I live in Texas where it get hot and humid in the summer. I just purchased a 32' Hunter with AC. Do you recommend leaving the AC running dockside, perhaps at something like 80 degrees, when the boat is not in use? Does it help control the humidity?
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Richard Briggs
a/c
Hi Kevin, I can think of a number of reasons to not leave the A/C on while un-attended. First is economics, do you pay the power bill or the Marina, either way it is cheaper and kinder to use a de-humidifier in the saloon of your boat when not on board.Also you stand the increased risk of tripping the docks circuit breaker to your dockside outlet. If this occurs while you are gone and you have a auto charging system for your batteries they won't last forever if your bilge pump has to turn on and run continouse. My dock neighbors do leave a light burning when not on board and this also seems to help keep the boat dryer inside. By the way my vessel is on the eastern shore and it gets plenty humid here. Regards Richard s/v La Vida Feliz
Hi Kevin, I can think of a number of reasons to not leave the A/C on while un-attended. First is economics, do you pay the power bill or the Marina, either way it is cheaper and kinder to use a de-humidifier in the saloon of your boat when not on board.Also you stand the increased risk of tripping the docks circuit breaker to your dockside outlet. If this occurs while you are gone and you have a auto charging system for your batteries they won't last forever if your bilge pump has to turn on and run continouse. My dock neighbors do leave a light burning when not on board and this also seems to help keep the boat dryer inside. By the way my vessel is on the eastern shore and it gets plenty humid here. Regards Richard s/v La Vida Feliz
Thru Hull
Kevin it would be great to arrive a nice cooled boat every weekend but the ware and tear on the unit and the risk of leaving a thru hull open when away from the boat would be enough to discourage me. It sure is great having A/C during these hot midwest summers. Jeff "Gail Force" 1993 H33.5
Kevin it would be great to arrive a nice cooled boat every weekend but the ware and tear on the unit and the risk of leaving a thru hull open when away from the boat would be enough to discourage me. It sure is great having A/C during these hot midwest summers. Jeff "Gail Force" 1993 H33.5
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Andy
How much?
How much do you wanna spend? I know a guy who has a cell phone activated AC on his house boat. When he heads for the marina he dials up the boat and sets the thermostat. Techno over achiever!
How much do you wanna spend? I know a guy who has a cell phone activated AC on his house boat. When he heads for the marina he dials up the boat and sets the thermostat. Techno over achiever!
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John Revenboer
AC On when away
YES Please do leave your AC running while away from the boat. It is one of the best devices you have available to remove the humidity from inside of the boat.
YES Please do leave your AC running while away from the boat. It is one of the best devices you have available to remove the humidity from inside of the boat.
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Bill
A/C with dehumidify setting
Kevin, my a/c unit has a "dehumidify" setting that runs the unit once/hour to remove moisture from the air without trying to cool the interior. The local tech advised me to use that rather than the a/c setting, as it extends the life of the unit. One thing you might check out.
Kevin, my a/c unit has a "dehumidify" setting that runs the unit once/hour to remove moisture from the air without trying to cool the interior. The local tech advised me to use that rather than the a/c setting, as it extends the life of the unit. One thing you might check out.
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Joe Barrett
Smell
Have you ever smelled a 15 year old boat in Florida with no A/c? I was just aboard an old Morgan 1975, what a stinker! Leave it on if you want to protect your investment.
Have you ever smelled a 15 year old boat in Florida with no A/c? I was just aboard an old Morgan 1975, what a stinker! Leave it on if you want to protect your investment.
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Bill
Dehumidifier
I have used a dehumidifier for the past 9 years while in Florida. I keep the humidity set to about 50% and the electric bill is less than $10.00 per month. I set it on the galley counter and have the condinsate hose into the sink with the thru hull valve open. My bilge is always dry, the boat always smells fresh. I do have air conditioner units on the boat, but that is over kill. I don't need the boat cool, just dry. Most marine flea markets around here will have several dehumidifiers for sale in the $10 to $35 range. Bill
I have used a dehumidifier for the past 9 years while in Florida. I keep the humidity set to about 50% and the electric bill is less than $10.00 per month. I set it on the galley counter and have the condinsate hose into the sink with the thru hull valve open. My bilge is always dry, the boat always smells fresh. I do have air conditioner units on the boat, but that is over kill. I don't need the boat cool, just dry. Most marine flea markets around here will have several dehumidifiers for sale in the $10 to $35 range. Bill
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Steve Winkle
Hot Texas Sun
Kevin, Don't know where in TX you are, but up here in DFW, I leave mine on continuously during July & August. The rest of the year it sets on the "HU-1" setting to keep the humidity lower. I also check on the boat frequently and have found the intake clogged with debris on a couple of occasions. If I'm going to be away from the boat for a prolonged period, I will turn the A/C off and leave it on the HU-1 setting. Fair winds, Steve S/V Options
Kevin, Don't know where in TX you are, but up here in DFW, I leave mine on continuously during July & August. The rest of the year it sets on the "HU-1" setting to keep the humidity lower. I also check on the boat frequently and have found the intake clogged with debris on a couple of occasions. If I'm going to be away from the boat for a prolonged period, I will turn the A/C off and leave it on the HU-1 setting. Fair winds, Steve S/V Options
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Kevin
Thanks!
Hey thanks for all the good advice. As a new Hunter owner it is great to have folks like you who are willing to share your knowledge and experience!
Hey thanks for all the good advice. As a new Hunter owner it is great to have folks like you who are willing to share your knowledge and experience!
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Bill P.
Dehumidifer - marine
Being in Fl, I like the idea of running a dehumidifer and get the impression that a "marine" unit is necessary. "Marine" seems to translate into "extra expensive" - is a marine unit necessary or can Home Depot help me out? Thanks all, Bill
Being in Fl, I like the idea of running a dehumidifer and get the impression that a "marine" unit is necessary. "Marine" seems to translate into "extra expensive" - is a marine unit necessary or can Home Depot help me out? Thanks all, Bill
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Debra B
Cheap Window Unit, and some plywood
If you really want AC without leaving the sea cock open, get a cheap small A/C unit (Home Depot, less that $100 or so) and a piece of plywood. Fit the plywood into the companion way, and the cut the AC into the plywood. Depending on boat size, this may or may not keep the boat cold, but they let you close the through-hull and it is a lot cheaper than those carry-on marine units. Several people around here have them, some in place of AC, some because they don't like to leave the through-hulls open even for a short time when away from the boat.
If you really want AC without leaving the sea cock open, get a cheap small A/C unit (Home Depot, less that $100 or so) and a piece of plywood. Fit the plywood into the companion way, and the cut the AC into the plywood. Depending on boat size, this may or may not keep the boat cold, but they let you close the through-hull and it is a lot cheaper than those carry-on marine units. Several people around here have them, some in place of AC, some because they don't like to leave the through-hulls open even for a short time when away from the boat.
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Scott Heller
The intake water filter could clog
I've had two wildly differant experiances. In Charleston, SC we couldn't leave our A/C on for extended periods because the filter would clog in about seven days. Here in Ventura, CA I've only cleaned the filter once in 12 months. There is much less living in the water here. Scott
I've had two wildly differant experiances. In Charleston, SC we couldn't leave our A/C on for extended periods because the filter would clog in about seven days. Here in Ventura, CA I've only cleaned the filter once in 12 months. There is much less living in the water here. Scott
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