Carver Owners Forum

My family just purchased our second boat. A 1980 carver mariner 3396. We haven't boated in several years as we sold our 26 wellcraft excel because we outgrew it with 3 kids and no a/c. We boat on the south shore of Long Island with many overnight trips to fire island.

The boat seems so roomy. We will not be putting it in this year because we need to do some cleaning, cosmetic updates and get my husband ready from going from a single screw to a double.

No a/c currently and eventually our goal to do a whole unit. Meanwhile we are thinking of a marine hatch or portable a/c. Thoughts, size? Thanks for the feedback!

Welcome aboard!
Watch craigslist for a used portable.

Welcome aboard.

Welcome to the forum and Carver.....good luck with your new boat..

I have not heard very good reviews on the portables.

My 36 aft didn't come with any A/C (or heat) either. We used a space heater for years in the early and late season.

A few years ago we had to do something for the dog when we left her in the cabin on the hot days. I got a home portable A/C with heat. It's 16K btu and I took an old scratched portlight that I had replaced and cut a hole in it for the portable's exhaust hose. We've been using it for 2 or 3 years now and it's worked out great. I built a little stand so it sits about a foot higher and also strapped it in so it doesn't move if the boat gets knocked around with waves.

I just got a 7k btu marine unit from a friend. The circuit board had fried, but the mechanicals were still good. I have it hooked up in manual mode now and it cools our aft cabin very nicely. Eventually I do a full install on it, and replace the manual switches with a custom digital control.

You can find used marine ones, but be careful with what you buy, as it may be more problems than it's really worth.

Welcome Aboard. Nice boat. You do have many choices how to add A/C to a boat. Personally I prefer a marine reverse cycle unit. I just think it performs better overall when compared to a hatch unit or a window type unit. All will do the job. Of course a marine unit is more costly.

Hello there and welcome aboard, you found the best boat and best forum
Sail over to the Netherlands and you don't need an AC

Welcome

Welcome aboard
On a side note I flip houses and I use a portable rolling a/c that vents out a window. It will cool 400 sq ft and it cost $399. With heat $499
I picked it up at Lowes and the namebrand is LG
Just a thought for the time being