www.iFourWinns.com

i am looking at 248 vistas, how hard is it to add the factory air/heat, does it take up much room in the cabin?

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republicans, working hard so you dont have to.

Yep, it sure can. I would go with an aftermarket mfg. and not order it from FW. Much, Much cheaper, and just as good. It takes up no room in the cabin, as everything is installed in other areas of the boat.

Thanks to my friend Al, formerly known as "Vista Al". Here is how he installed it on his 268. It would be nearly identical install on a 248.

http://members.toast.net/boatguy/proj-13.htm

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

The model used on the stock 248 is a 5000BTU Cruiseaire self contained unit with SMXII control. And it works really well (at least for me it does)

It takes up no cabin space. The compressor/condensor unit is mounted inside the left door inside the midbirth, the water pump and all those goodies are in the bilge and you have to run a duct from the compressor out into the cabin right above the steps and another outlet in the midcabin.

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Brett DiMichele

I'll be doing this mod in a few months; I'll do a detailed write up. Meanwhile, peruse Al's great writeup. http://members.toast.net/boatguy/index.htm

this is great infromation, is the air noisy? i see that is it mounted in the mid-berth.

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republicans, working hard so you dont have to.

The refrigerator is noisy.. The air doesn't bother me at all.

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Brett DiMichele

I have the 5000 btu factory a/c, and have concerns about it working well for me.

I have in the past looked at aftermarket a/c units for our last boat and looking to possibly upgrade in current boat. Check this link out to mermaid air.
http://mermaidmarineair.com/marine_ac/air_conditioning.html

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

Why not just stick with Cruiseaire and swap out to a 10K unit if you have concerns? I'm pretty sure the dimensions between the 5K and 10K are nearly the same and it would be as simple as taking one out and putting the other unit in.

I don't live in the south but PA can get some hot weather. Last year we had MANY 90-98 degree days and my 5K unit worked fine.

If you have constant temps in the 110 range then perhaps something larger is needed.

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Brett DiMichele

I love lake powell in mid july and temps can be 103-108 and only cool down to mid 90s at night.
In the past we just drink all day and swim all night, but getting to old for that

First I will have to see just how poorly the 5000 unit does.

I do agree that the fridge is louder than the a/c blower.

I think you may be suprised at how well it works. There were a few nights in the upper 80's with humidity so high on the water that a knife was needed just to see. I was able to keep the cabin 72 and dehumidified with nary an issue. I will be curious to see what your opinion is this summer, so I will follow up for sure!

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Brett DiMichele

In addition to CruiseAir, I would highly consider Mermaid Air. They have an excellent reputation, customer service is wonderful and have 5 yr warranty where Cruisair I believe is 1 yr.

MermaidAir

Just an option....

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

I second the mermaid air. I have a 278 Vista. I changed out the old marine air with a new 9000 btu Marine Air unit. It works much better, uses standard ac parts that you can get almost any where, and has a 5 year warranty. It also comes with a progamable thermastat. I live in AZ and see many days over 110 degrees.

See my new post I started regarding problems installing the AC.

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

Hello Friend, Will you tell us where is your post regarding AC problems? Actually my yacht's AC is not working properly.

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no spam allowed - warning next time banned

I think this is the link that works now for the AC and other projects on the 268

http://www.boat-project.com/boats/fw.htm

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2000 248 Vista