Hatch Air Conditioner... Build one? Have one? Know one?
- Thread starter abk
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I have a 5000 btu home a/c unit (small box), and it works ok. I tried it next to the mast, w/ poptop up, and under the canvas cover. worked ok at night, fair to poor during day time (august in fla). I also added a large towel to close off the front (at sink) to reduce size.
better was in the companion way, poptop down. I've seen some very nice boxes built so you could step on the ac units.... I just cut a new hatch board.
What I did was cut a 3/4" plywood base, and tied rope around the the ac thru the board so I could slide it about, and be able to tie additioinal ropes to the a/c unit to secure it to the boat.
however it does leak water into the cockpit. over time it will form rust trails... but I don't use it that much.
before I mounted the a/c to the board I took the a/c cover off, and tied additional wires to the compressor and added some chicken wire to the back condenser to make is more rugged and armored.
I'd say the companion way is best way to go, and build a box that you can stand on.
and they make smaller units now than when I got mine... very small. so unless you have a dock box to put the koolaire unit in, I'd get the home type ac.
OR, you can consider the stand up 7000-9000btu units with the exaust hose... thats even better! but it needs to find a home inside the cabin, and then you run the hose to an small outlet in the hatch, or cut a window.
just get the type that evaporates the water into the hot air exaust.
the koolair hatch type are ok, but hard to store aboard, and pricy. so you'd need to take it back to the car, or put it in a dock box...
----
What is you plan for use? marina? extended trip? how many aboard? etc...
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http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/ce5566e1.jpg
better was in the companion way, poptop down. I've seen some very nice boxes built so you could step on the ac units.... I just cut a new hatch board.
What I did was cut a 3/4" plywood base, and tied rope around the the ac thru the board so I could slide it about, and be able to tie additioinal ropes to the a/c unit to secure it to the boat.
however it does leak water into the cockpit. over time it will form rust trails... but I don't use it that much.
before I mounted the a/c to the board I took the a/c cover off, and tied additional wires to the compressor and added some chicken wire to the back condenser to make is more rugged and armored.
I'd say the companion way is best way to go, and build a box that you can stand on.
and they make smaller units now than when I got mine... very small. so unless you have a dock box to put the koolaire unit in, I'd get the home type ac.
OR, you can consider the stand up 7000-9000btu units with the exaust hose... thats even better! but it needs to find a home inside the cabin, and then you run the hose to an small outlet in the hatch, or cut a window.
just get the type that evaporates the water into the hot air exaust.
the koolair hatch type are ok, but hard to store aboard, and pricy. so you'd need to take it back to the car, or put it in a dock box...
----
What is you plan for use? marina? extended trip? how many aboard? etc...
---
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/ce5566e1.jpg
I think in general that unless it's in place only for sleeping, the main hatch is a bad place for an air conditioner. It's in the way, and especially if there's more than one person on the boat, someone will trip over it or knock something out of place.
I tried a small cheap window ac in the forward hatch. It barely fit because of the hatch suppoort. I cut an old tarp into a 50" by 40" sheet and used shock cord to secure it around and above the ac and the hatch. It worked ok but was a bit of trouble to set up and it wasn't very secure. If the boat rocked, it could fall out of the hatch.
I agree with Mr. Bill about the Crusair. I had one on my old boat and it worked fine but it's big and expensive. But it's easier to set up and take down.
We're going to get a stand up unit for the house and I may bring that to the boat and try it with the exhaust in the forward hatch. Home Depot has a 9k btu stand up for $300.
I tried a small cheap window ac in the forward hatch. It barely fit because of the hatch suppoort. I cut an old tarp into a 50" by 40" sheet and used shock cord to secure it around and above the ac and the hatch. It worked ok but was a bit of trouble to set up and it wasn't very secure. If the boat rocked, it could fall out of the hatch.
I agree with Mr. Bill about the Crusair. I had one on my old boat and it worked fine but it's big and expensive. But it's easier to set up and take down.
We're going to get a stand up unit for the house and I may bring that to the boat and try it with the exhaust in the forward hatch. Home Depot has a 9k btu stand up for $300.
Cruiseair! not coolaire!
Thanks for the correction. . I see them around $400 on craigslist.
yes stepping over the a/c in the companion way is no fun... just depends on how you use it. I have only used one for sleeping at a dock.
I think if I had a slip, I'd put the stand up type in, and scrafice the seating area. they should be big enough (8-9000 btu's) to cool the whole boat. just get they type without a drain hose. (evap thru the exaust)
I know I've seen a pic of an 'S' with one aboad.
Thanks for the correction. . I see them around $400 on craigslist.
yes stepping over the a/c in the companion way is no fun... just depends on how you use it. I have only used one for sleeping at a dock.
I think if I had a slip, I'd put the stand up type in, and scrafice the seating area. they should be big enough (8-9000 btu's) to cool the whole boat. just get they type without a drain hose. (evap thru the exaust)
I know I've seen a pic of an 'S' with one aboad.
I think any air conditioner will do on our boats. My Crusair was about 6k btu and it kept my 30' boat very cool at night. It struggled a bit in the middle of a summer day.
Thanks for the reply...
I am looking to A C the boat for use in the Marina only...
I do appreciate your feed back and ideas too...
You always have good stuff whenever youi respond...
Thanks again
Bruce
I am looking to A C the boat for use in the Marina only...
I do appreciate your feed back and ideas too...
You always have good stuff whenever youi respond...
Thanks again
Bruce
I have a 5000 btu home a/c unit (small box), and it works ok. I tried it next to the mast, w/ poptop up, and under the canvas cover. worked ok at night, fair to poor during day time (august in fla). I also added a large towel to close off the front (at sink) to reduce size.
better was in the companion way, poptop down. I've seen some very nice boxes built so you could step on the ac units.... I just cut a new hatch board.
What I did was cut a 3/4" plywood base, and tied rope around the the ac thru the board so I could slide it about, and be able to tie additioinal ropes to the a/c unit to secure it to the boat.
however it does leak water into the cockpit. over time it will form rust trails... but I don't use it that much.
before I mounted the a/c to the board I took the a/c cover off, and tied additional wires to the compressor and added some chicken wire to the back condenser to make is more rugged and armored.
I'd say the companion way is best way to go, and build a box that you can stand on.
and they make smaller units now than when I got mine... very small. so unless you have a dock box to put the koolaire unit in, I'd get the home type ac.
OR, you can consider the stand up 7000-9000btu units with the exaust hose... thats even better! but it needs to find a home inside the cabin, and then you run the hose to an small outlet in the hatch, or cut a window.
just get the type that evaporates the water into the hot air exaust.
the koolair hatch type are ok, but hard to store aboard, and pricy. so you'd need to take it back to the car, or put it in a dock box...
----
What is you plan for use? marina? extended trip? how many aboard? etc...
---
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/ftldiver/mac/ce5566e1.jpg
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