I posted this at Macgregor Owners forum and got responses that have no comment on this plan described below. Possibly your opinion will help...
I have a Mac 25, 1984... The hatch A/C is costly and needs to be removed to sail. The use of a self contained portable unit that needs an outside vent won't fit in the area where the galley was stored. The A/C in a suitcase is not available anymore. The ice chest evaporative cooler seems to be a good idea but I really wonder on it's ability to cool down the cabin. Placing an A/C unit in the companion way is a problem too with the entry and a big first step along with the unit sticking out into the cockpit. Placing it in between the pop top and hull has been suggested but it leaks. The water cooled systems available are worth more that the boat and require plumbing and thru hull hardware.... I read that someone broke apart the window unit and placed components in different places. That sounds like an engineering problem.
Here is my plan. The area in front of the cockpit hatch and just to the left of the keel winch, port side is where I want to place a small window A/C unit. I plan to use straps to secure it in place just behind the table seating area or wood blocks around the base with a strap over top.
I thought about mounting a window shade that will fit around the A/C unit and block the space between the A/C and the winch bulkhead. On the starboard side I'll use the same set up to help block the hot air from spilling back into the cabin. I can crack open the cockpit seat hatch to allow the hot air to exit from the area under the cockpit. I can always add a small exhaust fan there if needed too. I'll run the condensate into the bilge which is nearby.
I understand I can place the unit on the starboard side but I need that space for storage anyway.
So, am I a "MADMAN" in my quest for comfortable nights when in port? What is your thought on this Rube Goldberg set up. Do ya think I'll be melting the fiberglass? Setting the life preservers on fire? Possibly a better system for sealing off the hot air collection space? Should I just forget about it and sweat all night ?
The area under the cockpit is really only for storage on my model... They did open it up in later models as "usable space" I would like to make it usable to collect and discharge "hot air."
What do you think?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
ABK
I have a Mac 25, 1984... The hatch A/C is costly and needs to be removed to sail. The use of a self contained portable unit that needs an outside vent won't fit in the area where the galley was stored. The A/C in a suitcase is not available anymore. The ice chest evaporative cooler seems to be a good idea but I really wonder on it's ability to cool down the cabin. Placing an A/C unit in the companion way is a problem too with the entry and a big first step along with the unit sticking out into the cockpit. Placing it in between the pop top and hull has been suggested but it leaks. The water cooled systems available are worth more that the boat and require plumbing and thru hull hardware.... I read that someone broke apart the window unit and placed components in different places. That sounds like an engineering problem.
Here is my plan. The area in front of the cockpit hatch and just to the left of the keel winch, port side is where I want to place a small window A/C unit. I plan to use straps to secure it in place just behind the table seating area or wood blocks around the base with a strap over top.
I thought about mounting a window shade that will fit around the A/C unit and block the space between the A/C and the winch bulkhead. On the starboard side I'll use the same set up to help block the hot air from spilling back into the cabin. I can crack open the cockpit seat hatch to allow the hot air to exit from the area under the cockpit. I can always add a small exhaust fan there if needed too. I'll run the condensate into the bilge which is nearby.
I understand I can place the unit on the starboard side but I need that space for storage anyway.
So, am I a "MADMAN" in my quest for comfortable nights when in port? What is your thought on this Rube Goldberg set up. Do ya think I'll be melting the fiberglass? Setting the life preservers on fire? Possibly a better system for sealing off the hot air collection space? Should I just forget about it and sweat all night ?
The area under the cockpit is really only for storage on my model... They did open it up in later models as "usable space" I would like to make it usable to collect and discharge "hot air."
What do you think?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
ABK