Old boater but new to Sea Ray 250, how do I add AC ?

P

Paul Cheverie

New Member
Apr 30, 2018
6
Boat Info
250 Sundance 1989 with bow pulpit ( adds 2 ft ) single IO
Engines
Single
my Sea Ray is old , like me. But we are relocating to SC and I know it gets hot down there. Expect I’ll need AC.
Any input you may have will be greatly appreciated !
Paul Cheverie on Once Again
 
Already have a generator on board?

I've seen some through hatch options that seem to look and function well.

Otherwise it's a pricey addition.
 
Too much $$$ to add a "real" marine system - and if you don't have a gen, you cant run it away from the dock anyway - I would look at a marine unit designed to go over the "hatch" over the v-berth (much like a window unit for your home) or a portable room style free standing one (probably even cheaper)
 
ac-demo-- (1).JPG
 
Little Ducky said:
Already have a generator on board?

I've seen some through hatch options that seem to look and function well.

Otherwise it's a pricey addition.
Click to expand...
No Generator, I do have a Honda portable very quiet I plan to use when we are on the hook. Other wise we will be on the dock with shore power.
Thanks for the input, I’ll look at the thru hatch units.
 
Paul Cheverie said:
No Generator, I do have a Honda portable very quiet I plan to use when we are on the hook.
Click to expand...

I know you only have 3 posts on this forum but please take a look at all the generator threads before thinking about using a portable generator. I think there might be an entire section on CSR about using non marine generators and their dangers. Heck poorly maintained marine generators can kill as well. So be careful and think through the possibility of CO poisoning.
 
Forget a generator on that boat, you are probably looking at north of $10k by the time you get it installed. As far as using a portable generator - people do it, it can be dangerous, just do your homework and make your own decisions. CO is real and it can kill you and boats with running generators (installed or portable) can be a perfect place for things to go wrong.

The marine AC/Heatpump is a different story. Marine Air has units for @ $1500 and installation is not out of the question for a DIY. Trust me, I have lived in the south my whole life - I would not even consider spending a summer night ANYWHERE in SC without AC. One of the main things I enjoyed about our old Sundancer was going to bed in that cold AC on a hot steamy night. If you want to do any overnighting on your boat from May-Sept I would consider it a must.
 
Maggieiscrazy said:
I looked into a/c for my boat and quickly realized it would be more economical to sell my boat and buy a boat that already had a/c
Click to expand...
You are quite right and that is probably the wisest comment anyone has ever said on this forum.
Shawn
 
It's kind of like the question, "What's the most economical way to make my boat go faster?" Answer: "Sell your boat and buy a faster boat."

We are not being disrespectful....but we are being honest.
 
I still think a DIY AC install could be reasonable option - if you like the boat and a new boat is not in the budget, a couple of thousand $$ could really increase your enjoyment of the boat. I can't say enough, if you are not from the south, summers in SC are HOT and HUMID, you will not like sleeping on that boat without AC.
 
I don't recommend this personally, and echo the others' comments about doing research to make your own educated decision. I do live in the south, and agree it's horrible to try to sleep without AC; my integrated generator bit the dust so we've adjusted our boating habits somewhat. Definitely a lot easier to do when my shore power isn't miles away like it is for some on this forum!

However, a boater in our crew--I think his is a 260 or 270 DA, also late '80s model--uses a portable generator to power a portable, upright, in-cabin AC/dehumidifier. He stows the AC unit in the aft sleeping area when not in use to avoid dealing with daily hatch install/removal, as he tends to fish a lot and do shore runs to pick up friends/family as well so prefers to keep the bow clear.

Again, if you haven't yet, please do a lot of research about portable generators in the marine environment, but if you're firm on that plan already, a portable AC may be an economical choice considering the size of your cabin.
 
Little Ducky said:
I know you only have 3 posts on this forum but please take a look at all the generator threads before thinking about using a portable generator. I think there might be an entire section on CSR about using non marine generators and their dangers. Heck poorly maintained marine generators can kill as well. So be careful and think through the possibility of CO poisoning.
Click to expand...
Thanks, my last boat was 38 Trawler it’s gen exhausted out the STBD side. I was careful to close up all openings on stbd side.
On this boat I have harness made to allow the gen to operate on the swim platform. Should be OK.
 
trflgrl said:
I don't recommend this personally, and echo the others' comments about doing research to make your own educated decision. I do live in the south, and agree it's horrible to try to sleep without AC; my integrated generator bit the dust so we've adjusted our boating habits somewhat. Definitely a lot easier to do when my shore power isn't miles away like it is for some on this forum!

However, a boater in our crew--I think his is a 260 or 270 DA, also late '80s model--uses a portable generator to power a portable, upright, in-cabin AC/dehumidifier. He stows the AC unit in the aft sleeping area when not in use to avoid dealing with daily hatch install/removal, as he tends to fish a lot and do shore runs to pick up friends/family as well so prefers to keep the bow clear.

Again, if you haven't yet, please do a lot of research about portable generators in the marine environment, but if you're firm on that plan already, a portable AC may be an economical choice considering the size of your cabin.
Click to expand...

Thanks ,I’ve checked out the hatch mounted AC, too heavy and moving it would be a problem for me.
Next step is to look at the portable upright AC. As I recall the previous owner used it. I am concerned that there isn’t a lot of room for it.
Thanks Again
 
Paul Cheverie said:
Thanks ,I’ve checked out the hatch mounted AC, too heavy and moving it would be a problem for me.
Next step is to look at the portable upright AC. As I recall the previous owner used it. I am concerned that there isn’t a lot of room for it.
Thanks Again
Click to expand...
 
I also had a 1988 250 CC (great boat!) and I had a thru the hatch A/C unit, 5000 BTU's worked great! But does need shore power to run. I don't think a generator would cut it, and for a 25' boat, hardly worth it. We used a 12V fan most days out on the water, worked well for NJ.
 
Paul Cheverie said:
Thanks, my last boat was 38 Trawler it’s gen exhausted out the STBD side. I was careful to close up all openings on stbd side.
On this boat I have harness made to allow the gen to operate on the swim platform. Should be OK.
Click to expand...
There are more dangers than benefits to a portable generator on the platform. Do a LOT of research before going that route. What is the safety of your family worth?
 
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