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

snakethis69 · #1 July 16th, 2006, 04:06 PM

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 · #2 July 16th, 2006, 04:16 PM

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 · #3 July 16th, 2006, 04:30 PM

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 · #4 July 16th, 2006, 06:45 PM

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.

Bond-o · #5 July 16th, 2006, 09:25 PM

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 · #6 July 16th, 2006, 10:13 PM

Two other options:

1) Keep splashing yourself with ice water.

2) WAIT TILL FALL.

d

snakethis69 · #7 July 16th, 2006, 11:38 PM

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 · #8 July 17th, 2006, 12:02 AM

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

snakethis69 · #9 July 17th, 2006, 03:29 AM

has anyone had any interaction with these coolers?

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

northvanwatertaxi · #10 July 17th, 2006, 10:19 AM

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

flashback · #11 July 17th, 2006, 11:38 AM

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

snakethis69 · #12 July 17th, 2006, 01:00 PM

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 · #13 July 17th, 2006, 01:02 PM

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!

snakethis69 · #14 July 17th, 2006, 03:33 PM

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

northvanwatertaxi · #15 July 17th, 2006, 03:40 PM

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 :-P

snakethis69 · #16 July 18th, 2006, 04:06 AM

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?

snakethis69 · #17 July 18th, 2006, 04:30 AM

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 · #18 July 18th, 2006, 12:49 PM

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 · #19 July 18th, 2006, 12:55 PM

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.

snakethis69 · #20 July 18th, 2006, 02:28 PM

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

snakethis69 · #21 July 18th, 2006, 02:33 PM

so what all would be needed for a car air conditioner to go in? would it be strong enough to cool the cabin? i am assuming i would need a car compressor, and a marine condensor, and a salt water pump with through hull fittings and what else?

northvanwatertaxi · #22 July 18th, 2006, 03:27 PM

I just take the generator out and put it on the swimgrid it's air cooled and very small , easy to store in a hatch under the floor. I won't run a generator inside the boat

The condenser can be cooled with a 12 volt fan from a import car. that's the way some boat fridges work.

KRS · #23 July 19th, 2006, 02:32 AM

Stop staring at bikini girls.. heart will slow... pulse will slow... you will feel cooler

Manipulator · #24 July 19th, 2006, 11:14 AM

If you have shore power here is what you do. Typically a person wants air for at night when it's hot. Go to Wal-Mart and buy one of their $80 5000btu air conditioners or I've seen them at Lowe's for $64 from time to time. Mount it to a piece of wood and then buy some canvas to attach around the top and sides of the air conditioner with snaps. Set the air conditioner on the nose of the boat secured with bungee cords and put the canvas over the hatch. Blows right into the cabin. It will drive you outta there. This is a redneck technology folks and works well. I should patent it. An easy solution without spending the big bucks. In the morning just fold up the canvas and set the air conditioner on the dock (the aren't that heavy) and go boating.

Purduebarry · #25 July 19th, 2006, 01:27 PM

Here is the direct link...it is in the Marine Air Systems Section...

http://www.marineair.com/contained/index.html