Hello all,
Does anyone have the CruisAir carry-on unit? Did you like it? How well does it work? Has anyone put it on the CD 30?--if so how does it fit (if at all) on the main cabin hatch? Does the spray hood present a problem?
Thanks in advance
Chris
CD 30 C "Hesperus"
cccobx@prodigy.net
air conditioning/Cruisair carry-on
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Chris Schnell
Re: air conditioning/Cruisair carry-on
Chris,
I'm currently looking for a good used one (contact me if anyone has one for sale) to use in main cabin hatch and anticipate no problems. In lieu of an installed system it truly appears the most viable alternative. Good Luck.
Chris Schnell
s/v MADNESS III CD30 #235
Southport, NC
swabbie@compaq.net
I'm currently looking for a good used one (contact me if anyone has one for sale) to use in main cabin hatch and anticipate no problems. In lieu of an installed system it truly appears the most viable alternative. Good Luck.
Chris Schnell
s/v MADNESS III CD30 #235
Southport, NC
swabbie@compaq.net
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dave low
Re: air conditioning/Cruisair carry-on
Chris:
I just bought a 5000 btuh CruiseAir for Second Wind (CD30 #166) I have only used it a few times and it has not been that hot yet this summer. So far it has worked okay.
A few observations:
I placed in in the aft hatch - from that location, the shape of the cabin top makes placing it sideways in the boat necessary. It fits ok that way and it can be levelled. The canvas "boot" is not a problem. It doesnt seal things air tight but then again it does not need to.
I found out one thing that surprised me... Even when the thermostat is on high, the compressor unit cycles on and off prior to reaching a cool temperature. I didnt time it but lying awake one night listening to the compressor cycle (a occupational hazard of being an engineer) it seemed to operate only about 20% of the time. I thought the unit may be faulty but spoke with a Marina Mate with the same AC unit (on a Ranger 30). He indicated that was normal. He went on to say that the units dont cool so much as they dehumidify.
A used one was for sale in Deltaville, VA. (5 weeks ago) dont know if it is still available. They wanted $575 for a two year old unit. I think one could negociate lower. I paid about $800 for a new one that included shipping.
Dave
davidlow@erols.com
I just bought a 5000 btuh CruiseAir for Second Wind (CD30 #166) I have only used it a few times and it has not been that hot yet this summer. So far it has worked okay.
A few observations:
I placed in in the aft hatch - from that location, the shape of the cabin top makes placing it sideways in the boat necessary. It fits ok that way and it can be levelled. The canvas "boot" is not a problem. It doesnt seal things air tight but then again it does not need to.
I found out one thing that surprised me... Even when the thermostat is on high, the compressor unit cycles on and off prior to reaching a cool temperature. I didnt time it but lying awake one night listening to the compressor cycle (a occupational hazard of being an engineer) it seemed to operate only about 20% of the time. I thought the unit may be faulty but spoke with a Marina Mate with the same AC unit (on a Ranger 30). He indicated that was normal. He went on to say that the units dont cool so much as they dehumidify.
A used one was for sale in Deltaville, VA. (5 weeks ago) dont know if it is still available. They wanted $575 for a two year old unit. I think one could negociate lower. I paid about $800 for a new one that included shipping.
Dave
davidlow@erols.com
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zeida
Re: air conditioning/Cruisair carry-on
Hello, Chris...
Bandolera II, a 1982 CD-33 has a Cruisair CarryOn unit. The thing, although bulky and ugly (at least to me) works perfectly. It keeps my 33, in Miami, Florida, ( sometimes in 90 degrees and over) very nice and cool, and I have an old unit. Last year, the blower motor finally gave up its soul. It was easily replaced, also not so expensive, and the unit is worse than the Everready bunny... it just keeps going and going... I have toyed many times in my mind to replace it with an internal Mermaid unit, but then again, I can't decide to get rid of it, since it is so reliable. Also very simple. When I don't want to carry it, I just take it off and store it in the trunk of my car for the day or the week... then, when I get back to the dock, I put it back on and voila! My boat has no odor, no moisture, everything inside stays nice and cool. Of course, I can only use it at the marina, with dock power... but that's really when I need it. The sleeve "spray hood" that goes over it works perfectly too. I do use a small plastic tarp over the entire thing, to make sure and keep the rain out, because the middle hatch has to remain open. The unit fits perfectly on the middle hatch. I have never had any trouble yet, and do not anticipate any. When I think of all the installation aggravations of an internal unit, I go topsides and pat the Cruisair on the back. At night, when I sleep in the boat, (at the marina) even in the hottest summer night, that unit gets the boat so cold I need a comforter. You will find it more than cools your 30 footer. If you can live with the rather homely appearance of the unit, go for it.
BTW, saw your page, and you do have a lovely looking 30. My first boat, too, was a CD-25!!! Not the diesel, the regular, which I kept for 18 years until I moved up to the 33 three years ago. I love this new "old" boat. I'll send you a picture of my A/C unit tomorrow.
Regards,
Zeida
zcecil@attglobal.net
Bandolera II, a 1982 CD-33 has a Cruisair CarryOn unit. The thing, although bulky and ugly (at least to me) works perfectly. It keeps my 33, in Miami, Florida, ( sometimes in 90 degrees and over) very nice and cool, and I have an old unit. Last year, the blower motor finally gave up its soul. It was easily replaced, also not so expensive, and the unit is worse than the Everready bunny... it just keeps going and going... I have toyed many times in my mind to replace it with an internal Mermaid unit, but then again, I can't decide to get rid of it, since it is so reliable. Also very simple. When I don't want to carry it, I just take it off and store it in the trunk of my car for the day or the week... then, when I get back to the dock, I put it back on and voila! My boat has no odor, no moisture, everything inside stays nice and cool. Of course, I can only use it at the marina, with dock power... but that's really when I need it. The sleeve "spray hood" that goes over it works perfectly too. I do use a small plastic tarp over the entire thing, to make sure and keep the rain out, because the middle hatch has to remain open. The unit fits perfectly on the middle hatch. I have never had any trouble yet, and do not anticipate any. When I think of all the installation aggravations of an internal unit, I go topsides and pat the Cruisair on the back. At night, when I sleep in the boat, (at the marina) even in the hottest summer night, that unit gets the boat so cold I need a comforter. You will find it more than cools your 30 footer. If you can live with the rather homely appearance of the unit, go for it.
BTW, saw your page, and you do have a lovely looking 30. My first boat, too, was a CD-25!!! Not the diesel, the regular, which I kept for 18 years until I moved up to the 33 three years ago. I love this new "old" boat. I'll send you a picture of my A/C unit tomorrow.
Regards,
Zeida
zcecil@attglobal.net
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Bill Michne
Re: air conditioning/Cruisair carry-on
Chris:Chris Cram wrote: Hello all,
Does anyone have the CruisAir carry-on unit? Did you like it? How well does it work? Has anyone put it on the CD 30?--if so how does it fit (if at all) on the main cabin hatch? Does the spray hood present a problem?
Thanks in advance
Chris
CD 30 C "Hesperus"
I have an older model but don't know what year. It cooled Mintaka (CD 40) in 90+ Chesapeake Bay weather all last summer, although some days it took awhile. For that reason I installed a 16,000 btu Mermaid. Setting up and taking down a CruiseAir is not difficult but gets stale. On the other hand a Mermaid sized for your boat will suck valuable storage space. Your call.
Bill Michne
Mintaka
CD 40 #7
wmichne@msn.com
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mike
Re: air conditioning/Cruisair carry-on
I once had a CD30 and wouldn't have done to it what I did with our Pearson Triton (28.5' and same designer and design) two years ago. I cut a rectangular hole in the bridge deck and inserted a regular 5400 btu window unit. Works great. The hold is in the facing edge and the deck is not cut over it nor the sole under it. The unit looks built in when viewed from inside the boat. From outside, it is noticeable, of course, but only protrudes into the cockpit sole area 10 inches. The condensate runs, naturally, out the cockpit drains. I'd do it again. If I still had the CD, I'd do the same since I see how well it works. Instead, we had a window AC for the CD but put it in the companion way and either climbed over it or removed it when we went sailing. A hassle, but similar to the cruisair in that it requires removing to go sailing.
Our window unit cost $169. (This summer, I see them often on sale for $129.) I bought an extended warranty (something I never ever do on other products) since I run it 24/7 all year. We're only on the boat weekends but running it 24/7 means mildew/mold and such can never happen inside the boat. During cooler months (we live in Louisiana) we also run it since it's good to keep the air cirulating via the fan even when the compressor never has to switch on.
I also had a Westsail 32 on which I installed a 16,000 btu marine air. Didn't like it at all. Noisey. And roughly ten times the cost of the window unit. And far more of a hassle to repair.
An alternative is the "suitcase" models I've seen advertised either in West Marine or Defender. Also there are some models made by one or more name manufactuerers that exhaust heat out a porthole and condensate in a pan--which could be set up to go int oteh bilge.
Mike
innisfree@att.net
Our window unit cost $169. (This summer, I see them often on sale for $129.) I bought an extended warranty (something I never ever do on other products) since I run it 24/7 all year. We're only on the boat weekends but running it 24/7 means mildew/mold and such can never happen inside the boat. During cooler months (we live in Louisiana) we also run it since it's good to keep the air cirulating via the fan even when the compressor never has to switch on.
I also had a Westsail 32 on which I installed a 16,000 btu marine air. Didn't like it at all. Noisey. And roughly ten times the cost of the window unit. And far more of a hassle to repair.
An alternative is the "suitcase" models I've seen advertised either in West Marine or Defender. Also there are some models made by one or more name manufactuerers that exhaust heat out a porthole and condensate in a pan--which could be set up to go int oteh bilge.
Mike
Chris Cram wrote: Does anyone have the CruisAir carry-on unit? Did you like it? How well does it work? Has anyone put it on the CD 30?--if so how does it fit (if at all) on the main cabin hatch? Does the spray hood present a problem?
Thanks in advance
Chris
CD 30 C "Hesperus"
innisfree@att.net