48 Sundancer Cockpit AC

Not at all. When we arrive at our destination, we put the back curtains up, cover all of the windows including the rear windows, and turn the AC on. I makes it very nice in there.

Ken
 
I guess that is the point. If I am upstairs, I want to be able to see and be seen and not be in an enclosed coccoon with all the windows covered up. Might as well go down in the salon. Just curious Do you guys think that it was Sea Ray's intention to be able to keep it cool on a hot day with nothing covering the windows and the canvas up or was the AC sized for when the windows are covered up.? Just getting opinions. The main reason I ask this is because the unit in the cockpit on the 48 is a 2 ton unit. 2 tons is one big unit. A normal size house these days is getting 2 to 3 tons for the whole house. I think the issue as to why it doesn't work that great is air circulation. The main supply and return grills are within 2 feet of each other. Just my opinion.
 
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I have the same problem. When the sun is shining and it is warm outside, the AC barely cools the air. I think with the huge windows it is hard for the unit to cool the air.
 
That kinda sucks. I still want a 48 (now 500) very badly, but I would have figured the AC would cool ya while ya drive in the hot summer sun.
 
Scott1 said:
That kinda sucks. I still want a 48 (now 500) very badly, but I would have figured the AC would cool ya while ya drive in the hot summer sun.
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It will and I do while idleing up our canal to our house. However it would be impossible to cool the cockpit down unless you kept the aft curtains on. I typically do not run with them and just open the power vents and roof vents.

Ken
 
Interesting thread - I currently have a 270 Sundancer and we are moving towards a 400EC. I suspect that the 48 Sundancer has a "hardtop"? The 400EC we are looking at doesn't. So here is the question: Can I pipe in AC to the cockpit? If so, would it work ok?
Side note - just got back from Florida (Ft. Lauderdale/Key Largo). Hot yes. However, I wouldn't mind boating there for a while.
Thanks,
 
I like the cockpit AC in that the two vents at the helm give me a small breeze (when I'm at the helm), but beyond that when the curtains are up it's absolutely useless. When the curtains are down, *if* we're under cover it will cool the cockpit but if we're out in the sun on a hot day it simply can't keep up and it gets hotter inside than outside (even with the AC running).

Regards,
Jason
 
i have 44 sundance and like the cockpit air >>> alot , it will take the humidity out on rainy days days and removes window condenstion for early morning rides >it will not cool much with the back off ,,,, but should it ??, I use it with the back off to just cool off the people in the helm seat , beyond that it cant keep up with an open back >
 
The cockpit air on our boat will cool the helm down pretty well even with 100 degree temps. I try not to use it on really hot days when we are anchored because it works the compressors pretty hard, they don't really cycle at all they are locked on to keep things cool. However the 510 uses two dedicated units to cool the helm, I'm not sure what size they are. They discharge so much water, about twice the flow of the genny for comparison.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I basically turned my helm area into an up stairs Salon. I replaced the small cockpit TV with larger 35" version and fabricated a TV lift that lifts the TV up over Port Helm seating so that it can be rotated to be viewed from the swivel captains chair. I like sitting up their watching the big TV and waving to passers by and just observe the goings on. However during the day it was getting quite warm even with drop curtain down. To make a long story short. After realizing that the cockpit AC unit has a 2 ton capacity, I realized that the problem was not the unit but the air flow. I purchased an additional fan and now suck air from what was a supply vent in the front of the helm area and return that area to the AC unit. I then blocked off one of the two original return grills and turned the other original return grill into another supply vent. Major Major difference.
 
themorganjane said:
Thanks for all the responses. I basically turned my helm area into an up stairs Salon. I replaced the small cockpit TV with larger 35" version and fabricated a TV lift that lifts the TV up over Port Helm seating so that it can be rotated to be viewed from the swivel captains chair. I like sitting up their watching the big TV and waving to passers by and just observe the goings on. However during the day it was getting quite warm even with drop curtain down. To make a long story short. After realizing that the cockpit AC unit has a 2 ton capacity, I realized that the problem was not the unit but the air flow. I purchased an additional fan and now suck air from what was a supply vent in the front of the helm area and return that area to the AC unit. I then blocked off one of the two original return grills and turned the other original return grill into another supply vent. Major Major difference.
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cool.....pun intended. Sounds like a simple layout and plumbing issue.
 
themorganjane said:
Thanks for all the responses. I basically turned my helm area into an up stairs Salon. I replaced the small cockpit TV with larger 35" version and fabricated a TV lift that lifts the TV up over Port Helm seating so that it can be rotated to be viewed from the swivel captains chair. I like sitting up their watching the big TV and waving to passers by and just observe the goings on. However during the day it was getting quite warm even with drop curtain down. To make a long story short. After realizing that the cockpit AC unit has a 2 ton capacity, I realized that the problem was not the unit but the air flow. I purchased an additional fan and now suck air from what was a supply vent in the front of the helm area and return that area to the AC unit. I then blocked off one of the two original return grills and turned the other original return grill into another supply vent. Major Major difference.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great winter project do you have any pictures you can share of the tv and ac mod?? Have you thought about upgrading the salon tv also? I'm looking for some ideas like above on the newer 48's or maybe a flip-down over a galley area.

Wayne
searay_mid.jpg
 
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Upgrading the Salon TV does not seem practical to me. I have thought about all the different scenarios. I like the TV on the same side of the room as the couch so that noone is walking in front of you. Also, a flip down above the galley would interfere with anyone in the Galley. I would only go with this option if there was no where else to place it. I Have seen a large TV installed on the flat area above where the existing TV is. I don't like that because you find yourself looking up to watch the TV. Making the cabinet where the TV is bigger is just too much work. Just going to leave the TV where it is. 1MO.
 
This forum needs to be searched re: this thread. There is good info on boat sizes on this forum about helm air. Hardtops are a major help and the window covering requirements are not all that bad. For some boats you don't need them and others require only some modest see through white meshes. Dark canvas or any canvas is a major heat sink and a problem in warm climates. That becomes an advantage in Spring and Fall in northern climes, but over all not good even in Michigan when it comes to staying cool on warm days in June through August.
 
sbw1 said:
For some boats you don't need them and others require only some modest see through white meshes.
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This is a good idea. Replace the aft canvas drop curtain with a PVC coated vinyl mesh with an openess factor around 20% ........for summer time. I own an awning and fabric structure company and we make drop curtains for home and commercial use all the time. They really help cut the sun and heat off of patios and into windows. A little wind resistance too.
 
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