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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Keeping cool

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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/10/2002 : 12:52:14

I'm planning a 3 day float on Bear Lake in two weeks, and the temps will likely be in the 100's. As we will be "living aboard" at the marina, I would be interested in cool ideas that have worked for those in hot climates. Thank you for your great ideas. Todd Frye. 86 C-25 SR/SK.

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n/a
deleted

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62 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 13:05:39

I lived aboard in Puerto Rico for 3 years and found some very simple solutions. Using a simple boom awning over the cabin top & cockpit reduces the temp a lot. Use a "Wind Scoop" (Boat US or West Marine) for forward hatch. If you have electric hook-up a couple of small oscillating fans are helpful. Drink lots of water and move slowly, island sytle! Have a great cruise!

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cathluk
Admiral

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USA
513 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 14:09:03

Kathleen is right - its amazing how much cooler your boat will be with a tarp overhead & some fans.

Another solution may also be to get a small window A/C unit & either mount it on a board in your hatch (which presents problems w/ getting in/out of boat) or build a box to fit over your front hatch & mount the A/C unit to that. 2 liveaboards in my marina have done that & it seems to work fine.

We were lucky to come across a Cruise 'n' carry last Feb in a marine consignment shop & its been a blessing on those hot Virginia summer days/nights in July & August.

Cathy
"Blown Away"
'97 C250WK #253

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jm
Captain

Members Avatar

Canada
290 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 14:17:59

I found that adjusting my bio-clock by about 8 hrs had some benefits -it means having an afternoon siesta (from about 1 to 5) in a shaded area, and partying later into the evening when it's cooler. I found it easier to take the heat when not active. (ie. asleep or snoozing)

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 14:25:24

I mounted one of these near the top of the compression post -- cheap and easy to install.http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=201& prrfnbr=98210& store_num=12& store_name=Ventilation& subdept_num=569& subdept_name=Air%20Conditioning%20%26%20Cooling& class_num=571& class_name=Interior%20Fans& outlet=

Not a super strong fan, but it definitely helps when you're sweating bullets.

RichardG 81 C25 SR/FK "Sanity"

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luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 14:54:06

I've been doing the cheapo 5000 btu window AC from wal-mart ($110) for about 2 years now. We really only have 100+ temps for about two months (july-august). It is a bit of a hassle getting in and out (especially when having a few cocktails on the docks with friends, ugh!). I've been interested in figuring out a better way. I've looked at the Cruise and Carry models and the Newport 33 next to me has one, but they weight a ton! At least it would be self-contained and in the front hatch. I've often thought about installing an onboard system (cool-only) for $1100 and using my forward seacock vanity drain temporarily as the water inlet until I can pull her out next year. It seems quite easy to install, but $1100 is alot of moola!

If anyone has any clever ideas about how to use the window air better or something, i'd love to hear it!

Patrick Burnet, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

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Lee
Deckhand

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2 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 16:27:55

This idea is only good for a permanent docking, but… I have wondered about installing a small window air conditioner unit in a separate dock box, with appropriate ducting to separate the warm air/ cold air sides. I would then duct the cool air into the front hatch with a flexible furnace duct. Using this method I would not have to carry the weight aboard or lug the unit, just route the ducting each time. The reason I would mount the unit in a dock box is to keep all the insects out, when not in use, but open it all up when the unit is running. I could store the ducting, when not in use, in the dock box.

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Steve Raffel
Captain

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262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 16:29:52

We bought a product called AnchorShade from West Marine. It was expensive but it is worth it. Picture a large umbrella that is about 6 feet square and you know what we have. It is well made, stores easily and does the job at anchor in less that 10 knots.

Steve Raffel
C 250 WK #408

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 19:12:37

I just installed a bimini last week and it makes things a lot cooler in the cockpit and in the cabin. No more baking in the direct sun. A bimini is a very worthwhile addition to your boat and it doesn't have to cost a lot of boat units. I bought a clearanced off the shelf bimini from BoatUS for $139.99 and, with the help of my trusty pipe cutter, made some simple alterations to the frame so it would fit under the boom. Now after a nice day of sailing I can come back to the marina and sit in the cool shaded cockpit instead of sweating in the hot sun.

Don Lucier, North Star
C25 SR/FK

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 21:19:21

Keep a spray bottle filled with water in the ice chest. When your too hot & sweaty, spray head and shoulders. Works wonders!
Derek

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MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2002 : 12:31:42

I just stopped at the local Save Mart and saw umbrellas with clamps that will attach to the rear stanchion for $4, picked up two and will take them to the boat this afternoon. The temp is scheduled to be 107, that's what it was yesterday too.<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Matt Loeffler
E.C. Rider
Cat 25 86'
FK/SR _/)

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2002 : 13:17:05

The similar 6' BoatBrella (at West, BoatUS, and others) goes for more like $70. ("Marine Quality", of course!) I suspect the discount store version is fine for fresh water folks, and would probably last about a week for me.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

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jellyfish
Navigator

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USA
171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2002 : 13:50:28

we love our cruise n carry, hook that baby up, raise the pop top and put the cover on it, cover the boom with a tarp and one luxury condo to go!!!! the cruise n carry is heavy although and we only keep it on the boat when we know we will be in a marina for at least a couple days. otherwise it is not worth all the work!

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luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2002 : 18:44:16

This last weekend was 104? outside and I just had to be on the water, so I borrowed my dock neighbor's Cruisencarry. As i've said before, it's heavy and cumbersome, and not cheap (about half the price of a built in 5000 cool only unit which would pay for it self in a year or two of convenience). It was much nicer than the wal-mart special that I've been using in the companionway, no more tripping over it, etc. Easy in and out of the cabin. But I sleep in my v=berth and that thing blasted me out. I was frozen!! i had it on lowlow too! I wish they'd make a smaller lightweight model around 3500 btu for us 25ers and under. I guess there's no market in their opinion. Oh Well. Now I know, that if I want comfort, and no hassles, I'm going to spend my boat units on a built in!

Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

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coldducks
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
342 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2002 : 19:18:31

we just finished a two week stay on our c250. had a great time. but as you all know, two weeks ago we were all in that awful heat wave. the sun was so strong that we had to do something to get out of the sun and cool the cabin a bit. i was certainly not going to spend the money for the canvas from the boat store. so i went to my local fabric store, bought two yards of duck cloth, blue of course to match the sail cover, ran a pocket down the long sides, ran to home depot and bought two pieces of 1 inch pvc pipe, added some ties to strap over the boom and got some nylon straps and clips from the fabric store to sew on the 4 corners, hooked them to the stays on the seats and at the cabin an taa daa, had a real nice looking canvas like top. FOR ABOUT 10 BUCKS!! it worked so well that i will make it out of sunbrella next year.

COLDDUCKS
FANTASY #409 C250WK

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