-berth would work if indeed that is where you'll be sleeping... Good Luck, Joe S?V Charis
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Dave...
choices, choices.
Many thanks to all who answered. After reading your suggestions, I think the best route is to find something second hand to fit over the hatch for sleeping while in the slip, and put off purchase of a major unit until the next boat. The H30 I have now is an interim boat, purchased to put me on the water until I retire a few years hence. +Then+ I'm going for the big one that I can live on. Any money saved now means that much more size I can buy then. Again, thanks. Dave...
Many thanks to all who answered. After reading your suggestions, I think the best route is to find something second hand to fit over the hatch for sleeping while in the slip, and put off purchase of a major unit until the next boat. The H30 I have now is an interim boat, purchased to put me on the water until I retire a few years hence. +Then+ I'm going for the big one that I can live on. Any money saved now means that much more size I can buy then. Again, thanks. Dave...
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