Carry on Cruise-air

[Neicy]

Was wondering if anyone has any experience with this air-conditioner.
I am looking at a newer model (7700 btu) approx 1 yr old. I have a 31 ft.
Thanks

[cardiacpaul]

it depends...

what climate are you in, do you have a lot of window ports? is your hull a light color?

if you're in mild climate (under 90F) I think you'll be ok.

a 6500 BTU barely cuts it on a 27 ft Catalina in Texas

[davideureka]

my 6500 btu barley cuts it in ok 25 ft oday

[Neicy]

S.Carolina so about the same as Texas, the hull is off-white and not near enough port windows, they do not open but are heavily tinted. Thanks!

[SailinJay]

I would also throw in the humidity factor. Here on the Chesapeake, we get days in the upper 70s with humidity to match that can be unbearable. And we get the same humidity most of the time when the temps are in the 80s and 90s.

[Neicy]

So does that mean if you want to stay on the boat on weekend nites you need to do central? I seems that will be several thousand. I can get an open box new carry on cruise air for $700, or a second hand 1 yr old for $500. But if the thing doesn't really do the job then the money could go towards a central one. Does anyone out there actually have one?

[Cruisingdad]

Neciy,

I do not have one, but you may get away with it if you build a cover over the cabin top to keep the sun from directly hitting it. on the hottest days with our kiddos, we would periodically spray the cabin top with water.

I will say the central units work well, but the cost is considerably higher, plus install. If you want to discuss it, let me know.

- CD

[cardiacpaul]

it may be redneck, but a pawn shop window unit in the companionway works a heck of a lot better

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by cardiacpaul

it may be redneck, but a pawn shop window unit in the companionway works a heck of a lot better

I'm a charter member of the RNYC (Redneck Yacht Club) and totally agree. I have a brand new window unit that was around $100 from Lowes. It fits in my companionway with a home made companionway board (another $8 at Lowes) cut to fit and will keep the boat (32') tolerable on the previously mentioned sultry days on the Chesapeake.

I'd recommend building something to adapt a window unit to your boat before I'd spend several hundred dollars on the rather bulky Cruiseaire units.

[camaraderie]

The main problem with the portables and companionway units is that they inhibit you from going sailing.
You can do it yerself on a real marine air conditioner for between 1800 and 2500 bucks depending on the size of the boat.