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

[vkmaynard]

My wife conspired with Billy (XX) to have a second version of his AC mod made for our boat as an Anniversary/Father's Day present

Three 26Xers have been begging for over a year to get this mod, and we got the first CNC one ever made.

The easily removable AC box is made from a PVC material.

Entry and exit is the same as the 26M with the box in place (no additional hassle). The box also doubles as another seat.

We are going to add the smoke Plexiglas rear window panels (like Billy's) next week.

Victor

[AKCoastie]

Dang that looks nice.

[Québec 1]

Nicest AC mod for a Mac I have seen to date . Don't need it here cause its so friking cold and wet and windy I have not gone to the boat for 6 days!
Q1

[Love MACs]

That is the cleanest install for AC that I have seen. Must be nice to be so handy with tools


Allan

[tompolak]

You know that is really nice. If you want to sell a few of them, I would like to buy one. I can't make one look that nice. Just something to think about. It looks like it would be fairly simple to produce in limited quantities.

[Gazmn]

Well if you were considering going into business with this model - There'd be a lot of takers. [True entrepreneurship in the face of a lackluster economy.]
Including me - & I already made my own

[keith]

Thats just what we need here in aussie could you show a photo from the inside

[Rick Westlake]

Oooooohhhhh, that IS slick! A very nice piece of work.
You could even install the style traveler across the top of it.

How much for a kit!

[vkmaynard]

Contact "Billy" (Double Cross) on this forum. He is the brilliant designer and builder for this mod.

I know that at least two other locals are in the begging line. Maybe some of you can push him to build more.

We are extremely thrilled to own the second unit built. This unit drops in with NO holes or mounting of anykind.

By the way, getting in and out of the cabin seems to be about the same, but without the hassle of lifting the AC in and out.

The Plexiglas two piece rear window really adds to the openness when everything is closed and cooling.

Now we have AC, pressurized water, transom shower, head shower and new electric.

Victor

[rick retiree]

Nice Mod! Very clever I'm guessing you installed approximately 5000 btu window unit. Does it handle your North Carolina heat/humidity ok? I was going to cut out opening in hatch door but this would be much better. How about making it portable and stow in V-berth where you would want the weight while underway. Wonder if my Honda EU2000 could handle it. Dang now I got another project.

[Billy]

Vic, didn't know you were going to show it off like this. Glad you're happy with it. Thanks guys for the comments. Some of you may remember about a year ago, I built this mod with plywood & truckbed liner. After some inquiries from other X owners, and just for the experience, I worked with a friend measuring & calculating one for CNC. (Fiberglass molds just seemed too much trouble.) Then we decided to use PVC board & SS screws so almost anyone with a screwdriver could put it together. If the PVC board does everything it promises, this unit should outlast the a/c unit. (Then the a/c unit is tossed & another put in.) We designed the "box area" to accomodate almost any 5-6000 BTU window a/c. Seemed I couldn't stop there. Just had to make a hatchboard to complete the unit. It was a rewarding experience when it fitted. Rounded a couple of edges and it fell into place.

Thats just what we need here in aussie could you show a photo from the inside

or did you mean from inside the boat? Unlike the prototype, this unit has a floor with cutouts for drainage. The a/c could be hung from the top or set on the floor. Several ways to secure it.

Well if you were considering going into business with this model - There'd be a lot of takers. [True entrepreneurship in the face of a lackluster economy.]
Including me - & I already made my own

Not really ready to go into this business yet. My housing business already limits my sailing time. Would consider making a few for forum members. But need to correspond with Heath. Wouldn't be right to commerialize on his property.

Nice Mod! Very clever I'm guessing you installed approximately 5000 btu window unit. Does it handle your North Carolina heat/humidity ok? I was going to cut out opening in hatch door but this would be much better. How about making it portable and stow in V-berth where you would want the weight while underway. Wonder if my Honda EU2000 could handle it. Dang now I got another project.

I've used a 5000 BTU for a few years now (NC & Bahamas) and it will bring the temperature down so that one starts looking for covers to wrap with. While at anchor I use a Honda 2000 generator. Fill the tank at night and it runs until morning. Awaken very refreshed.
I tried portable a few years. Weight of the a/c & retained water from condensation just make it too much of a hassle. The bench top seemed to offer more rewards (uses) than something that stows below. Leaves room to store more stuff below. One can leave the whole unit at home & go back to the standard hatchboard anytime.

[Russ]

Very nice and professional looking.

That PVC board looks like it might have a lot of boating applications. Where do you get that stuff?


--Russ

[Irafatsar]

Very nice and professional looking.

That PVC board looks like it might have a lot of boating applications. Where do you get that stuff?


--Russ

we use that material daily you can get it from any good plastic shop, I can cut it and acrylic as well. we make custom reptile cages with it, Now can I do that on our M?

[Billy]

We get the PVC sheets from a building supply distributor. A lot of this stuff is being used in the housing market. The box is made from 3/4" and the face & hatchboard from 3/8" with the edges trimmed to fit the hatchboard rails. This is the brand we used http://www.komatrimboards.com/ Impressive stuff.
And I used it to replaced the backboard on my bb goal. So far no warpage or rot.

[Erik Hardtle]

Hey Billy... I didn't tell no one... (am I still next? )

Erik

PS: Anyone want a slightly used Cruise Air for the Hatch ($300 obo)