Drill thru hull

encrypt

encrypt

New Member
Sep 8, 2009
23
La Crescent, MN
Boat Info
290DA Sundancer 2007
Engines
5.0 MPI Bravo III
I own a 2008 260 Sun Dancer. I would like to add air conditioning. I found a few I like but they are water cooled. Is it worth drilling thru the hull for the water intake?:smt100
 
encrypt said:
I own a 2008 260 Sun Dancer. I would like to add air conditioning. I found a few I like but they are water cooled. Is it worth drilling thru the hull for the water intake?:smt100
Click to expand...

If you wish to add marine air conditioning then yes, that is how it’s done.

If you are looking to self install the air conditioning yet are not comfortable installing the thru hull simply hire a local Sea Ray or other reputable marine mechanic to do that task for you.
 
Thanks for the response. Do you know where on the 260 the a/c unit is mounted? It looks to me it would mount under the seat behind the captains chair.
 
encrypt said:
Thanks for the response. Do you know where on the 260 the a/c unit is mounted? It looks to me it would mount under the seat behind the captains chair.
Click to expand...


I believe the factory puts the A/C unit in the bilge. See page #88 & page #89, look at part #12 here:

http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/_24_129200920545PM.pdf

Study this manual page by page looking for the word air conditioning on each page. You will see where Sea Ray puts all the various parts.


Keep in mind you will have several parts for a marine air condition system :

#1) the thru hull to bring water into the boat.
#2) A Seacock, a shutoff valve directly attached to the thru-hull.
#3) A sea strainer, a mesh filter to catch debris
#4) A Water pump
#5) The A/C unit, air intake, ductwork, air filter.
#6) Thru hull above the waterline for the water to exit.
#7) A variety of hoses, clamps, cable ties, wiring, breaker
#8) Labor to install.

Ballpark this will total about $4,000-$4,800 on a boat your size with the installation labor running at about $1,000-$1,500 of the total.
 
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Most manufacturers of marine a/c units offer them with a complete "install kit" as well- that make it a "no-brainer" for a DIY installation. They include everything from the raw water pump and hoses to ductwork and grilles to hose clamps.

Example:
Mermaid 9K BTU with reverse cycle heat:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|6880|48359|812829|813257&id=207748

Deluxe install kit:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|6880|48359|812829|813258&id=180819

Total for both around $2400...all you gotta do is put it in.
 
Have you made a decision? Are you still planning to get a built in A/C system? DIY or have it done?

Just a warning, having AC onboard is like trying drugs. The AC will cause you to spend more time onboard. This causes you to want more stuff like a generator, internet, etc.

Pretty soon you decide you don’t have enough room so then you need to upsize.

You get a bigger boat then you have room to add more stuff.

Then it starts all over.
 
Adding AC, now that's a cool mod :grin:

Pres is right, however, just don't go buying a portable Honda generator to power the AC...:smt101
 
Stray Cat said:
Adding AC, now that's a cool mod :grin:

Pres is right, however, just don't go buying a portable Honda generator to power the AC...:smt101
Click to expand...

I agree, way overpriced. Get the $50 harbor freight portable generator. (Incase it’s not coming across, I’m trying to be funny)

Seriously encrypt, only consider this if you intend to use this often and keep this boat or money is no object.

Adding mods to a boat adds nearly no value come sell time. I’m not saying $0, just the value of the boat goes up only a fraction of the money spent.

Consider a portable hatch A/C unit. Gulp; did I just actually say that?

They are a pain to haul on and off, you need to store them somewhere, they are just ugly but they do offer some relief from that Wisconsin heat we get 2 or 3 days a year, even in La Crossr, where ever that is.


35258_M1.jpg


$800

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?r=view&i=35258
 
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I'm going to chime in here in defense of the hatch unit. Keeping in mind the small size of my, (and the OP's boat).

For the most part, the unit is stored on the floor in the cabin. It takes the Admiral and me about 3 minutes to get it through the hatch, on deck & running.

The unit cools the cabin on a boat my size just fine. In fact, If it were just me I'd set it on low fan speed @ about 3/4 temp. The wife on the other hand feels the need to prevent any insect infiltration by means of continual temperature reduction.

True, the unit will not heat. However, You'll have none of the potential leaks associated with thru hulls, pumps, plumbing, overflowing sumps & the like.

As mentioned earlier, recouping the cost of a full blown air/heat unit may be an issue. Sure some, including myself would pay for it if it were installed, but you you may have to wait longer for the right buyer.

Depending where you would mount the unit and its components, just remember it takes up space that as all small boat owners know is at a premium. On my 250 with the 7.4, there is no room down there for anything else. So the wife would loose "her cabinet" under the galley sink or under one side of the V.

My next boat will have built in heat/air, no doubt about it. But, again, for a 25' boat, when the costs and space are considered. I think the hatch unit is more practical than installing a full heat/air system.
 
Well I took your information and spoke to my wife, we decided to look into trading our 2008 260 sundancer for a 2007 290 sundancer. We decided to start negotiations for the trade. The 290 has heat/AC and other nice features. The only thing it does not have is a genny. Where is a good place to go for looking up the value of the boats?
 
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