New Built-in AC System for Our 26X :)

[csm]

Seems like a pretty LONG step down into the cabin, but for us spry youngsters it's a small price to pay for the clean convienent AC installation. Add me to the list of interested customers. Blue M owners eat your hearts out

[vkmaynard]

Seems like a pretty LONG step down into the cabin, but for us spry youngsters it's a small price to pay for the clean convenient AC installation. Add me to the list of interested customers. Blue M owners eat your hearts out

I thought the same thing. On our 2001 model the step is really not a problem. You would have to try it to experience it.

Erik is working on a stair mod for his 1999 X to make it a little more convenient. Notice his wife overlooking the check signing ceremony.

Maybe Erik/James will add their opinion to this thread. One is busy working on his MacBaby while the other is having a baby in September.

Victor

[bubba]

I guess I will waite for the solar powered A/C units to come out next year.

[richandlori]

Man, that looks much nicer than my Mexico/Okie set up!!


Great Job.

Rich

[seamonkey]

Hey guys. We're one of the lucky folks who bought a AC Box unit from Billy's preproduction run.

The Admiral (who is currently pregnant) was a big fan of Billy's AC Mod when we went on the Albemarle sail this past weekend. She much prefers the aesthetics of a professionally constructed AC box than the poor-man's piece of plywood and a towel that were used during previous seasons. Cooling efficiency is significantly higher with the AC box now that air leakage from the cabin around edges of AC & gangway are virtually eliminated.

The benefit of being able to keep the AC box in place (with AC within it) during sailing cannot be understated. I was so tired of having to lift the **** thing down into the cabin and stow it below, only to reverse the process each night at the marina. Having the extra seat/bench in the cockpit area is really nice... anyone ever noticed that the shade from a bimini top always seems to favor the location that prevents stretching out? Well, maybe it's just my special relationship with Mr. Murphy, but now that we have a bench on all four sides of the cockpit the odds of a nice nap in the shade just improved.

Oh, and about that "long step down". We have a 2000 26X, which includes the ladder from gangway to the interior of the cabin floor. With the box installed, there is only about a 13.5" step down from the AC box bench top to the fiberglass gangway lip (which works quite well as a step). From there, it's maybe 8-10" to the top step on the ladder. The very pregnant Admiral (~5 weeks remaining) found it quite easy to step in and out, although I would have much preferred that she had just sat down on the AC box bench top during entrance/egress and swung her legs between the cabin/cockpit.

James

[jcasale]

I want one...

[bubba]

It's 105 F here today, I need one to day.

[Erik Hardtle]

Yes that is me writing a check... it is worth it!!!! This thing is much cooler (hehe) than the CruisAir that I was using. I will probably just leave it installed all the time... since we are fair weather sailors. We will probably make a cushion to match the original cushions to go on top. My Admiral likes the A/C box so much that I now have to expand the galley top... oh great another mod... hehe.

I have contacted railmakers.com who made the origional companionway ladders for the X's. I just got the blueprints from them and will see about ordering one. I'll keep everyone informed.

Erik

PS: I have a nice CruisAir 5000 for sale now... only $250.

[Rick Westlake]

Seems like a pretty LONG step down into the cabin, but for us spry youngsters it's a small price to pay for the clean convienent AC installation. Add me to the list of interested customers. Blue M owners eat your hearts out

What long step down?

I built a three-piece set of dropboard to replace the huge 26X washboard, and the bottom board is about as high as the seats. If I face the stern and grab the mainsheet-rail, I can easily back down belowdecks - over the bottom board - without even sliding back the turtleback hatch. (Oh, and I'm 5'9", 200 lbs, and 55 years old. So it's not all about being so limber.)

If I were keeping Bossa Nova in a slip with electric power - I would be SO eager to get one of these. But somehow the notion of running a generator to run the air-conditioner, while at anchor, doesn't suit me ... and it really hasn't been that hot in the evenings I've slept over on the West River ... naaah, not yet; what I really need are Lewmar #4 portlights to replace the forward "side windows" in Bossa Nova's cabin, and I really should get a stronger "spring strut" for my bow hatch. Then I'd have good ventilation for those warmer nights.
Still, the "Bubba Box" is one more reason for me to be glad I've got my !
(Hey, I could use the box for more storage!)

[bubba]

Bubba here so what is a Bubba Box ?

[bubba]

Does my M have a Bubba Box ? Is it where you keep your pain killers or your sipping bottle ?

[Waterbear]

In Port shore power A/C. 5000btu, removed broken solar vent on forward hatch, open anchor locker,
place A/C Unit mount on 1x3s with rubber vibration pads in locker, use 1 and 1/2 heater floor
duct with duct tape to mount to cooling exhust, run A/C duct 3-4 ft to old solar vent hole. no water drain needed goes out anchor locker drain. close anchor locker hatch as best as possibel use latch
and rope or bungee to secure.
Or just get a Home Depot Turbo Fan open forward hatch and get use to climate. In fact at night
the fan is usually to cool.
Most of the mods listed above seem like a motel room is wanted with sealed doors and no view or feeling of being on the water. not an outside sailing/motoring
experience.

[Rick Westlake]

Bubba here so what is a Bubba Box ?

Does my M have a Bubba Box ? Is it where you keep your pain killers or your sipping bottle ?

Oops! I'm sorry, Bubba - case of mistake-in-identity on my part. I should have said a "Billy Box."

My calling it a "Bubba Box" was just a brief episode of "Partzheimer's", ya know, like "CRS".

(But on second thought - !!! You ought to invent a "Bubba Box" for Mac owners to stock with their painkillers and sipping bottles - some kind of perfect-place, convenient, discreet cooler to hold that which is "good for what ails you." The name "Bubba Box" is just too good not to have one out there. Let us know what you think....)

[Billy]

So here's an exploded view of the a/c box with the solid hatchboard.




I'm not going in the business, but after numerous inquiries I've decided I would build a few for the X owners that wanted one. Well, the parts are actually cut on a CNC machine in a cabinet shop, so they are consistent. I think we finally have the measurements close enough to fit most Xs. (I've discovered not all Xs are exactly alike.)

I'm not posting a price because I don't want the moderators to think I am trying to commercialize on this site. For additional info or pics, just email me. (No they're not cheap, but not ridiculous either.)


I did think about building one for myself with solid sides and a hinged lid, and using it as a lazarette during the winter. (Yeah, a Bubba Box! I like that.)

[Rick Westlake]

I'm not going in the business, but after numerous inquiries I've decided I would build a few for the X owners that wanted one ... I'm not posting a price because I don't want the moderators to think I am trying to commercialize on this site. For additional info or pics, just email me. (No they're not cheap, but not ridiculous either.)

Billy ... had you noticed the menu-bar item between "Forum" and "Classifieds" ...?

Your air-conditioner box would fit very nicely indeed into the MacGregorSailors catalog, with Aussie Bob's galley-cupboard and the like. You'll notice that Aussie Bob's items are "not cheap, but not ridiculous either" - and you've already heard from quite a number of people who like your design.

I don't know that Aussie Bob is into making and marketing his gear full-time ... maybe just on-demand, "for the owners that want one." But even if you just sold the blueprints ...

I did think about building one for myself with solid sides and a hinged lid, and using it as a lazarette during the winter. (Yeah, a Bubba Box! I like that.)

A nice, enclosed, maybe even lockable place to put fenders, dock lines, and other gear you want to keep in the cockpit?
I believe you could find a good market for that, too! Starting with me.
(But you don't have to make my mistake. It would sell just as well as a "Billy Box." )