I have a new 306 and want to use a "carry on " Cruise Air airconditioner on my boat. The unit requires a 12 inch minimum hatch opening which limits the location to the hatch in the V-berth. My concerns are poor circulation to aft areas of the boat and overcooling of the V-berth and , of course , the dripping that these units are noted for onto the bedding as the hatch is located about mid cabin in the v-berth. I have also thought of using a window unit in the companionway but am finding it tough to make a proper fit/sealing because of widths of units available and the angling of the opening.Also you then have a "blockage" issue evry time you want to enter/exit the cabin. Does anyone have any experience with or advice on this issue that might help me decide how to proceed ?
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Don
I had one
On my former H31 and it worked well except for the mid-afternoon when the sun is the hottest. But this size boat is definitely the max for the cruise-air unit, IMHO. Of course, my 31 did not have the separate aft cabin, read on. I now have a 37.5 with 16K btu and it still struggles in the mid day sun. The fiberglass just isn't much insulation against that sun. I have a small clip on fan that I put on the door to the foward cabin in my 31. That really helped move the air flow towards the back. I still use this fan in the aft cabin of my 37.5. Even with a vent back there, it still gets kinda stuffy. I suggest that you borrow one to see how it works. I still have the drop in unit. If you're up towards Annapolis you can try it. On the otherhand, the installed units are very nice. That cruiseair unit is rather large to lug around much. The installation is really a snap if you are handy at all. For a few more bucks, you can have the installed one.
On my former H31 and it worked well except for the mid-afternoon when the sun is the hottest. But this size boat is definitely the max for the cruise-air unit, IMHO. Of course, my 31 did not have the separate aft cabin, read on. I now have a 37.5 with 16K btu and it still struggles in the mid day sun. The fiberglass just isn't much insulation against that sun. I have a small clip on fan that I put on the door to the foward cabin in my 31. That really helped move the air flow towards the back. I still use this fan in the aft cabin of my 37.5. Even with a vent back there, it still gets kinda stuffy. I suggest that you borrow one to see how it works. I still have the drop in unit. If you're up towards Annapolis you can try it. On the otherhand, the installed units are very nice. That cruiseair unit is rather large to lug around much. The installation is really a snap if you are handy at all. For a few more bucks, you can have the installed one.
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Charles Duhon
Our AC solution
We have a H34 and had the same problem with the Cruise Air. I found a portable window unit that was only 50 lbs.with a built in handle, smaller than a cruise air and had 7000 btus. Thats more than the 4500 btus of the cruise air and it costs only $350! Made by White Westinghouse. We built a small wooden platform with rubber wheels on the bottom and strapped the AC to it with a battery box strap. This works well in the main hatch, it easily rolls back and forth when you need to get in and out. We also had a canvas cover flap to fit the main hatch and AC, it just drops over and is snapped to the sliding top hatch. This set up works great for sleeping at night even for our H-34, it struggles during the heat of the day but we close off the fore and aft cabins and have a large shade awning that covers most of the boat. At first we thought the AC in the main hatch would be a hassle, but now after several years, it really isn't. 7000 btus would work even better on a 30 footer. Good luck and keep kool! Charles Duhon "Artistry" www.ArtistryMarineArt.com
We have a H34 and had the same problem with the Cruise Air. I found a portable window unit that was only 50 lbs.with a built in handle, smaller than a cruise air and had 7000 btus. Thats more than the 4500 btus of the cruise air and it costs only $350! Made by White Westinghouse. We built a small wooden platform with rubber wheels on the bottom and strapped the AC to it with a battery box strap. This works well in the main hatch, it easily rolls back and forth when you need to get in and out. We also had a canvas cover flap to fit the main hatch and AC, it just drops over and is snapped to the sliding top hatch. This set up works great for sleeping at night even for our H-34, it struggles during the heat of the day but we close off the fore and aft cabins and have a large shade awning that covers most of the boat. At first we thought the AC in the main hatch would be a hassle, but now after several years, it really isn't. 7000 btus would work even better on a 30 footer. Good luck and keep kool! Charles Duhon "Artistry" www.ArtistryMarineArt.com
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Paul Aubrecht
I had a Cruise Air
I had a Cruise Air for my 28 but I just installed a FlagshipMarine Air 12000 BTU.The Cruise Air struggled during the day.I put my own A/C in and the cost was not that much more than the Cruise AIR and it is well worth it.If you use the Cruise Air,set it in the front hatch,put a little box fan directly under the vents and blow it towards the back.I also had clipon fans in other parts of the boat to distribute the air.Good Luck and Happy 4th.
I had a Cruise Air for my 28 but I just installed a FlagshipMarine Air 12000 BTU.The Cruise Air struggled during the day.I put my own A/C in and the cost was not that much more than the Cruise AIR and it is well worth it.If you use the Cruise Air,set it in the front hatch,put a little box fan directly under the vents and blow it towards the back.I also had clipon fans in other parts of the boat to distribute the air.Good Luck and Happy 4th.
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Bruce Mulford
We have a cruisair on our 29.5
We use it in the front hatch as you describe, but bought the optional extra Air Deflector which snaps on and directs the air straight back. I also made plastic panels (out of a store bought plastic storage box) that fill the space between the unit and the sides of the hatch, so I have both the cloth hood that comes with the unit and a second layer of plastic to minimize heat/air infiltration around the unit. Have not noticed a real moisture drip problem, and this may be why. The v-berth could be slept in if you can stand the noise as it does not get too cold with the deflector. We also set a 12" electric fan under it to blow cold air back. Further, covering the vindows (we use the cockpit cushins) and putting up a tarp to block direct sun also make a difference). However, the 29.5 has a major advantage over the newer models you mention in that it has no walls at either the v-berth or the aft berth, just cloth curtains. During one of the hot days this week on the Chesapeake (100+) we pulled the aft curtains to keep the cold air from going back there and spent the hottest part of the early afternoon in the main cabin reading and were comfortable, but not cool. After dark, we open the aft curtains and, with the help of the fan, it will get comfortable enough to sleep aft. However, after the extreme heat wave this week (6/30 to 7/4) on the bay, this is very likely the last year without real a/c on board either this boat but more likely on a bigger boat (h380 here we come?).
We use it in the front hatch as you describe, but bought the optional extra Air Deflector which snaps on and directs the air straight back. I also made plastic panels (out of a store bought plastic storage box) that fill the space between the unit and the sides of the hatch, so I have both the cloth hood that comes with the unit and a second layer of plastic to minimize heat/air infiltration around the unit. Have not noticed a real moisture drip problem, and this may be why. The v-berth could be slept in if you can stand the noise as it does not get too cold with the deflector. We also set a 12" electric fan under it to blow cold air back. Further, covering the vindows (we use the cockpit cushins) and putting up a tarp to block direct sun also make a difference). However, the 29.5 has a major advantage over the newer models you mention in that it has no walls at either the v-berth or the aft berth, just cloth curtains. During one of the hot days this week on the Chesapeake (100+) we pulled the aft curtains to keep the cold air from going back there and spent the hottest part of the early afternoon in the main cabin reading and were comfortable, but not cool. After dark, we open the aft curtains and, with the help of the fan, it will get comfortable enough to sleep aft. However, after the extreme heat wave this week (6/30 to 7/4) on the bay, this is very likely the last year without real a/c on board either this boat but more likely on a bigger boat (h380 here we come?).
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Rob Anderson
Thanks for the reply
We have a deflector, so we will see how it goes. I think we will install reverse cycle heat and air this winter. Rob Anderson
We have a deflector, so we will see how it goes. I think we will install reverse cycle heat and air this winter. Rob Anderson
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