Portable Air Conditioner

L

Loose Cannon

Member
Apr 2, 2010
164
Havre de Grace, MD
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Does anyone have experience using a portable air conditioner similar to this:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...01&storeId=11151&partNumber=3731973&langId=-1

This seems too good to be true. I have a SD 240 without a generator; looking for A/C comfort when I am in the slip at my marina. This unit is around 1,000, weights 70 lbs and quickly hooks to the hatch when you need it. I like the fact that it also sucks out the hot air while it blows cool air in.

Any insights or experiences with these types of units would be appreciated.
 
What is your question?

Do they work? Yes, they work.

We had a 240 Sundancer without air conditioning. We used it a lot.

I went down a similar path. Those summer nights are hot and it makes sleeping uncomfortable. Of course if we got one of these things we would spend more nights on the boat.

If we spent more nights on the boat it sure would be nice to also have (insert your wish here.)

Ultimately we decided that we should get a larger boat with more room and comfort features.

By the way, people move up on boat size all the time. If you would consider used keep an eye out for a used one of these units.
 
Yes it works. Used it on our old 280. It came with the sale of the boat. It did not cool the cabin during the day, but was fine for overnight.

Two things find a nice way to route the cable to the outlet, ours had an male plug that you used an extension cord with. On ours the cool air condensed on the aluminum frame of the vent causing condensation to drip down onto the sheets while sleeping. Some time on those humid nights it dripped quite a bit...

We eventually installed a Mermaid AC system for around $2800.00 and that thing worked like a champ, you could hang meat in the cabin in the middle of summer... I think I oversized it a bit...
 
I dont know Algeria, some people might like that set-up...:grin:
 

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Got my Cruisair from "boaterboy" on this site. He was local and had it in the classifieds, price was even better!!!

It is a 5000 BTU unit and keeps my cabin like a meat locker. Even during the day, if it is 90+ and humid, I can get the cabin to maintain 72* with no problem.
 
Mark:

I would agree if he were in CT. It gets a tad warmer down here. The biggest complaint about 5K units down here in the 24 foot SR/Maxum/Regal was it never got it "cool enough".

My 2 Centavos.
 
I have a aqua-cal kruising cool portable unit 7000 btu, for my 300 weekender. It comes in a samsonite luggage and has 2 hoses which go into the water. 1 has the pump the other has the return drain. when i use it i put it on the galley counter and run the hoses thru side window. it works great, bought from a friend for 300$ 2yrs ago no problems, it only gets used about 8 to 10 times a year. brand new they are 1000$
 
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Those units do work well, but after 2 or 3 times putting it in and out, plus storing it, you will wish you spent a few dollars extra. I am a Mermaid distributor, you should be able to buy a complete kit for about 2K. I would be happy to assist or check your area for a distibutor.
 
bahamabreisus said:
Those units do work well, but after 2 or 3 times putting it in and out, plus storing it, you will wish you spent a few dollars extra. I am a Mermaid distributor, you should be able to buy a complete kit for about 2K. I would be happy to assist or check your area for a distibutor.
Click to expand...


2K installed?
 
another option that wasn't mentioned.....GE has a wheeled stand alone system...about 3 feet tall with a 16 in foot print.....also extracts the hot air.....condensate to internal resevoir or external...costs about 350.00 at Sam's club....imagine they can be found elsewhere too....I use it to suplement the AC in the cockpit
 
If you like your cabin COLD ??. Then get one they are awesome !!.
I can get it so cold in the cabin that my teeth will start to chatter. :thumbsup:
3731973.jpg
 
I've got one like Wayne has posted, I don't know the exact numbers on mine but I do know this... Even on the hottest of Alabama nights, that thing gets the cabin so cold that I sleep in a hoohed sweatshirt while my wife thinks she has died & gone to heaven!
 
I bought a used 3 year old unit 2 months ago for $325. Works great, looking forward to a much more pleasant summer on the water!

PS: got it on craigslist
Good Luck
 
I wanted to thank everyone for their replies; this has been very helpful. For those who recommended a self-contained Mermaid unit, my concern is the installation cost which I figure could be $1000 or higher, bringing the total cost to over 3k. Need to take it out of the water for the install, etc. I will also lose storage space as I imagine the unit will be installed in the compartment under the cockpit sink. That said, I agree the Mermaid would be more convenient and it would be closer to a factoy type configuration.

The portable unit can be stored in my dock box and connected to the hatch when I need it. For $1000, it's not perfect, but it sounds like a few of you are happy with the cooling it provides. I'll be sure to provide some updates with my experiences with the unit once I make a decision.
 
I just bought a 410DA, and I wonder if there is anything I can do to vent the cockpit while I am gone, and or cool it when I am there. It just gets so hot down there. My old boat did too, but I anticipate spending a lot more time on the boat this year. Has anyone retrofit any air conditioning into a canvas cockpit.
 
I have one forsale that i would get rid of for 400.00. It works great and we just bought a new boat with AC and Gen in it. It comes with the cover. I live in GA and it is hot down here. It works great.

Give me a call and maybe we can work a deal.
Mark 678-571-0566
 
 
dyerdan said:
I just bought a 410DA, and I wonder if there is anything I can do to vent the cockpit while I am gone, and or cool it when I am there. It just gets so hot down there. My old boat did too, but I anticipate spending a lot more time on the boat this year. Has anyone retrofit any air conditioning into a canvas cockpit.
Click to expand...

Ask and you shall receive.

http://www.tropicalmarineairconditioning.com/sheets/L-2424A.pdf

I have no affiliation with Dometic but am a huge fan of the product and customer service. I honestly do not know if this unit would suffice for a boat your size. You could call their corporate office in Richmond, VA. They will be very straight with you.

HTH
 
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