I am thinking of getting a hatch type A/C unit (Cruise-aire) for my 27' O'Day. I am interested in how well these units work? Are they a hassle to install & store? Can these units keep a sailboat reasonably cool in the summer? Do they make a lot of noise as they blow down on the V-Berth? If anyone has experience with these carry-ons it would be appreciated. Thanks
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Air Conditioning
No experience with the units in question. Did use a reqular window unit on an O'Day 35' for 10 years. Put it in the companion way and stored on the quarter berth. Great at night, down to 60 degrees, not so good during the heat of the day. Compare price.
No experience with the units in question. Did use a reqular window unit on an O'Day 35' for 10 years. Put it in the companion way and stored on the quarter berth. Great at night, down to 60 degrees, not so good during the heat of the day. Compare price.
Make it bareable in Texas
I've used one on a Catalina 25 - worked great - and on a 36 - just OK. On the 36 it will cool down the V berth enough to sleep but it can't keep up during the day in July and August.
I've used one on a Catalina 25 - worked great - and on a 36 - just OK. On the 36 it will cool down the V berth enough to sleep but it can't keep up during the day in July and August.
A Friend
of mine has one that he uses on his Hunter 33.6. He talks nasty about that thing every time he sits it up. Like Dennis said. It will make it bearable during the evenings and nights, but it's practically worthless during the day time. I believe that they are only 5000btus. It might work well on a 27, but it would be worth your time if you could find someone that has one and try it on your boat before dropping the bucks. There is a guy on my dock that has a sit up like Paul is talking about. It works well and is a heck of a lot cheaper than the one your looking at. His sits in the hatchway and drains out into the cockpit to the scuppers.
of mine has one that he uses on his Hunter 33.6. He talks nasty about that thing every time he sits it up. Like Dennis said. It will make it bearable during the evenings and nights, but it's practically worthless during the day time. I believe that they are only 5000btus. It might work well on a 27, but it would be worth your time if you could find someone that has one and try it on your boat before dropping the bucks. There is a guy on my dock that has a sit up like Paul is talking about. It works well and is a heck of a lot cheaper than the one your looking at. His sits in the hatchway and drains out into the cockpit to the scuppers.
another possibility
A guy in our marina put one of those portable office space ac's in his C27. 6-7 k btu's. He strapped it down on the sole in the little wedge shapped area in front of the v berth. I ducts through dryer vent hose through a cutout in the forward hatch. The design is such that it has a "slinger" which throws the condensate into the exhaust air. Works as good or better than the "window ac in the hatch" option, and it's comparitively out of the way. Pushing $500, which is still a good bit lower than the so-called portables. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
A guy in our marina put one of those portable office space ac's in his C27. 6-7 k btu's. He strapped it down on the sole in the little wedge shapped area in front of the v berth. I ducts through dryer vent hose through a cutout in the forward hatch. The design is such that it has a "slinger" which throws the condensate into the exhaust air. Works as good or better than the "window ac in the hatch" option, and it's comparitively out of the way. Pushing $500, which is still a good bit lower than the so-called portables. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
See if you can borrow one
The suggestion to see if you can borrow one to try first is a good one. I had a friend selling one, and I tried it for my O'Day 25. It was very cold that evening (Texas, mid-summer, but it was at night). We went to sail the next day, and I ran into a surprise. It wouldn't fit down the forward hatch. Decided to put it in the v-berth by bringing it in through the cockpit and companionway, but it wouldn't get past the bulkhead dividers seperating the v from the salon. I put it in the salon for the rest of the day, and gave it back that night. Instead, I bought a "Krusin Kool Portable Air Conditioner". It's basically a Samsonite suitcase with an a/c unit inside. The cooling pump is connected via hoses and dropped over the side, so all of the condensation is (supposedly) pumped overboard with the water used to cool the unit. (Ours still leaks a little). It cools VERY well (I believe it's 7500 BTU), and sets up quickly, stores easily. As an added bounus, we've been able to carry it to use on our Coronado 35 as well, although it doesn't cool the whole boat (we're installing a central unit this year on that boat). It's a bit pricey ($1000 new), but you can probably shop around and find a refurb or used unit
The suggestion to see if you can borrow one to try first is a good one. I had a friend selling one, and I tried it for my O'Day 25. It was very cold that evening (Texas, mid-summer, but it was at night). We went to sail the next day, and I ran into a surprise. It wouldn't fit down the forward hatch. Decided to put it in the v-berth by bringing it in through the cockpit and companionway, but it wouldn't get past the bulkhead dividers seperating the v from the salon. I put it in the salon for the rest of the day, and gave it back that night. Instead, I bought a "Krusin Kool Portable Air Conditioner". It's basically a Samsonite suitcase with an a/c unit inside. The cooling pump is connected via hoses and dropped over the side, so all of the condensation is (supposedly) pumped overboard with the water used to cool the unit. (Ours still leaks a little). It cools VERY well (I believe it's 7500 BTU), and sets up quickly, stores easily. As an added bounus, we've been able to carry it to use on our Coronado 35 as well, although it doesn't cool the whole boat (we're installing a central unit this year on that boat). It's a bit pricey ($1000 new), but you can probably shop around and find a refurb or used unit
portable office a/c
we used one on our 356, works great! strapped it in the forward cabin, against the vee berth while underway and rolled it into the galley for use-the exhaust duct goes out a port. we found a 9K btu unit for about $450 at staples, of all possible places!
we used one on our 356, works great! strapped it in the forward cabin, against the vee berth while underway and rolled it into the galley for use-the exhaust duct goes out a port. we found a 9K btu unit for about $450 at staples, of all possible places!
Check into Used Units
Ed, as stated these units do a good job in the evenings but won't keep up during the heat of the day here in the mid west. We used one for three years on a H26 and they are a pain to lift on and off. But it literally only takes a couple of minutes. We would store ours in the dock box when not in use. I made ours rain proof by installing snaps that positivly attached the hood to the deck. Check into a used unit. In our area they have gone for about $350-$400 used. Good Luck, Jeff
Ed, as stated these units do a good job in the evenings but won't keep up during the heat of the day here in the mid west. We used one for three years on a H26 and they are a pain to lift on and off. But it literally only takes a couple of minutes. We would store ours in the dock box when not in use. I made ours rain proof by installing snaps that positivly attached the hood to the deck. Check into a used unit. In our area they have gone for about $350-$400 used. Good Luck, Jeff
Water cooled unit
We have a hatch unit that cools OK but is noisey and a pain to put on take off. they sell units that mount permanently and use water to cool the coils...that translates into ""quiet""!!!! If you are going to buy something go for one of these units. If you want a used carry on unit I'll sell you mine. We can meet at Panama City. $300.00 Tom
We have a hatch unit that cools OK but is noisey and a pain to put on take off. they sell units that mount permanently and use water to cool the coils...that translates into ""quiet""!!!! If you are going to buy something go for one of these units. If you want a used carry on unit I'll sell you mine. We can meet at Panama City. $300.00 Tom
Spend a little more or a lot less...
I used one for years on my H31 and now father's H26. They work ok, but for a little more money go with an installed unit...not much more $ (Mermaid, do it yourself if you're reasonably handy) and you will be far more pleased. Or, go for a $100 window unit in the hatch like some here do. Overall works the same or better (noise and airflow aren't direcly over the v-berth) and it's the same effort to load/unload from the boat for a lot less investment.
I used one for years on my H31 and now father's H26. They work ok, but for a little more money go with an installed unit...not much more $ (Mermaid, do it yourself if you're reasonably handy) and you will be far more pleased. Or, go for a $100 window unit in the hatch like some here do. Overall works the same or better (noise and airflow aren't direcly over the v-berth) and it's the same effort to load/unload from the boat for a lot less investment.
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