MacGregorSailors.com

Tahoe Jack,

How did you ever remember to give yourself enough clearance for the cockpit cushions? You can be sure that I would have forgotten to take them into account.

-DonB

If you have not looked at Jack's Mod for installing an air conditioner, check it out http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=693

This has to be the most well decribed Mod I have seen. The only thing it is lacking is a downloadable full scale dimensioned template for cutting the plywood out.

Thanks Jack. You have some really good ideas. I think you set the new standard for describing the Mod.

Thanks for the compliments...now I won't be able to do an abreviated one? Actually, I am a design engineer and I like my work ....and find it hard be brief. Been moving rivers and designing environmental parks so the Mac provides more instant gratification. Thinking that was the 22nd mod....or somewhere in there. I keep a few in reserve but hold them till someone brings up a topic. My sons think that the 'ol Mac may not float if we keep messing with it. This site has sure been a great resource for my mods.....and they seem to keep evolving so no shortage of projects. Jack

I, for one, would love to see what else you've done.


Rather than holding on to them until they come up, you might save someone (like me) some trouble and just post what you have...

Jack, there was no doubt in my mind that you were a DE. That is what I used to do early in my career. I drive my wife crazy though because I still like to do multi-view drawings w/parts list on all my projects. Hey, that is half of the fun. Designing, building and testing Mac mods sometimes rivals sailing.

Great mod Jack. Looks like you have overcome several engineering challenges there. I thought about doing a (much less fancy) hatch mod for A/C at one point, but now my family is so large that I think it may be better to secure the A/C under the captains seat somehow and build a rear panel to a full enclosure which seals around it. Of course, same issues with moving around just that now you would have to climb over the A/C to get out of the boats transom. Not sure if it could take the weight of people stepping on it, maybe I could make a frame around it. The idea would be to leave it there semi permanently, maybe even combine it with a back porch mod. Of course, there are other problems, like where to put the generator Not sure I've seen anyone do this here. I suppose yet another option might be to build your own unit down below similar to the mermaid air but use cheaper parts, for example, taking apart a wall unit and placing the parts around strategically. I've thought about a lot of these things but I get the feeling its not going to happen any time soon.

Dimitri.....I have a mod posted for putting the Honda 2k under the helm seat, etc. Seems to work for us. We only use it on overnight trips or maybe a hot day trip down in the Sacramento Delta.

OK DLT.....tomorrow I'll post a fun little weekend mod I have named 'the mini-backporch'. Should be of interest to many 26X folks. Again, others have done elaborate ones but this is just enough to get the job done...place to walk while protecting the port side steering linkage. I'll review my write-up and pics and shoot for a post Wed eve. Jack

I have just conducted my first preliminary assessment of the use of a portable A/C unit in my Mac26X. It was a gift from my son; not sure where he got it. I know Pepboys were selling them last year in two sizes. I placed it on the starboard side bow berth area facing aft. the exhaust hose runs out the forward hatch. The drainage runs conveniently into my forward placed freshwater tanks through a two ft hose. I will probably build an insert for the hatch so that it is roughly air/water tight into which the exhaust hose will attach. Yesterday, I just threw a towel over the hatch, and it did OK for a first field trial. Sat in the cabin enclosed with A/C unit on and two fans, and it felt very comfortable. My Mac is in Sanford, Florida. Outside temperature was about 90 with high humidity. One challege is securing the unit. Right now I just have it straped to the back of the dinette seat and life jackets padding it on the outboard side. Still working on a more permanet fix for that. Overall, for a non-engineer type, this looks like a viable option. Herschel

Herschel... how many BTUs?

Portable unit referred to in previous posting (Sanford) is a 10,000 BTU/hr unit with a SPT-USA brand made by Sunpentown Int'l, Inc. (800-330-0388 or www.spt-usa.com) for a recommended room size of 300 sq. ft., uses R-22 refrigerant, net weight 63 lbs, dimensions 17W, 17D, 30H, working temperatures 64-110 F. Power consumption 660W/6A. Herschel

Completed second experiment with portable a/c unit described above (spt-usa). Ran a/c unit from 2-4 PM on hot central Florida day (92 F). Cabin temperature at start of trial was 103. After two hours, while experimenting with different ways of blocking front hatch around exhaust tube and several "in-and-outs" through the main hatch to complete other tasks, the unit had cooled the cabin to 95. Subjective feel was comfortable, but borderline. Fans helped. I would be curious what kind of responce others are getting from their attempts to a/c a Mac 26X in these conditions. My next effort will be to test a sleep aboard during the evening and see how well it keeps the boat cool during the evening. I am also interested in how well it keeps the temperature down when it has a headstart from the cooler evening. Having an efficient way to egress and enter the cabin seems critical. Pulling aft hatch cover forward and taking out hatch, reversing same after out, seems to lose a lot of the cooling effort even if done quickly.

I would have thought you'd see a better temp differential, like maybe down in the low 80's. Does the lack of insulation in the boat make it hader to get them temp down?

Anyone out there with an airconditioner that can get lower temps with similar outside temps?

Something isnt right...10k BTU should cool you down more than that...my 5k unit takes 12x12 foot room down to 75 PDQ...

Maybe you have solar vents that are pumping hot air back in??

I can freeze you out of my boat with my 5k BTU unit, in over 100 deg weather.

I usually set the thermostat just shy of half way, on the warmer side.

DLT wrote:I, for one, would love to see what else you've done.


Rather than holding on to them until they come up, you might save someone (like me) some trouble and just post what you have...

TahoeJack --

Me too...good Mac ideas are a premium to me...Thanks