Air conditioning options for CD 22 or Venture 23

[Swee Pea]

A photo of Swee Pea appears in my photo Album, 7th page. I can not for some reason upload a photo to this message and can't figure out why.

John
Swee Pea

[thataway]

It is possible that the "Zero Breeze Mach 2" would keep the V berth area cool, if you put insulation around all sides, top and had it petitioned off from the rest of the boat. No way would it cool the Cabin of a C Dory 22 to a comfortable level. It appears more to be the type which blows in your face, or you stuff under your insulated jacket to keep the torso cool...

[Z50]

https://mabrupowersystems.com/
SC4.2 looks really good

[colbysmith]

Resurrecting this thread, as we plan on spending some time in Phoenix in August, the hottest month of the year there. While our current plans are for a hotel, we are also looking at the cheaper option of a campground for the week we are there, staying in C-Traveler. The only way we'll do that is if we have air conditioning. I've been perusing some of the threads discussing AC, and stopped at this one. Would really like to see some more photos of how folks have managed their setups with a small window unit in the front window of a 25. And brand and model numbers of units that fit. Colby

[txmntman]

this is on my CD22, and has worked out well for me
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=29858
Pics are in my album.
This is a more permanent solution, without cutting a hole in your roof. Once you have it created, you can convert it back in probably an hour or two.
While Bixby’s Cub did his with aluminum (I think) I did mine with plywood.
Check out my pics in my album, it may give you some ideas.
Colby, I know you have a 25, so your mileage may differ.

[colbysmith]

That does look like a really nice setup. On the 25, that window is in the head. But there is always the other side. Although that would get in the way of an opened cabin door. However, I don't think I want to make any kind of permanent or semi permanent installation. While we've been in a few situations where a/c would have been nice, those situations just don't happen that frequently, and normally running one or two of our small fans suffice. But they definitely won't cut it in the Phoenix August heat. So I'm still looking at something much more temporary in the front center cabin window. Plan would be to carry the a/c in the truck bed until we got to the campground, then install and use it, until ready to leave. I don't plan on using up additional space to store it in the cabin, so have no desire to use it on the water. (Unless we were planning to stay in one location for some time.) Again, I do think you did a great installation, and can see where you could remove it and put in a replaceable window of sorts. I could almost see doing something like that if I still had my 22. Colby

[JamesTXSD]

[thataway]

With Phoenix heat, I would suggest that you go with a motel! I have been there, in the summer on the way to Powell. We had taken motels most of the way with the 25. We were OK at 3,000 feet up the mountain, but not in the Phoenix heat.

I and another experience with 105* in Pateloma, CA. With all windows covered with reflectix insulation, and the 5,000 BTU AC, we were OK--at night when the temp went down--OK.

Even in Las Cruces it was too hot for the 25 and we got a hotel there.

I think the only possible option is the window unit. The 25 can take a bigger AC than the 22. I don't know if you can get a 7500 or 10,000 BTU unit which would fit the window.

Look at the Thataway, CD 25; that had a nice installation, where we put handles on the AC, used a block and tackle to get it in place, and there were wooden runners on the bottom so nothing get scratched by the metal of the AC. There probably are some photos in the "Sea Weed" album also.

[txmntman]

Colby, you are right, my installation might not work out well on the 25.....But, it would keep the head nice and cool!

[colbysmith]

Thanks James and Bob. I have my own doubts how cool a small ac would work in an uninsulated boat. I grew up in Phoenix and have made a few summer visits. All either staying in a hotel or at my sisters. The last few years our visits have been boatless in November, a great time to be there. We’re returning from the planned Catalina adventure, so it’s August and I’ll have the boat. We do have a favorite hotel in Goodyear, we stay at occasionally that has no restrictions on parking the boat, as long as there is room in the lot, so probably what we’ll end up doing. But still might be worth trying an ac just to see if it would be bearable at night, if we leave it running all day with curtains closed. James , just curious, where do you store your boat when you’ve had it with you there in Goodyear? Colby

[thataway]

[JamesTXSD]

[colbysmith]

[daninPA]

Our CD22 came with a Dometic a/c unit installed. We’ve used it twice in two seasons. It works, it’s just the whole point of boating for us is to be outdoors. That said, it’s going to be very useful for overnight trips when we (eventually) sleep aboard.

[-Waypoint-]

Living in South Florida it has been a requirement to have a/c on the boat. We have the 13,500 BTU roof mounted a/c. Last year started using it 90% of the time all day, underway all the time in the summer. Like sitting in the truck on the but on the water. When the outside temps are 98 deg. with 100% humidity , inside temps are 75 deg. 45% humidity. Sliding the side window open and saying wow its humid and hot outside (while making 15kts). That's being a REAL Brat.

Powered by a 2200 Honda EU, burns 1 gallon of gas for 5.5 hours of coolness.
Totally worth it.