New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

[peacekeeper6]

I just got rid of the Stamas and got a new Larson 23' Cabin Cruiser. The boat is awsome works great other than a few minor electric problems. The one main problem is the cabin is blistering hot. I was wondering wht are my options in cooling it off? ca i get an airconditioner and put it down in there? or do i have to get fans? thanx for the advice

 

[flashback]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

snake, there are a couple of makes of marine air conditioners out there that are permanent installs , and also carry on portable units. they all require 110v so unless you have a generator, you can only use it at the dock. (assuming you have power at the dock 8)

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

There is a portable marine air conditioning unit that will fit on the bow's topside hatch, into the cabin area. they average about $1200.00, and run on A/C power

 

[Almeja]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

If you're away from the dock,install 12 volt fans... and lots of 'em to keep the air moving. I've found I can be comfortable in almost any temperature if I have a nice breeze blowing over my face. Battery powered portables also work pretty well in a pinch.

If you are in freshwater, you can also rig up a washdown pump and periodically spray water over the topsides to cool things down. Some folks with pressurized water systems onboard are using 'misters' for the same purpose.

You can also rig up sunshades for the boat that keep direct sunlight off the cabin area.. common down in the tropics.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

I Dropped to comfortable Temp.s by installing 95% Limousine Window Film in All my cabin windows........

I'm going to do the Same to the new Houseboat Too,.....
As Soon as it gets to the Dock..........

It's Awhole lot Cheaper than an AC..........

 

[Kevin70]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

Two other options:

1) Keep splashing yourself with ice water.

2) WAIT TILL FALL.

d

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

lol, ok well let me run down what the boat has and then someone might be able to tell me the best solution because i wasnt very specific. I do have electric at the dock. I also have a new generator i am going to put into commision soon. It has a freshwater system and pump but the pump doesnt run all the time. When i get my generator can i make the whole boat run off it at times and the batteries at the flip of a switch? If i do that can i get a permenent unit? i dont wanna lose my deck space up top with a hatch unit. what are the benefits of each?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

either westmarine or basspro has a portable roof top type (camper) a/c unit that sit into the 12 x12 deck hatch, don't remember the electrical requirements

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

has anyone had any interaction with these coolers?

http://www.swampy.net/12vcombo.html

 

[northvanwatertaxi]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

what about taking ac out of a car? adding it to the genset?

 

[flashback]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

snake, if your generator output is adaquate, you should have no problem running a built in unit. although the generator would have to be running whenever the A/C was on.. I don't think there is any practical way of running the A/C from an inverter and batteries although I guess it could be done. Marine units use seawater to cool the condenser and a car unit needs moving air but i guess you could convert it to seawater with a marine style condenser. an interesting idea... d

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

do you mean bolting the car ac unit to the generator and adding a pulley? it couldnt be any harder than adding a super charger to a car except getting the condenser hooked up?

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

I read about a new DIY system called - Cuddy Cool AC System in the June 2006 Issue of Boating Life (my boat is in pices right now with a mid-summer transom and deck replacement so I must resort to reading about boating). This can run off of batteries (short periods) or dock. Check out the link...

http://www.dometicenviro.com/ Click on Marine air systems and click on the self contained units. Small compact and efficient. You may be able to read the article from the publisher archives, boatinglife.com.

Good luck!

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

i couldnt find it but that sonds intriguing, can you give us a link to the thing directly?

 

[northvanwatertaxi]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

I was looking at marine air systems and noticed coleman has marine use ac but not sure if they are any good or not.
I had the idea of adding an auto ac to my ford 302..I'm not sure why boats don't just come with it in the first place. I get heat and hot water using waste heat from the engine and i'm sure it would be easy to take sea water and run that though a swamp cooler using 12 v pump and fans....but I live in Vancouver, just open the window

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

what do you mean a swap cooler?how did you do the waste heat thing? i have a hot water heater but i dont think its hooked up.
i am still thinking on how i would get the auto condensor and evap to work, has anyone had any expereince with the portable air conditioners? not the carry on ones but ones that sit in cabin?

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

also does my new generator have to be water cooled? cna i stick it down below with the engine or will it over heat?

 

[northvanwatertaxi]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

the hot water heater and heater onboard my boat are hooked up to my engine's Fresh water cooling system,(I have a heat exchanger) with 5\8 heater hose. it's the same as heat in your car.

 

[northvanwatertaxi]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

My dad has a built in water cooled onan genset something like 10 kw, He says he would rather use his honda genset,
I bet if you had a 2000 watt one it would run a ac unit.
on my 23' I have everything on 2 deep cycle batterys.
If I can't get to power i have a yamaha genset just to charge batterys but can also run my little ac\dc fridge and tv while it's charging my system up for a quiet night at anchor.

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: New boat, need some advice on cooling it down (NOT ENGINE RELATED)

were did you stow the generator? is it air cooled? when its running is it below under the floor?