Fan to keep you cooler outside on the boat

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
I replaced both raw water impellers this weekend. Though the boat is in a covered slip I think I overheated/dehydrated Friday. I was getting dizzy/woozy and fought off hamstring cramps later that night. Saturday morning a dock mate lent my a fan like this, which made a huge difference in the engine compartment:

https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-X12905-Velocity-Ventilating-Exhausting/dp/B07WNYB65S/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1RDMHTOXLWDPT&keywords=move+air+fan&qid=1657121355&sprefix=move+air+fan,aps,76&sr=8-8

I had a smaller fan clamped into the engine compartment that did not move enough air.

We used it the next day on our trip, placing it behind/aft of the windshield vent. Wow! It's loud but really moves some air.

What do you folks use in the cockpit to move air, and/or in the engine compartment when working there?
 
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I have a similar style and that is the only thing that works when I'm in the bilge. If you spend most of the day down there doing maintenance, with no airflow, it's almost unbearable.

I have an AC vent in the aft cabin, right on the other side of the wall. Sometimes I wish I could route it to the bilge instead!
 
I have this one. The whole middle rotates so you can get the airflow at the right angle (in my case down under the hatch)

upload_2022-7-6_11-43-46.png
 
mrsrobinson said:
I replaced both raw water impellers this weekend. Though the boat is in a covered slip I think I overheated/dehydrated Friday. I was getting dizzy/woozy and fought off hamstring cramps later that night. Saturday morning a dock mate lent my a fan like this, which made a huge difference in the engine compartment:

https://www.amazon.com/Lasko-X12905-Velocity-Ventilating-Exhausting/dp/B07WNYB65S/ref=sr_1_8?crid=1RDMHTOXLWDPT&keywords=move+air+fan&qid=1657121355&sprefix=move+air+fan,aps,76&sr=8-8

We used it the next day on our trip, placing it behind/aft of the windshield vent. Wow! It's loud but really moves some air.

What do you folks use in the cockpit to move air, and/or in the engine compartment when working there?
Click to expand...

Ryobi 18V Fans (edit: also runs on 120V). Best time to buy is Ryobi days at Home Depot around Fathers Day.

Fan, two 4Ah batteries & charger $99.

ryobi-jobsite-fans-psk006-pcl811b-64_145.jpg
 
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Since the 506 is a diesel powered boat I turn on the bilge blowers. Two High CFM units on each side of the ER. They really move the air around and although not silent, they are pretty quiet. I am also lucky that the access to the ER is through the salon so I crank down the AC temp and the cool air finds its way into the ER. Same for the 44DB. Dewalt makes a nice 20 Volt battery powered fan as well that is quite effective for personal cooling.
CD
 
Carpediem44DB said:
Since the 506 is a diesel powered boat I turn on the bilge blowers. Two High CFM units on each side of the ER. They really move the air around and although not silent, they are pretty quiet. I am also lucky that the access to the ER is through the salon so I crank down the AC temp and the cool air finds its way into the ER. Same for the 44DB. Dewalt makes a nice 20 Volt battery powered fan as well that is quite effective for personal cooling.
CD
Click to expand...
I did not think to turn on the bilge blowers, diesel here as well.

I wore a cotton shirt, which was dripping. I refused to change it since the next one would get soaked anyway - stupid.

The next day I wore one of those moisture wicking shirts, the ones I wear for tennis. Anecdotally I think it was cooler.
 
Unfortunately, the fan is likely the best you're going to do. Some of those listed above look pretty nice. I made one similar using an industrial blower fan for my shop. It moves some air. Too big for the boat though. When it gets super hot like it is now, getting soaked in sweat comes with the territory. This is one of the main reasons why I try to get most everything done in the spring time. This week in Texas it's 103+ all week long. Scorcher!
 
Phil S said:
I have this one. The whole middle rotates so you can get the airflow at the right angle (in my case down under the hatch)

View attachment 130011
Click to expand...
I have that same fan and on my 400 it fits right behind the captains chair where the lame ice bucket is. Should work on his 380 perfectly. It also adds as an extension cord with the outlets on the side. That thing moves some air. I got it at Home Depot. They also make a misting version you can connect to a water supply.
 
Brett H said:
Ryobi 18V Fans (edit: also runs on 120V). Best time to buy is Ryobi days at Home Depot around Fathers Day.

Fan, two 4Ah batteries & charger $99.

ryobi-jobsite-fans-psk006-pcl811b-64_145.jpg
Click to expand...
Got the same one for my ER - great fan - plus a permanent one fwd of the stbd engine.(Sea Ray installed).
 
Cocktail Time said:
I have that same fan and on my 400 it fits right behind the captains chair where the lame ice bucket is. Should work on his 380 perfectly. It also adds as an extension cord with the outlets on the side. That thing moves some air. I got it at Home Depot. They also make a misting version you can connect to a water supply.
Click to expand...
I went ahead and ordered this one, thank you for the feedback.
 
What do I use? Few weeks back I was doing normal maintenance chores in 95 deg. Did not feel good, left boat got home, spent half the night puking from heat exhaustion. Ready to call 911.
Fark that boat!! Fark a fan!
I ain’t dying for boat maintenance.
 
For our fire boat, we have one of those portable air conditioners we will set up on the deck and blow cold air into the engine room. We just discharge the hot air to the atmosphere and aim the cold air down to the open deck hatches.
 
Carpediem44DB said:
Since the 506 is a diesel powered boat I turn on the bilge blowers. Two High CFM units on each side of the ER. They really move the air around and although not silent, they are pretty quiet. I am also lucky that the access to the ER is through the salon so I crank down the AC temp and the cool air finds its way into the ER. Same for the 44DB. Dewalt makes a nice 20 Volt battery powered fan as well that is quite effective for personal cooling.
CD
Click to expand...

i have the Dewalt 20v fan as well for my cockpit. It obviously runs on a 20v battery so if not running the genny, it works and it’s super portable, while moving a ton of air. The nice thing about it is is if you have a small extension cord you can plug it into 120v wall socket if Im on shore power or running the genny.
 
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