Howdy all,
I've come to conclusion that the a/c in my boat does not work the best in the world. We live in central Texas and when the air temp outside reaches the high 90s or above the inside of our boat is a about 5 degrees cooler. The blower that is on the unit doesn't tend to push much air and it is an older unit. I am looking for suggestions on a new AC that would bring down the temp more but I am not sure what size I should go with or what brand. the unit that we currently have is a cuirsair II (the model now is V). It looks like most people go with a 16,000 btu unit but I wanted to see if some that has to deal with the type of heat we see in Texas has any input/suggestions.
regards,
Mike
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
Mike,
Not wanting to sound snotty, but have you tried searching this site? Forums? Upgrades? Maintenance? There have been lots of articles written on this subject. I know there have also been a few in JibSheet.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Tom,
no offensive taken, I did do a seach of the web site and while there are several article on INSTALLING a a/c or where it was install I didn't find a discussion on the sizing of a a/c unit related to this part of the world. It might be there but I didn't see it. while a 16000 BTU unit might work great on the eastern seaboard. It might not work as well here. for example the LOW temp in Dallas today was 79 and the high is going to be somewhere around 101. I was hoping to draw on experience from folks that have their boats in the southern part of the country. I have talked to the folks on my dock but none of them have a 36 so it is a bit hard for me to take the information that they provided and relate it directly the configuration that we have in our boat. It appears that the upper limit is somewhere around 18000 btu because of considerations to the curcit size that shoreside attachment. I will check again to see if is missed some information but if anyone has any direct experince dealing with this type of heat it would prove to be useful in selecting unit.
regards
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
Mine is a cruiseair 16000 BTU and I used it extensively on Lake Mead when is was frequently over 110 and it worked fine lowering the temperature to the 80's during the day and lower at night when the air temperature cooled. Before spending big money, I suggest you may need a service or the unit may need a freon charge. I assume you have checked the air intake filters.
John Meyer
Hilbre 2135
John Meyer
Hilbre
C36 MKll, Hull 2135
Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, CA
Mike,
I can say that on my MKII the boat is on the cusp for needing 2 units for day time usage in Texas summers.
I have a 16K, Marine Air, unit that will keep it in the low 80s when we venture in to the 100s outside. This is still pretty good considering that there is next to no isullation on the boat, almost a 20 degree delta, but it will run all day long. Once the sun is off the boat, it will cycle set at 70 during the nights.
Bill, a fellow Fleet 15 member of both of ours at GP, did put in a second small unit under the V-berth behind the starboard pulll out locker. I think it was a 5k BTU unit.
Other things that help save a couple degrees are the Peek-a-boo shutters vs. curtains, and hatch covers. Being up against the windows the shutters keep the direct light out. But they can be a little pricey.
MarineAir has a 18000 BTU unit but I haven't done much research on it. It looks like it might be able to fit in the same spot if the old unit ever goes.
Jack
Solstice
Hull #1598
1996 MKII/TR/FK - M35AC - 3 Blade MaxProp
Lake Texoma
www.texomasailing.org
Mike
Take a look at the Wabasto FCF units. They have a great price and better warranty, 2 year full replacement.
[QUOTE=ciscocat;5575]Howdy all,
I've come to conclusion that the a/c in my boat does not work the best in the world. We live in central Texas and when the air temp outside reaches the high 90s or above the inside of our boat is a about 5 degrees cooler. The blower that is on the unit doesn't tend to push much air and it is an older unit. I am looking for suggestions on a new AC that would bring down the temp more but I am not sure what size I should go with or what brand. the unit that we currently have is a cuirsair II (the model now is V). It looks like most people go with a 16,000 btu unit but I wanted to see if some that has to deal with the type of heat we see in Texas has any input/suggestions.
regards,
Mike[/QUOTE]
Capt Chuck & Linda Reed
Silent Dream 1983 # 91
http://www.CruisingOnSilentDream.blogspot.com
All,
thanks for the input, I'm not sure what I am going to do yet but all were good suggestions. I don't know that I necessarily need the inside of the boat at 70 degrees in the hottest part of the day. I would like to have it cooled down to something under a 5 degree variance however. it gets a might hot when the inside temp reads 95 and the outside temp reads 100!
regards,
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig