MacGregorSailors.com

As cool as the Billy Box is on the X, I saw this in the mods section for the M. It allows entry into the cabin while the A/C is in place. Pretty slick.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1935

"Billy Box" only works on an X. Just another advantage of the X

Victor

I like the walk through idea however, instead of climbing over Billy's box (which I do have btw)!

How would you walk around the AC? it takes up most of the room it the low entry.

Until we owned and used the AC unit I thought it would be a hassle stepping over. We've had no issues.

The Billy Box adds additional seating like the M. We also constantly use it as a bar.

Victor

@ wbpenney,
Great mod, living in SW-FL, I was playing with that idea myself and got a couple of questions

1. Did you fasten the ac-unit to bottom blocks to achieve the height to clear the rounded corner and stabilize the unit in the companionway?
2. How did you mount the whole assembly, is it only fastened with the clamp on the port edge of the companionway and the grove for the factory hatch?
3. How much horizontal clearance is on the bottom of the step-through, measured right above the rounded corner?
4. What is the exact make and model of the ac?
5. Do you still have drawings for your mod?
I'm not trying to be a PITA, but I would really appreciate the information

Obelix

it the low entry. ??? Sorry I don't understand the low entry statement .

I guess it is mainly situation dependent. I sail mostly single handed and therefore don't need "extra seating" in my cockpit. I am also "over 60" so my knees are not what they used to be therefore it would be easier to walk through / around then climb over. Plus it was a kind of pain in the rear when I had to enlarge my Billy Box for a 6000 BTU unit because there was not a 5000 available.

Again, situation dependent...

I guess I just appreciated a new and different look at a situation well discussed on this board.

Oblix

The block under the AC unit is just to take the weight off the plywood frame. It is just sitting on the block. The block has rubber on the top and bottom to keep it from moving. It is slightly lower then the opening in the plywood to to let the AC unit hang a little and prevent it from moving.

The plywood frame slides into the groove for the original hatch and is held in place on the side by two pieces of oak tightened by a bolt and wing nut. The bottom part of the frame is made tight so it snaps into place.

The distance from the edge to the AC cut out on the port side is abt 1 1/2 inches. From the bottom it is 2 inches

The AC is a Frigidaire model FAX054P7A

I cut the plywood using the factory hatch as a template, then took the measurements of the AC unit and cut a piece of cardboard that size and positioned it on the plywood so the cutout would be as far to port as possible.

There are more pictures and the replacement central AC setup on "boomboom2.blogspot.com"

Bill

vkmaynard wrote:How would you walk around the AC? it takes up most of the room it the low entry.

Until we owned and used the AC unit I thought it would be a hassle stepping over. We've had no issues.

The Billy Box adds additional setting like the M. We also constantly use it as a bar.

Victor

I thought it was really clever when I saw it, and no effective difference compared to the M cockpit in terms of accessibility.

I have been using this for past 5 years, cut out PVC to fit hatch.
http://s182.photobucket.com/user/dbarni ... ditionMacX
Works great.
Dave

Obelix wrote:@ wbpenney,
Great mod, living in SW-FL, I was playing with that idea myself and got a couple of questions

1. Did you fasten the ac-unit to bottom blocks to achieve the height to clear the rounded corner and stabilize the unit in the companionway?
2. How did you mount the whole assembly, is it only fastened with the clamp on the port edge of the companionway and the grove for the factory hatch?
3. How much horizontal clearance is on the bottom of the step-through, measured right above the rounded corner?
4. What is the exact make and model of the ac?
5. Do you still have drawings for your mod?
I'm not trying to be a PITA, but I would really appreciate the information

Obelix

I think what vkmaynard is saying that the X hatch is lower and more narrow compared to the M. The walk around wouldn't work on the X.

Look and daveb's pic. The a/c can't be move to the left or the right.

The Billy box basically makes the X hatch the same height and width as the M.

wbpenney,
Thank you for the additional information.
How wide is the actual step-through?

BTW, I love your permanent AC installation.

Obelix

Obelix,

It is 8 1/2 inches at the bottom, going 14 inches straight up it is 10 1/4 inches, then flares out to 17 3/4 at the top.

Thanks on the central AC install!

Bill

I still like the walk through. However, I don't think I would trade my X for an M just to get the walkthru.

There is no problem in mounting a 5200 btu unit in companion way hatch and do a foot over the hatch/AC unit, easy down below steps.
Simple as cracking a Lobster claw.
Dave

fouz wrote:I think what vkmaynard is saying that the X hatch is lower and more narrow compared to the M. The walk around wouldn't work on the X.

Look and daveb's pic. The a/c can't be move to the left or the right.

The Billy box basically makes the X hatch the same height and width as the M.

The biggest drawback I see with this mod is what do u do with it while sailing as it renders the traveler & mainsheet useless , so now u would have to move the mainsheet & traveler to an arch set-up above the sliding hatch but that might be difficult with a dodger
but it is a nice idea & set-up if u only trawler
J