It looks like I need to replace my 10 year old 16000 BtU Cruisair main salon AC It seems to have a refrigerant leak. By the time it is pulled and bench tested I'll have 500 bucks into it. I have shopped around and found Mermaid Air to have the most reasonable price through Defender.com My question is are they well made, easy to install,and reliable. (You get what you pay for) Any feedback would be appreciated. P.S. I have checked the dimension of both units and it will fit in the same space as the original
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Craig McAllaster
Mermaide response
I had a mermaid on my last boat for the same reason, it was a good unit and after I sold the boat the new owner had a warranty issue that mermaid handled without a problem.
I had a mermaid on my last boat for the same reason, it was a good unit and after I sold the boat the new owner had a warranty issue that mermaid handled without a problem.
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Ed Schenck
My experience.
Only two summers but no problems so far. I like the programmable thermostat and the system was easy to install. I also installed the "condensator" so that the condensation in the pan goes overboard with the outlet water. I had some installation questions about the pump and plumbing and the factory people were excellent. Also got mine from Defender. One complaint, my 12K unit does not have a fan rheostat to turn down the blower speed. I am sure that I could add one.
Only two summers but no problems so far. I like the programmable thermostat and the system was easy to install. I also installed the "condensator" so that the condensation in the pan goes overboard with the outlet water. I had some installation questions about the pump and plumbing and the factory people were excellent. Also got mine from Defender. One complaint, my 12K unit does not have a fan rheostat to turn down the blower speed. I am sure that I could add one.
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Ron Mills
Be sure and get a CONDENSATOR
I have read nothing but positive reviews on this website about Mermaid A/C. No matter what brand you go with, buy the "Condensator" from them. For years I lived with the bilge pump constantly cycling on and off to empty the condensation from the A/C. Fore this reason I never knew if I have a problem leak or not. Now I have a clean bilge that only comes on when it should. I then start checking to find the source.
I have read nothing but positive reviews on this website about Mermaid A/C. No matter what brand you go with, buy the "Condensator" from them. For years I lived with the bilge pump constantly cycling on and off to empty the condensation from the A/C. Fore this reason I never knew if I have a problem leak or not. Now I have a clean bilge that only comes on when it should. I then start checking to find the source.
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kevin hostler
Mermaid
My 12k has worked great for almost 2 years. They have a 5 year warranty. I agree with Ed in that I wish it had an adjustable fan speed. I also got mine from Defender and it was drop shipped from the factory and recieved in 2 days. Kevin
My 12k has worked great for almost 2 years. They have a 5 year warranty. I agree with Ed in that I wish it had an adjustable fan speed. I also got mine from Defender and it was drop shipped from the factory and recieved in 2 days. Kevin
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John K Kudera
Me Too!
I installed two seasons ago, we use it all the time, has been great, only problems were owner related issues, Mermaid customer service is the best! Answered my dumb questions quickly.
I installed two seasons ago, we use it all the time, has been great, only problems were owner related issues, Mermaid customer service is the best! Answered my dumb questions quickly.
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Jack Tyler
Interesting and favorable comments...
Hello again, Carisea: We installed a reverse cycle 16,500 BTU Mermaid unit in 1996 and it's mostly worked. We've lost refrigerant twice, the first time due to a corroded cooling line adjacent to the entry point of the freon. The second failure is unknown to us at this point, but that's one of the neat things about Mermaid. We'll remove the unit (ugh...!) in the next few weeks, send it down to Ft. Myers, and they'll do a total system check, repair and 24 hour bench test to confirm a solid repair. This is a normal process for them, and I think this kind of follow-up support is what we all should be looking for from marine vendors today. (BTW other examples we're finding right now include Edson and Profurl). Keep in mind that the Mermaid Marine most of us know has changed, and a new owner (Bill) has been handling the business the last 1+ years. It's nice to see the more recent comments, as that suggests the original company's friendly service is being maintained. Jack
Hello again, Carisea: We installed a reverse cycle 16,500 BTU Mermaid unit in 1996 and it's mostly worked. We've lost refrigerant twice, the first time due to a corroded cooling line adjacent to the entry point of the freon. The second failure is unknown to us at this point, but that's one of the neat things about Mermaid. We'll remove the unit (ugh...!) in the next few weeks, send it down to Ft. Myers, and they'll do a total system check, repair and 24 hour bench test to confirm a solid repair. This is a normal process for them, and I think this kind of follow-up support is what we all should be looking for from marine vendors today. (BTW other examples we're finding right now include Edson and Profurl). Keep in mind that the Mermaid Marine most of us know has changed, and a new owner (Bill) has been handling the business the last 1+ years. It's nice to see the more recent comments, as that suggests the original company's friendly service is being maintained. Jack
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carisea
Mermaid Air to Jack
Jack I am interested in your response. When did the first leak occur and was it under warranty? Is the second leak that requires a bench test being done for free? Thats what my AC guy said he would have to do with the original cruise -Air but it will cost about $500 with me bringing the unit to him.I guess the real question to all is since the original unit is 10 years old should I just replace it and not deal with having continual leaks down the road.
Jack I am interested in your response. When did the first leak occur and was it under warranty? Is the second leak that requires a bench test being done for free? Thats what my AC guy said he would have to do with the original cruise -Air but it will cost about $500 with me bringing the unit to him.I guess the real question to all is since the original unit is 10 years old should I just replace it and not deal with having continual leaks down the road.
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Russ
More on Mermaid
I installed a 12kbtu reverse cycle unit in a 31 Irwin back in 1996 - worked flawlessly. I just ordered the 16500kbtu reverse cycle unit on Monday for installation into my Catalina 36. I hope I am as satisfied as I was with the first unit - Defender price was unbeatable. Do wish I had a variable speed fan, though! I wonder what a call to the factory would yield on that issue? It sounds like a common "wish" amongst owners of the Mermaid units. Russ
I installed a 12kbtu reverse cycle unit in a 31 Irwin back in 1996 - worked flawlessly. I just ordered the 16500kbtu reverse cycle unit on Monday for installation into my Catalina 36. I hope I am as satisfied as I was with the first unit - Defender price was unbeatable. Do wish I had a variable speed fan, though! I wonder what a call to the factory would yield on that issue? It sounds like a common "wish" amongst owners of the Mermaid units. Russ
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Tom
Where are all you people placing your AC units ?
And how/where are you routing your air vents (in and out). I am most concerned with the C36, as wthis is what I have I would like to put AC/Heat on my boat this year. Any pictures would be GREAT !
And how/where are you routing your air vents (in and out). I am most concerned with the C36, as wthis is what I have I would like to put AC/Heat on my boat this year. Any pictures would be GREAT !
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Jim Bessinger
defender?
Recently Ive seen defender listed as a supply source. I have not heard of them. Any way some one could give me their location, E mail? Thanks Jim Bessinger
Recently Ive seen defender listed as a supply source. I have not heard of them. Any way some one could give me their location, E mail? Thanks Jim Bessinger
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Steve
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Steve
Look at Flagship
I recently installed Mermaid in my Catalina 34. If I had known about Flagship Marine, I would've gone that route. Cheaper, and a Catalina 38 on my dock has had excellent customer service from them. (Had a two year old unit go bad - out of warranty, but they gave him $600 trade in for it.) Go to flagshipmarine.com to check it out.
I recently installed Mermaid in my Catalina 34. If I had known about Flagship Marine, I would've gone that route. Cheaper, and a Catalina 38 on my dock has had excellent customer service from them. (Had a two year old unit go bad - out of warranty, but they gave him $600 trade in for it.) Go to flagshipmarine.com to check it out.
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Tom
Anyone else use a Flagship MArine unit?
I was really looking at these units and I think I might go this way. One reason is that their heating unit is noit a reverse pump unit like most but rather a heating element. The upsides are that they can work at any temperature (reverse cycles units don't work well when the water temp goes below 45-50degF). They don't need to be in the water (if you want to work on them when its mid winter and they are on stands) and relatively simple and long lasting and fool proof. The downside is they use more electricity and power than a reverse cyscle unit. Anybody with comments on the Flagship unit (Pro or Cons) would be appreciated
I was really looking at these units and I think I might go this way. One reason is that their heating unit is noit a reverse pump unit like most but rather a heating element. The upsides are that they can work at any temperature (reverse cycles units don't work well when the water temp goes below 45-50degF). They don't need to be in the water (if you want to work on them when its mid winter and they are on stands) and relatively simple and long lasting and fool proof. The downside is they use more electricity and power than a reverse cyscle unit. Anybody with comments on the Flagship unit (Pro or Cons) would be appreciated
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