My used Beneteau arrived from Texas with air conditioning. Many said that it seemed to be an excessive option for a sailboat. Hell with that...best damn feature of the vessel. After a serious day of sailing there was nothing like kicking back with a cold beer and the air on. I suggest that you look into it as a really great option. Worth every nickle. Harold
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No Kidding
I'm from Ct originally and I have been around boats all my life . Never saw air conditioning on a boat . Down here it is common. A much needed accessory for sure in the lower states. I sure am enjoying mine.Don't need it much up north . But then again there are those DOG DAYS of summer. So kick back and have a cold one for those that don't and by all means share and you'll be surprised how your boat will have new visitors on those hot days of summer
I'm from Ct originally and I have been around boats all my life . Never saw air conditioning on a boat . Down here it is common. A much needed accessory for sure in the lower states. I sure am enjoying mine.Don't need it much up north . But then again there are those DOG DAYS of summer. So kick back and have a cold one for those that don't and by all means share and you'll be surprised how your boat will have new visitors on those hot days of summer
Way to go
I'm orig from NY and never owned AC on anything except my car. After living in the south, AC is as important as heat is to you in the winter months up north. Started living aboard about 6 years ago or so on the northern gulf coast( The Redneck Riviera). It is impossible to live without it.Even though your summer season is much shorter than ours in the south, it still gets hot up there. Maybe you will even spend more time on your boat .
I'm orig from NY and never owned AC on anything except my car. After living in the south, AC is as important as heat is to you in the winter months up north. Started living aboard about 6 years ago or so on the northern gulf coast( The Redneck Riviera). It is impossible to live without it.Even though your summer season is much shorter than ours in the south, it still gets hot up there. Maybe you will even spend more time on your boat .
Terry P.S. I've got both and keep'n 'em, too.AC
One glance at the location of the previous poster explains his position! In Oklahoma in the summer, it's no nights on board without AC...remember, this is supposed to be fun.
One glance at the location of the previous poster explains his position! In Oklahoma in the summer, it's no nights on board without AC...remember, this is supposed to be fun.
Heat!
Can't see paying for AC (and a genny to run it if not at a dock) Heat on the other had would be a welcome sight on cool spring and fall days. Russell
Can't see paying for AC (and a genny to run it if not at a dock) Heat on the other had would be a welcome sight on cool spring and fall days. Russell
AC a Necessity
AC is a necessity in the south if you're going to sleep on your boat in July and August. It is a fact that the economy in the south was rescued by the invention of air conditioning. Anyone who thinks AC isn't necessary in the south hasn't spent a summer in the south!
AC is a necessity in the south if you're going to sleep on your boat in July and August. It is a fact that the economy in the south was rescued by the invention of air conditioning. Anyone who thinks AC isn't necessary in the south hasn't spent a summer in the south!
Have It, Won't Be Without It
A couple of years ago, I bought a portable AC for my O'Day 25 (it's basically enclosed in a Samsonite suitcase, with an external water pump). It freezes us out on the O'Day 25. When we bought our Coronado 6 months ago, we always (except for the one time I forgot it) take it with us. It doesn't do as well on the bigger boat, but it was only temporary until we bought a permenant AC unit for the Coronado. Picked up a 12,000 BTU unit on eBay for $140 plus shipping. I'm thrilled. Our boats are in North Texas and Louisiana. Trust me, one weekend on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of July, and you'll be a believer in AC.
A couple of years ago, I bought a portable AC for my O'Day 25 (it's basically enclosed in a Samsonite suitcase, with an external water pump). It freezes us out on the O'Day 25. When we bought our Coronado 6 months ago, we always (except for the one time I forgot it) take it with us. It doesn't do as well on the bigger boat, but it was only temporary until we bought a permenant AC unit for the Coronado. Picked up a 12,000 BTU unit on eBay for $140 plus shipping. I'm thrilled. Our boats are in North Texas and Louisiana. Trust me, one weekend on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of July, and you'll be a believer in AC.
Didn't use It this year
We have a carry on air conditioner and never bothered to carry it on this year. We like to anchor out and there is usually a breeze. I confess a couple of nights were warm at the dock and we used a fan. But I guess it shows that it didn't bother us enough to get the carry on out of the garage. I would like a permanent mount water cooled unit but it's not a priority. Several people on our dock have bought the little honda generators so that they can be cool at anchor. I'd rather sweat than listen to a generator all night. Sailing to me is getting close to nature. If you are locked below with your stereo,TV,wireless internet and AC you aren't very close to nature. But that's OK too. Tom
We have a carry on air conditioner and never bothered to carry it on this year. We like to anchor out and there is usually a breeze. I confess a couple of nights were warm at the dock and we used a fan. But I guess it shows that it didn't bother us enough to get the carry on out of the garage. I would like a permanent mount water cooled unit but it's not a priority. Several people on our dock have bought the little honda generators so that they can be cool at anchor. I'd rather sweat than listen to a generator all night. Sailing to me is getting close to nature. If you are locked below with your stereo,TV,wireless internet and AC you aren't very close to nature. But that's OK too. Tom
Retro-fit cost
Here's a unit from wright marine a/c. They run about $2000 for a 9000btu output, and about $2000 more to install, plus the generator if you're not at a slip $2000= $6000. I'm thinking of buying a honda generator, plug it into a small portable a/c unit ($150) total cost $2150. There were several nights this summer at 90 degrees plus, no wind, high humidity, six people in a 33 footer, thinking I need some cooling.
Here's a unit from wright marine a/c. They run about $2000 for a 9000btu output, and about $2000 more to install, plus the generator if you're not at a slip $2000= $6000. I'm thinking of buying a honda generator, plug it into a small portable a/c unit ($150) total cost $2150. There were several nights this summer at 90 degrees plus, no wind, high humidity, six people in a 33 footer, thinking I need some cooling.
You Can get Used to Heat
Believe it or not even in the summer at Panama city I usually get cold towards morning and find a blanket. This year it was really uncomfortable only a few times in July and August. An evening thunderstorm is usually around cooling things off. We are considering cruising and AC would add a lot of expense. If you just accept the heat and don't try to hide in air conditioned spaces you'll be surprised how nice it can be. The same thing is true with the cold. I've been backpacking in the winter for 5 days when it only got above freezing a couple of hours in the afternoon. At night it was in the low teens. We had a great time!!!! Our bodies have an amazing ability to adjust to different climates. But it takes a few weeks.
Believe it or not even in the summer at Panama city I usually get cold towards morning and find a blanket. This year it was really uncomfortable only a few times in July and August. An evening thunderstorm is usually around cooling things off. We are considering cruising and AC would add a lot of expense. If you just accept the heat and don't try to hide in air conditioned spaces you'll be surprised how nice it can be. The same thing is true with the cold. I've been backpacking in the winter for 5 days when it only got above freezing a couple of hours in the afternoon. At night it was in the low teens. We had a great time!!!! Our bodies have an amazing ability to adjust to different climates. But it takes a few weeks.
WILLIAM !!!!!!
I have a catalina 30 and i installed a 16K Mermaid AC/Heater heat pump model by myself. The hardest part is the lifting of the unit in place, it will take 2 large Bubba's to do it. Once it sets in place, the wiring was about 4 hours, mostly trying to fig out where to put the control panel and thermostat. About 4 more hours cut holes and run the ductwork, and about another 4 hours to make my own plenum. The one that came with the unit did not serve my situation. Its not that difficult to do. I do know , however, i wouldnt trust anyone else to do it for me. We live aboard and normally live back and forthe between Biloxi and Slidell. The 16K is the one you really need. When anchored out, we dont really need it. Its most needed at the dock where you are closer to the world of concrete and asphalt. We dont have a generator, so i wouldnt even attempt to tell you what size to get. Something to think about.
I have a catalina 30 and i installed a 16K Mermaid AC/Heater heat pump model by myself. The hardest part is the lifting of the unit in place, it will take 2 large Bubba's to do it. Once it sets in place, the wiring was about 4 hours, mostly trying to fig out where to put the control panel and thermostat. About 4 more hours cut holes and run the ductwork, and about another 4 hours to make my own plenum. The one that came with the unit did not serve my situation. Its not that difficult to do. I do know , however, i wouldnt trust anyone else to do it for me. We live aboard and normally live back and forthe between Biloxi and Slidell. The 16K is the one you really need. When anchored out, we dont really need it. Its most needed at the dock where you are closer to the world of concrete and asphalt. We dont have a generator, so i wouldnt even attempt to tell you what size to get. Something to think about.
William
I don't think there's any reason you can't do that. You will more then $2000 dollars plus you can pull the unit from the boat when hot summer is overed. If a portable AC isn't cool enough then I would just add a circulation fan. Drawback is that you will have a exhaust duct to deal with. Just a question: Seems you budget $2000 for Honda, why it's so much if you need only a 1KW generator for a portable AC(a 9000 BTU unit needs about only 700W)
I don't think there's any reason you can't do that. You will more then $2000 dollars plus you can pull the unit from the boat when hot summer is overed. If a portable AC isn't cool enough then I would just add a circulation fan. Drawback is that you will have a exhaust duct to deal with. Just a question: Seems you budget $2000 for Honda, why it's so much if you need only a 1KW generator for a portable AC(a 9000 BTU unit needs about only 700W)
Honda eu2000i
I just bought this unit for $830, It runs quiet and puts out more than enough power for me. I'm keeping it at home in case the power goes out this winter, it should be able to run the tv and some lights, and this summer it'll be on the boat. I'm looking for a quiet, cheap, portable A/C, any suggestions?
I just bought this unit for $830, It runs quiet and puts out more than enough power for me. I'm keeping it at home in case the power goes out this winter, it should be able to run the tv and some lights, and this summer it'll be on the boat. I'm looking for a quiet, cheap, portable A/C, any suggestions?
Starting amps
William, it's all about starting amps. The electric motors in an AC will require enough amps to start, and get up to speed, then will drop down. You have to co-ordinate the amps available from your generator with what is required from the AC, and you'd better leave a little leeway. If you get an AC that pulls too many amps for your generator, it will not start the compressor. Make sure that the AC that you get is within the capability of your generator.
William, it's all about starting amps. The electric motors in an AC will require enough amps to start, and get up to speed, then will drop down. You have to co-ordinate the amps available from your generator with what is required from the AC, and you'd better leave a little leeway. If you get an AC that pulls too many amps for your generator, it will not start the compressor. Make sure that the AC that you get is within the capability of your generator.
Cruiseair 7000 btu drop in...
reportedly works on the 2000. Also, I'm told that the Mermaid 5000 btu will also run on it, but I haven't tried either.
reportedly works on the 2000. Also, I'm told that the Mermaid 5000 btu will also run on it, but I haven't tried either.
THIS WORKS GREAT........
I picked up a 5250 BTU AC from SEARS...stuck it in the HATCHWAY...Neatly...and those HOT SUMMER NIGHTS are "long gone"....WORKS GREAT, and very comfy! We run it on "LOW COOL".... AND...its portability makes it GREAT for removal, storing, sailing, or WHATEVER. This is an inexpensive measure to any THRIFTIES who like to avoid Throwing Dollars at "over kill" measures that DONT WORK ANY BETTER..."happy comfy sailing"
I picked up a 5250 BTU AC from SEARS...stuck it in the HATCHWAY...Neatly...and those HOT SUMMER NIGHTS are "long gone"....WORKS GREAT, and very comfy! We run it on "LOW COOL".... AND...its portability makes it GREAT for removal, storing, sailing, or WHATEVER. This is an inexpensive measure to any THRIFTIES who like to avoid Throwing Dollars at "over kill" measures that DONT WORK ANY BETTER..."happy comfy sailing"
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