I am looking for information on the two portable air conditioning units that are available through West Marine, etc. - the Cruisair Carry-On and the Kruzin Kool 7. Anyone have experience with these units? The Kruzin Kool is more expensive, but it is lighter and seems to be a bit more portable. Would this be a good unit for a 260? Can anyone explain the water cooling system of the Kruzin Kool? Thanks for all your input and all the invaluable info I have learned while reading your posts. Good sailing. -Karen
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Don
Crusaire works great
I use one on my H31 and it cools the place well, except for the hottest of middays. It runs like a window a/c, all the time and the compressor cuts in and out. Once you get the boat cooled down it works well. I suspect for a 26 it would get down right chilly if you ran it all night. But, it is somewhat cumbersome to haul around and store on the boat. I spend a lot of time dockside 'cuz I'm lazy, so the benefit far outweights the cost for me.
I use one on my H31 and it cools the place well, except for the hottest of middays. It runs like a window a/c, all the time and the compressor cuts in and out. Once you get the boat cooled down it works well. I suspect for a 26 it would get down right chilly if you ran it all night. But, it is somewhat cumbersome to haul around and store on the boat. I spend a lot of time dockside 'cuz I'm lazy, so the benefit far outweights the cost for me.
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Bryan C.
Cruiseaire
The cruiseaire is only a 4800 BTU unit, so it is only going to help so much. But I agree that it makes a difference, even on our 35. If nothing else, it helps cool it down at night enough to make sleeping more comfortable. On the reliability side, I can report that our unit was dumped in the Bay for 3 days after a hurricane, and after soaking it in the pool and drying out, it still worked.
The cruiseaire is only a 4800 BTU unit, so it is only going to help so much. But I agree that it makes a difference, even on our 35. If nothing else, it helps cool it down at night enough to make sleeping more comfortable. On the reliability side, I can report that our unit was dumped in the Bay for 3 days after a hurricane, and after soaking it in the pool and drying out, it still worked.
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Ralph C. Regar
Crusaire
I have a Crusaire for my H260. As has already been mentioned, it is less effective during the hottest part of the day, but, that is when you will be outside having fun!! It really works well for a boat the size of the 260. I found that it does not fit well over the forward hatch, so I had some plywood cut so that it fits over the companionway hatch. This has two advantages. First, the hatch is retracted and replaced by the plywood pieces, which eliminates the "greenhouse effect" of the plexiglass sliding cover. The second benefit is that the cool air is directed into the galley and quarterberth area where it is most needed. When sailing, it can be lashed down on the sea hood, far enough aft that it does not interfere with the vang, or secured somewhere at our slip. Taking it with you will eliminate the problems associated with carrying it from the boat to shore. If you would like dimensions and photos, I can E-mail them to you. Let me know at regars@juno.com Happy sailing! Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala
I have a Crusaire for my H260. As has already been mentioned, it is less effective during the hottest part of the day, but, that is when you will be outside having fun!! It really works well for a boat the size of the 260. I found that it does not fit well over the forward hatch, so I had some plywood cut so that it fits over the companionway hatch. This has two advantages. First, the hatch is retracted and replaced by the plywood pieces, which eliminates the "greenhouse effect" of the plexiglass sliding cover. The second benefit is that the cool air is directed into the galley and quarterberth area where it is most needed. When sailing, it can be lashed down on the sea hood, far enough aft that it does not interfere with the vang, or secured somewhere at our slip. Taking it with you will eliminate the problems associated with carrying it from the boat to shore. If you would like dimensions and photos, I can E-mail them to you. Let me know at regars@juno.com Happy sailing! Ralph C. Regar S/V Shambala
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Rick Webb
I have been considering...
a small window unit placed in the companionway. I know it looks tacky but one can be had for $150 a whole lot cheaper than the purpose built ones for boats. It will render the companionway inaccesable except vertically and I am concerned about the condensation leaving a stain in the cockpit. I figure it would keep the mildew production down and keep it cool enough for me to hide in the boat when the wife wants the grass cut. Anyone else try this? I have looked at those $700 units and it just seems like alot of money just to stay cool. I am glad to hear that they do work well if I do go that way.
a small window unit placed in the companionway. I know it looks tacky but one can be had for $150 a whole lot cheaper than the purpose built ones for boats. It will render the companionway inaccesable except vertically and I am concerned about the condensation leaving a stain in the cockpit. I figure it would keep the mildew production down and keep it cool enough for me to hide in the boat when the wife wants the grass cut. Anyone else try this? I have looked at those $700 units and it just seems like alot of money just to stay cool. I am glad to hear that they do work well if I do go that way.
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Alan Long
Cruiseair
Ah...it is apparent that those hot, humid days of summer are upon us. I have a Cruiseair that I was lucky enough to find used for $300.00. Best money I ever spent. I mount mine over the forward hatch on my 23.5. We sleep in the V berth so it is nice and cool there, but during the hottest part of a July day in Virginia it gets a little stuffy in the main part of the cabin. I put a section of small galvanized chain around the ac unit carrying handle and attach the main halyard to it. I then pick up the Cruisesair and have my mate cleat the halyard, suspending the unit a couple of feet off the deck. Then I swing it around above the open sliding hatch and lower it into the cabin. Installation is the reverse except using the jib halyard. It is lighweight enough to just lug it up there, but I figure is is just a matter of time before I trip and dump the thing into the Chesapeake. Reliability has been amazing considering all the bumps and knocks it has taken. Only drawback is that sometimes I get just a bit of condensation dripping inside the boat, but the relief from the heat is well worth it. I too have been interested by the various water cooled portable units and I'd be interested in others experiences with them. The higher capacity, lighter weight and lower electrical consumption are tempting. Keep Cool Alan Long S/V Random Access
Ah...it is apparent that those hot, humid days of summer are upon us. I have a Cruiseair that I was lucky enough to find used for $300.00. Best money I ever spent. I mount mine over the forward hatch on my 23.5. We sleep in the V berth so it is nice and cool there, but during the hottest part of a July day in Virginia it gets a little stuffy in the main part of the cabin. I put a section of small galvanized chain around the ac unit carrying handle and attach the main halyard to it. I then pick up the Cruisesair and have my mate cleat the halyard, suspending the unit a couple of feet off the deck. Then I swing it around above the open sliding hatch and lower it into the cabin. Installation is the reverse except using the jib halyard. It is lighweight enough to just lug it up there, but I figure is is just a matter of time before I trip and dump the thing into the Chesapeake. Reliability has been amazing considering all the bumps and knocks it has taken. Only drawback is that sometimes I get just a bit of condensation dripping inside the boat, but the relief from the heat is well worth it. I too have been interested by the various water cooled portable units and I'd be interested in others experiences with them. The higher capacity, lighter weight and lower electrical consumption are tempting. Keep Cool Alan Long S/V Random Access
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Michael Fyffe
Just got a Kruzin Kool
Just picked up a Kruzin Kool on Fri. By Sat. morn' we had to turn it up, it was too cold! The water cooling works like the bigger (built in) units and takes the heat out of your boat. They use a pump and hose system that you just hang over the side for pickup and return. I do have a small drip I'm troubleshooting with the factory but I would recomend it. Mike sends S/V Camelot
Just picked up a Kruzin Kool on Fri. By Sat. morn' we had to turn it up, it was too cold! The water cooling works like the bigger (built in) units and takes the heat out of your boat. They use a pump and hose system that you just hang over the side for pickup and return. I do have a small drip I'm troubleshooting with the factory but I would recomend it. Mike sends S/V Camelot
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Eric on S/V Troon
Reply to Rick Webb
I did the 'window unit in the companionway' trick and it works OK, but takes awhile to balance the unit so that it drains out into the cockpit instead of the cabin. Also, each time I go sailing, it has to be hauled off the boat and then re-balanced when I return. For the price, it works well, and the cool and dry cabin is sure nice, just one more item to load and unload. If you go this route, be sure to measure your companionway width and check the width of the unit before you buy.......many are too wide to fit. Good luck. Eric on S/V Troon
I did the 'window unit in the companionway' trick and it works OK, but takes awhile to balance the unit so that it drains out into the cockpit instead of the cabin. Also, each time I go sailing, it has to be hauled off the boat and then re-balanced when I return. For the price, it works well, and the cool and dry cabin is sure nice, just one more item to load and unload. If you go this route, be sure to measure your companionway width and check the width of the unit before you buy.......many are too wide to fit. Good luck. Eric on S/V Troon
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Michael O'Mara
Placement of CruiseAir Unit
I'm curious where other owners have placed their CruiseAir units on the Hunter 31. The best place would seem to be in the hatch above the main salon just aft of the mast. Is this area too small for the air conditioner or do most people use the v-berth hatch? -regards, O'
I'm curious where other owners have placed their CruiseAir units on the Hunter 31. The best place would seem to be in the hatch above the main salon just aft of the mast. Is this area too small for the air conditioner or do most people use the v-berth hatch? -regards, O'
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