Anyone know approximate CU FT?

[RussGW270]

Okay, do not mind the mess... my son wanted to go "camping in the boat" on Saturday evening for his birthday, so we "camped" heh. This week is "cleaning up the campsite"...lol

So, I have narrowed down to the 6000 btu unit because, frankly.. the size is small as heck and it almost doubles when it goes up. I assume the 115 version as it does not appear to do a heck of a lot more than cut down on starting amps... and since that is under 8amps and I plan to add an soft start device... that also should not be a huge issue.

The MarineAire seems to have good reviews and is smaller compared to the Dometic/Marine Air unit of the same BTU.

There are a lot of considerations, such as an 8"x10" return duct and at least 1 3"x4" vent... then it looks to need a minimum of 150gph with a filter that can be easily accessed. I could locate those in the 2nd step where I access the two valves down there. Whether or not I want to tie it into one of those two systems, not sure....I mean, eh... not likely to ever use this when not at the dock....thus, if I wanted to tie it into something I would only use when underway is a possibility, and a lot easier than cutting a new thru-hull opening.... we will see. I still have yet to even attempt to operate the head lol.. which reminds me...may need/want to take it by an RV place and flush that out, just in case someone else did not

Anyway, rambling. Today is clean. I expect to order "something" by February....so it will be ready to go by March.

I also am not opposed to seeing if it will fit in the overhead of the bathroom (no idea if it will, just had an idea since it rarely gets open) or under the sink, albeit I think that might be an issue if a leak is sprung, but then again... that could happen anywhere...heh

Thanks!

R

 

[DennisG01]

What mess? Spending time with the kid trumps a mess any day of the week!

I wonder if Grady foregoes the electrostatic-type filter in front of the coils and just relies on the return grate and only uses a filter there as opposed to both places?

I tell 'ya, if it was me, I'd be thinking real hard about making it work under that v-berth. Yeah, you'd lose some storage - but it would make the install and maintenance much easier!

 

[glacierbaze]

On my Seafarer, there is a good sized area under the walkaround, and to the left of the helm passenger's feet. Your cabin is larger than mine, but if I were putting AC on my boat for a limited number of nights per year, I would put a small portable there, and duct it right through the bulkhead above the galley. That eliminates cabin noise, plumbing, pumps, through hulls, duct work, returns, noise and vibration under the vee berth while trying to sleep.
The only labor is getting the cold air a foot or two from the unit to the bulkhead. It cost a few hundred dollars, is off the boat 9 months of the year, and is easily replaceable. If you don't love it, all that is left is a 6-8 inch hole in the bulkhead, which a pie plate will take care of.

 

[DennisG01]

I forgot to mention... if I was going to look at a portable unit, I'd be looking for a Cruisair Carry-On unit. It lays on the foredeck and fits into the deck hatch. They work fantastic. They're no longer made, so you'd have to look for a used one - but I see them pop up on Craigslist and Ebay once in a while - typically under $300. Yes, you'd still have to lug it around, but if you did store it on the boat, they usually slide underneath the v-berth's center cushion - at least the ones I've personally seen on friend's boats, anyways.

 

[glacierbaze]

The problem with Cruisairs is that you have to lug it up on the bow every evening, and down in the morning, if the boat is underway, and have a place to store it. Easier on a walkaround than on an express. I used on once about 20 years ago, when I was in my 50's, never again.
My advice then, and still, is that if you are considering one, find a store selling them, and ask to carry it around the store for a few minutes. Maybe up and down a ladder or two. I guess that won't work if they no longer sell them.
I use a small deLonghi to cool down my garage, it would run you out of a boat that size.

 

[RussGW270]

You know, @glacierbaze you bring up a really good point. I hate the captain seat on the port side helm. I really want the companion seat and THAT would allow me to have the space to put the a/c right there. I wonder if that would work better. I think the vent alone would be better and, easy access.

I do not have a companion seat, so not sure how it looks in real life, but I am betting that would be THE place to go if I could swing it.

R

 

[RussGW270]

The problem with Cruisairs is that you have to lug it up on the bow every evening, and down in the morning, if the boat is underway, and have a place to store it. Easier on a walkaround than on an express. I used on once about 20 years ago, when I was in my 50's, never again.
My advice then, and still, is that if you are considering one, find a store selling them, and ask to carry it around the store for a few minutes. Maybe up and down a ladder or two. I guess that won't work if they no longer sell them.
I use a small deLonghi to cool down my garage, it would run you out of a boat that size.

I agree.. I already have a portable.. had 2. Tired of lifting them in and out of the boat all the time. The one I had originally was nice, had a front outlet, but it blocked the hatch going outside. The one I have now, is a top vent and blocks everything in the cabin. I want to stick with one that is installed and out of the way... would rather pay 5 times the cost to know it is there and does not have to be offloaded when not in use, or block everything. I am crazy ... I like a clear deck

R

 

[DennisG01]

I want to stick with one that is installed and out of the way... would rather pay 5 times the cost to know it is there and does not have to be offloaded when not in use, or block everything. I am crazy ... I like a clear deck

Yup - I don't disagree at all. I only mentioned the Cruisair (just throwing out viable options) because it would be close to free (in boat dollars, anyways!) and it doesn't block any cabin space or deck space. It's also a "marine" unit so it would/should last a lot longer than something from HD or Lowes.

 

[RussGW270]

@DennisG01 - sorry for the late post, kept getting busy. So, I have not taken out the fridge, may do that tomorrow, to look at what the space looks like back there, however.. a couple questions come to mind when looking over the cabin:

1 - How many people use the microwave?
2 - Can the microwave me used while underway? If not, does it make it less 'valuable' than the fridge?
3 - What is the 'value' of the microwave vs a stove or the drawer above the stove?

That being said.. I was thinking.. behind the microwave, but under the sink. Can add an access door / return vent there.....one possibility.

I do not have a stove, but could ditch the microwave and add a stove, or ditch the drawer... or keep it all and add it below the sink, maybe. Tons of options.

The MarineAire at $1,259 plus the kit to put it all together at about the same price, unless you do not need a whole new thru-hull/pump... then not more than a few hundred dollars. The unit is 17.5" long 10" tall, 11" deep.

Adding photos, will add more after I pull the fridge and take pictures with measurements.

Just adding this all as I go and get time as I research so others, maybe thinking of the same, can have a place with this info.

Russ

 

[RussGW270]

Oh, here is an option as well.. but would mean I lose the storage in the steps. On THT, Oncslr showed how he set it up:

 

[DennisG01]

Russ, the microwave is an AC-only appliance.

Regarding the microwave and stove usage... I can only tell you how I personally used those on my Sundancer. For the most part, I didn't. Never used the microwave. VERY seldomly used the stove - and that was usually just to heat up the cabin a bit! Even with the full galley in the cabin, I still primarily used the Magma grill up top in the cockpit. I really didn't want to be cleaning the galley from grease spit and whatnot.

 

[RussGW270]

Dennis, that was my thinking. When I am on the boat, it is to fish....not to nuke food lol.
I am going to look behind the fridge. From what Ocnslr looked like, the fridge was pulled to access the space behind the sink. Then the unit was placed back there, but with a small access point to the left of the fridge...then they ran the vent to the top step and the return to the bottom step.

They probably tied into the livewell.

I think the vent would be too close in the steps so I would add the vent differently if it fits, but that might work and I only give up the top step storage.

Will let you know what I find.

 

[RussGW270]

hey @DennisG01 check this out.

The MarineAire 6000 btu unit is 17.5" long, 11" deep, 10" tall.

I pulled the frig out and looked inside and (see pics below).. I "COULD go the fridge route.. let's call that route #2.

Route 1 - ditch the microwave. I never had one before... and I have my grill so.. lol.. no need for it..imo.. and since I do not have a stove.. I could get a small single burner for the counter top if I really had to, and store it in somewhere.. so.. remove that slide out tray.

Then, put the A/C where the microwave is. That would leave about 2" of clearance and I could make a door/return vent right there... or.. I could make a return vent down below the sink. Only needs to be 8x10, and then I could cover the microwave "hole" with a door big enough to get the a/c in or out when/if needed.

Then run the vent to the side of the electrical breaker panel. Only needs a 2x4 or 3x4 and I have like 4x10" available, so... could fit there. I could make another door for that area and install the control box and wire it right to the panel there. I would add a 1/4 epoxy'd plywood between the vent and the breaker panel or get a plastic cover for it, just to be safe heh.. but the duct is not solid so should not sweat.

I then run the drain to the bilge and either have someone install a complete thru-hull or tie into the livewell or beef up the raw water washdown, since I would not be using the a/c underway, if could supply both at 300-500gph, and tie into it's discharge also....just have a cut-off for each when using either.

Route #2 - do like Ocnslr did on his Islander, cut out the 1st step storage and run the vent to that and the return to the one below it. He then placed it behind the fridge, a lot of room back there, just have to move a couple hoses out of the way. Would need to build an access door under the sink, and a base to set it on.

R