Cockpit comfort

Timeflys

Well-Known Member
Dec 7, 2013
731
Thousand Islands, Ontario, Canada
Boat Info
"Frequent Flyer"
2002 Sundancer 360
Engines
Merc Horizon 8.1s
In some models of the 08/09 Sundancers (like the image in the forum header), the windshield enclosure had a LOT of glass with only a small centre vent and hatches in the hardtop. Did these provide enough ventilation to keep the helm comfortable on say an 80f day or did you require the a/c?
FWIW...I boat on freshwater and like the wind in my face. I take the canvas down as soon as I get on the boat..it might be a different experience in salt water.
Just curious....
 
The ac is useless during the day . WAY undersized . But at nite as soon as the sun goes down its priceless. IT also is great in the fall and early spring for heat.
 
That’s a shame, our pilot house acs work just fine. We do have mesh sun shades that snap over all of the pilot house windows and these keep the solar load down. Also having a Hardtop and glass instead of plastic makes a big difference.

H
 
That’s a shame, our pilot house acs work just fine. We do have mesh sun shades that snap over all of the pilot house windows and these keep the solar load down. Also having a Hardtop and glass instead of plastic makes a big difference.

H
I just got a quote to have a set of those mesh shades made for my pilothouse windows.

In the mean time, I made a set of shades out of a roll of Reflectix. It's basically bubble wrap with mylar applied to either side. It's held on to the window frames with some Velcro squares. I went down to the boat at 1pm today, and even with the shades in the front windows only the heat load reduction was very significant. I had one of the two AC units going and set to 82 degrees. It was comfortable. That's with a canvas drop curtain on the back. The Reflectix is pretty cheap.
 
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That’s a shame, our pilot house acs work just fine. We do have mesh sun shades that snap over all of the pilot house windows and these keep the solar load down. Also having a Hardtop and glass instead of plastic makes a big difference.

H
My 340 is very comfortable inside with the AC running. Even on the sh*t filled Merrimack.
 
My 340 is very comfortable inside with the AC running. Even on the sh*t filled Merrimack.

I was being sarcastic. But it has been nasty with all the rain we’ve had earlier this summer. For a stretch I was cleaning the AC strainer weekly. Where are you located? We’re down beside the Coast Guard station.

H
 
I was being sarcastic. But it has been nasty with all the rain we’ve had earlier this summer. For a stretch I was cleaning the AC strainer weekly. Where are you located? We’re down beside the Coast Guard station.

H
We are up river, at the Newburyport Yacht Club
 

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