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Should I run AC while I'm away?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Rob Greenwood, Mar 30, 2023.

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  1. Rob Greenwood, Mar 30, 2023
    #1
    Rob Greenwood

    Rob Greenwood Member

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    I keep my boat (2009 52 Ovation) in Stuart Florida year-round. This is my first time owning a boat in Florida (I am from NY) and so I am wondering if I should keep my Air Conditioning on while I'm away from the boat. For the past few months I have kept the AC off and ran two large dehumidifiers that drain into the sink and shower. The humidity in the boat has stayed around 30% but the temperatures have been rising to around 120 degrees durring the day. Obviously this will only get worse in the summer. The boat has a lot of gloss wood and plush surfaces on the interior and I am not sure if these high tempertures could do damage. All my AC units are Dometic self-contained units. I appreciate all help and advice.
  2. Pascal, Mar 30, 2023
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Down here most people run their AC 24/7 and underway as well. Boats get way too hot inside and even with dehumidifiers the heat will eventually damage stuff starting with anything glued as well as electronics
  3. motoryachtlover, Mar 30, 2023
    #3
    motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    I live in VA and have kept my boat in Stuart for a number of years. I don’t run my AC when I leave the boat to go home. I have paid a price as some of my wall covering has mildewed. So far I have been able to clean it. I don’t like the idea of the AC on while I am 13 hours away. I know of others that do run theirs while away so my way is probably not the way most do. If you have a reliable person to check on it once a week that might work. Where are you keeping the boat?
  4. Rob Greenwood, Mar 30, 2023
    #4
    Rob Greenwood

    Rob Greenwood Member

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    I am keeping the boat near Sunset Bay Marina. I think I am going to keep my AC units on at around 78. My next issue is dealing with the sea strainers. I will not be able to check them more than once every 4-6 weeks. I know they clog up quickly in Florida. An electro sea system is out of the budget. Has anyone had any success with chlorine tablets or anything of the sort?
  5. Capt Ralph, Mar 30, 2023
    #5
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Our company in Jax offered boat sitting and checking. I don't hear of these services any more.
    Maybe a local dock guy, boat sitter or boat washer can keep a check on pump discharge and clean it when needed.
    I'd leave your ACs in De-Humid mode. They blow cool when running.
    No need for your stand-alone de-Humid machines fighting with the ships AC units either.

    If You do leave the ACs in cool mode, Move the stats up a good bit, Maybe 90°.
    That way their not running 24/7 during the hot days and still protecting the interior finishes.

    Another thought, lots of fresh water running off of the lake and canal, I wonder if that area fouls that quickly?
  6. Rob Greenwood, Mar 30, 2023
    #6
    Rob Greenwood

    Rob Greenwood Member

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    Good point with the fresh water coming from the lake. I'll have to ask around.
  7. vacser, Mar 30, 2023
    #7
    vacser

    vacser New Member

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    I keep mine on the hard at Riverforest from June to October. I have the high gloss interior also. I run 2 dehumidifiers set to 50%. I set the humidifiers on my old boat at 30% and it dried out the wood. After 5 seasons the wood looks like new.
  8. Capt Ralph, Mar 30, 2023
    #8
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Just came to me to post on your thread. It may not apply to you but a billion folks read these threads.

    Confidence in your equipment???

    Were all nervous about leaving sea cocks open while away from our boats.
    Worried about clamps, hoses and fittings failing.

    When we took on new dock sitting customers, we surveyed the boat with the boat owner and not take any dock sitting customers on with poor equipment near or below the water line.
    All away customers were also instructed to secure their boats as a big storm was coming tomorrow.
    A review of the insurance policy was also recommended.

    So brother Rob, Is your boat securely tied? All fresh hoses, clamps and hardware/fittings?

    Modern AC units will fault and stop on low/no water if the strainers get clogged.

    We were also an independent tow/salvage company. Won every claim.

    I just had to type this.
  9. MBee, Mar 30, 2023
    #9
    MBee

    MBee New Member

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    I’ll suggest that if you want to keep the boat dry, this isn’t the way to do it. Just won’t run the compressor enough to dehumidify much.

    After having a boat in Southern Florida, I can’t imagine not running AC at normal settings. Didn’t have great success with dehum mode either.
  10. David Helsom, Apr 2, 2023
    #10
    David Helsom

    David Helsom Senior Member

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    This was after three weeks in January at Sunset Bay.

    Attached Files:

  11. SplashFl, Apr 3, 2023
    #11
    SplashFl

    SplashFl Active Member

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    We don't know 100% why, but ALL of the clear coated teak walls on last years purchase were "crinkled," and had to be sanded as a result. Several wood finishers said it was probably due to excessive cabin heat. My three new AC units have a mode for dehumidify but there is no option to set either temperature or humidity so you might explore that and DEFINITELY find someone to check on her every week or two.
  12. bayoubud, Apr 4, 2023
    #12
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    We always left AC on dehumidify when not on the boat. Kept boat fresh and no mildew.