A/C in a cuddy cabin

[PT G]

Has anyone installed something akin to air conditioning in a cuddy cabin model Grady-White. My wife has asthma and I need to install a reliable cooling system or sell the boat. We have had cruisers with A/C but we are both pushing 80 and I want something I can trailer, not be tied to a marina slip and winter storage.

 

[Fishtales]

Hopefully someone will chime in with the same boat. Can check the GW brochures and see if AC was offerred in your model and reverse engineer it. A portable one may be an option or it could be time to change boats.

 

[glacierbaze]

Don't let anyone talk you into an over-the-hatch model. A portable will work, but they take up a lot of room. You could have it on deck, and vent into the cabin, but you lose the benefit of dehumidification that way. Most efficient is cooling inside, exhausting to the outside.

 

[Beyond A Wake]

As mentioned see if GW has it as an option for that model. Most are AC powered and requires a separate water pump and thruhull water source.
The portable one I use in my garage would work (AC 110V) and it only requires a vent which could be a porthole. They do take up space though, and can hardly be stowed away when not in use.
I reckon a new bigger boat in the future................

 

[Hookup1]

I often have thought about air conditioner for my boat. All the home stuff doesn't work. I saw a roof top RV air conditioner that would look hokie and probably not hold up.

The best I saw were Wabatso and Domestic 6,000 btu units. I could probably get one installed in the space to the aft of the refrigerator under the sink. There is plenty of room just no access.

I don't have a generator and won't install an inverter. This would be an at-the-dock convenience.

Not familiar with your boat PT G. May not have room. In either case it would be a difficult install.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I imagine that your boat is the one in your profile picture and considering it's a two stroke motor, I am guessing that it's a late 1990's to early 2000's boat? Either way, per the brochure it says that the 248/258 Voyager/Journey didn't get air conditioning as an option until the year 2009. It also appears that the 232 Gulfstream had it introduced as an option that year as well. As others have said, you could probably figure out how to do almost anything within reason, but whether it's going to be cost effective and/or add to the value of the boat is another thing, or if it's just going to be an added expense that you don't recoup from. I'd honestly sell what you've got, upgrade to a newer boat with 4 stroke power and get one that also has air conditioning.

https://gradywhite.blob.core.windows.net/media/21314/2009.pdf

 

[Hookup1]

I imagine that your boat is the one in your profile picture and considering it's a two stroke motor, I am guessing that it's a late 1990's to early 2000's boat? Either way, per the brochure it says that the 248/258 Voyager/Journey didn't get air conditioning as an option until the year 2009. It also appears that the 232 Gulfstream had it introduced as an option that year as well. As others have said, you could probably figure out how to do almost anything within reason, but whether it's going to be cost effective and/or add to the value of the boat is another thing, or if it's just going to be an added expense that you don't recoup from. I'd honestly sell what you've got, upgrade to a newer boat with 4 stroke power and get one that also has air conditioning.

https://gradywhite.blob.core.windows.net/media/21314/2009.pdf

When something is broken on your car when do you fix it? Most people wait unit they sell it. Why not fix it earlier and enjoy it?

It's a 2007 268 Islander re-powered with 2006 F150 Yamahas. I'm investing in my boat for my use - not the future owner. Do I really care if my kids get the best ROI? NO! Do it for yourself and enjoy it.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

When something is broken on your car when do you fix it? Most people wait unit they sell it. Why not fix it earlier and enjoy it?

It's a 2007 268 Islander re-powered with 2006 F150 Yamahas. I'm investing in my boat for my use - not the future owner. Do I really care if my kids get the best ROI? NO! Do it for yourself and enjoy it.

Lol what in the world are you talking about? I was referring to the OP’s question as well as I was talking about his boat, nothing to do with you or your boat. I also have no idea as to what you’re referring to with your comment of fixing items on a car when we’re discussing whether the OP should add air conditioning to his boat or not. Lastly, per your signature it says your boat is a 1997 hull… when did it suddenly become a 2007? They didn’t even make the Islander model in 2007… the last year was 2005. The 268 Islander was also replaced by the 270 Islander in 2002, so…?

 

[Hookup1]

Has anyone installed something akin to air conditioning in a cuddy cabin model Grady-White. My wife has asthma and I need to install a reliable cooling system or sell the boat. We have had cruisers with A/C but we are both pushing 80 and I want something I can trailer, not be tied to a marina slip and winter storage.

How would your wife use the air conditioner? Stay in the cabin? Keep the enclosure up? Cool both cabin and enclosed helm?

What about a portable A/C unit from Home Depot? Could be mounted in cabin on v-berth or by sink. Removable. Just need to find a way to get vent hose to outside.
14"x14"x28" 53 lbs. $325. Only requires 120VAC power - no water cooling.

Whynter 7,000 BTU (10,000 BTU ASHRAE)Portable Air Conditioner Cools 300 Sq. Ft. with Dehumidifier, Remote, and Filter in White ARC-102CS - The Home Depot

Perfect for small home offices and children's bedrooms, this compact Whynter portable air conditioner is a great way to stay cool at lower cost to your wallet or the environment. Its freestanding design

www.homedepot.com

 

[drbatts]

One of my fishing buddy's uses a portable A/C on his tiara. It's just for at the dock use. He loves it and says it works great. I'm not sure which brand/unit he bought.

 

[family affair]

The Voyager doesn't have the biggest cabin. Most portable household AC units are large and heavy. I've wondered how well one of these would work and if they are reliable. Available to run on or off a battery:

ZERO BREEZE Mark 2 AC

ZERO BREEZE Mark 2 Battery Portable Air Conditioner, Just press the button and enjoy the cool air anywhere. Get yours at the ZERO BREEZE Online Store now!

zerobreeze.com

 

[Peter A]

There are small portable units made for camping and overlanding, DC or AC power. Like this. But I would only use that at the dock. https://www.bougerv.com/products/2899btu-portable-air-conditioner

That said there are some relatively smalll Marine AC systems and a good boatyard could figure it out.

If your boat runs well, and this is what it takes to enjoy it, I’d do it. Nearing your 80’s, hopefully this will give you many years of boating pleasure.

 

[wahoo33417]

Couple of thoughts since we went from a Journey (same cabin as Voyager) to a Sailfish, both with AC we rigged on the 258 then installed on the 282.

The 248/258 has fairly long berths, longer than the Sailfish. My wife and I are both pretty short. We could place one of the cheapo 5,000 BTU units mentioned above at the foot of one of the bunks. We found something similar to the shape of our window (a car air intake?) and duct-taped the exhaust up to it.

For power, we put a 110v inlet just below the helm that has a pigtail that resides in the webbed storage bin inside the cabin when not in use. We had to carry a 100', heavy gauge extension cord to make sure we could get 110 power in a marina.

That setup worked well enough but that little AC sure feels much more in the way in the cabin of a 248/258.

A better and much more expensive option is to install something like a real marine grade 6500 btu AC. I used a Mermaid brand in my Sailfish and so far I'm very happy with them.

But - where to put it? It might fit under a berth. Or, as suggested, maybe under the sink, but I think that will be tight. Or, if your boat doesn't have the second fuel tank forward, you may be able to fit it in that space. That may work well for a good intake vent from the cabin as well as for placing a thru-hull. You'll also need either a shower type sump pump to pump out the condensate or a place for it to drain to a bilge pump. Perhaps you can run a sump pump to your sink's overboard drain.

In any event, your boat will need to add shore power for the installed marine AC, another expense, if you don't already have it.


Tx, Rob

 

[cessna210g]

They have a 12v AC units.

Mabrustore.com

With 12v you can have AC while underway.

 

[greauxpete]

I played around with this setup.
I wonder if the exhaust could be routed into the round hatch at the bottomof the stairs, there is another hatch that could be opened at the fresh water tank to allow the hot air to exit. Either that or through the splash wall in the bathroom at the helm?

 

[seasick]

Just to get the parameters correct; Are you asking about AC in the cabin only and not the helm? Do you want to run the AC at the dock or while motoring or both?
What model is the boat (Voyager 258?)

 

[PT G]

First of all let me thank everyone for their input. I have a 2000 248 Voyager with a 250Yamaha OX66, it runs fine and is reliable for our needs to date.I accept the reality I am one outing away from a repower but I have a fantastic mechanic who tends to this engine twice a year. If anyone in the Hudson Valley needs an outboard mechanic look up Captain Dan in Kingston, NY. I digress, relative to my original request I am in the process of assembling the Zero Breeze Mark 2 portable unit. With the battery they advertise 5 hours of cooling; they say it is good for a 7 X 7 area so I am hoping it will cool the cuddy enough for my wife to sit and enjoy being at anchor or tied up at a slip. Between asthma, arthritis and sciatica boating is looking like a "past activity" for this couple. I will post again before the month is out on how it has come together. Let me just repeat how much I appreciate the input from all of my fellow Grady-White owners. I owned Formula boats for 18 years and a couple of the Formula forums were great information sources as well as platforms for factory visits. Posting a question here has wrought the same sense of pride of ownership and willingness to share boating knowledge.

 

[Peter A]

First of all let me thank everyone for their input. I have a 2000 248 Voyager with a 250Yamaha OX66, it runs fine and is reliable for our needs to date.I accept the reality I am one outing away from a repower but I have a fantastic mechanic who tends to this engine twice a year. If anyone in the Hudson Valley needs an outboard mechanic look up Captain Dan in Kingston, NY. I digress, relative to my original request I am in the process of assembling the Zero Breeze Mark 2 portable unit. With the battery they advertise 5 hours of cooling; they say it is good for a 7 X 7 area so I am hoping it will cool the cuddy enough for my wife to sit and enjoy being at anchor or tied up at a slip. Between asthma, arthritis and sciatica boating is looking like a "past activity" for this couple. I will post again before the month is out on how it has come together. Let me just repeat how much I appreciate the input from all of my fellow Grady-White owners. I owned Formula boats for 18 years and a couple of the Formula forums were great information sources as well as platforms for factory visits. Posting a question here has wrought the same sense of pride of ownership and willingness to share boating knowledge.

Good luck with the zero breeze. Hopefully this gives you more time on the water with your wife. Keep trying! Yup hot and sticky in the Hudson Valley summer.

I just bought a small BougeRV unit for using in the slip with an extension cord to shore power outlet when I “camp” overnight on my 208.

 

[austin]

Looking to put windows in front of cuddy... any good suggestions??

 

[greauxpete]

Going to try a different route, found this compact AC unit. It's about 2500 BTU/hr and weighs under 30 lbs. It is powered using 110 Volt shore power or using a generator (or possibly an inverter 12 Volt to 110 VAC). Might even try a Jackery type power station. Going to try it in the driveway at night first, since this is the only time I plan to use it. Cost was about $150 shipped.