www.iFourWinns.com

Hello all,

I am having some work done over the winter to my boat. I wanted to double check the prices I have been quoted. They guy I am using is a single guy who owns his own business and comes highly recommended by the people that slip near me at my marina. I guess people like him because he does his own work and they say he's really good.

I am having air conditioning installed. He quoted me a price of approx $2,500 for the unit and $1,000 for the labor. He said their are cheaper units available but he thinks this is a quality unit (don't have any further details). I am also having the same guy do my bottom paint. My boat is currently bottom painted but it's beginning to flake off and looks like a dalmation. I am assuming he's going to have to remove the old paint, prime, and repaint. He quoted me $1,800 for that.

Are these reasonable prices?

Thanks for your advice.

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

Woggy, I hate to say it, but both quotes sound high to me! I would definitely shop around!

I could be way off base here, but I believe you should be able to get the A/C including the installation for $2,500, and the bottom paint job should be approx half of what you were quoted at approx $35/Ft!

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'04 FW 268Vista "Andiamo"

I thought they both sounded a little high as well, however, I am curious if it would be worth it for the assurance that it's done correctly. Both of the Four Winns Dealers I spoke with, sort of blew me off. Obviously the bottom paint on my boat now wasn't done correctly because if it were, it wouldn't be flaking off. Also, I wonder if the mere fact that there are few people in our area that work on express cruisers is inflating the price a bit.

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

Woggy
Here in CT I was quoted 2500 parts and labor for a 7000 btu ac with heat. I found a guy in Florida who sells the units and my neighbor at the marina used him when he bought one. I called him and he sells the 9000 btu with heat for 1300.00 shipped. Its a complete kit that needs nothing else to install. Comes with all ducks, thermostat, thru hulls and everything. I am doing the install myself this winter. Seems pretty straight forward. I am a Tech for Mazda so I have some mechanical ability. The only thing I was concerned with was the thru hull, but I plan on using the intake for the head seeing as I dont use the pump. I use the shower water for flushing.

I just saw a 9K BTU Cruiseair (what's used by FW) for $1300 on ebay, not sure if that was with reverse cycle heat or not, and the cruiseair kits usually need a "install kit" which runs, another $300 or so.

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Brett DiMichele

On our last boat I was concidering on of these Mermaid A/C units. See link http://mermaidmarineair.com/marine_ac/air_conditioning.html

Current boat (just got it end of aug) came with a Cruisair 5000 btu unit, I have my doubts about it working at powell next summer. I am thinking about upgrading, but will give it a try next summer first. I think that our a/c at least needs to be recharged.
That 9000 BTU unit sounds like the ticket!!!

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

One of the guys on my dock has a 248 also and he has a 7k unit in it. On hot days it does ok. The dimentions of the 9k are the same as the 7 and it is only about 4lbs heavier. I think I will be going with the 9k. Cant have to much cold when you need it.

The stock 5K unit in my 248 worked great this summer. I was able to keep the cabin at 70/72 degrees when it was 89 to 90 air temp.

The 7 or 9K would probably freeze my cuzunya's off you also need to check the electrical requirements of the 7 and 9K units, my 5K runs off my EU2000i no problem, not sure if the other two would (I think they would).

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Brett DiMichele

Mermaid Air mentioned by powellcrazy has a very good reputation down here. One member of our club purchased a used boat and received a mermaid Air unit with it which had not yet been installed. He installed it with help of another boater and advice given by Mermaid Air. Once installed the unit wasn't functioning properly. He called Mermaid Air back and took the unit to them for repair ( about a 100 mile drive for us). They replaced the controller for him even though the unit was out of warranty (not the original buyer) and upgraded the controller at no charge at the same time.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

great info! I think i'm going to pop one in soon too. If someone gets to it first, can you take pics of the install? (please!)

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

I should have taken some photos of the unit that is installed in our boat, while I was installing a sub and amp I was working all around the a/c unit. Looks like it would be a straight foward, fairly easy install. After studying the four winns owners manual, it preaty much shows everything, where its located, duct work, ect...

I did go to West Marines catalog and compair prices of the Cruisair to the Mermaid, I still think if I upgrade or install a 2nd unit, it will be the Mermaid.

Keep us updated.

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

on the 248, does the condensate line run to the shower sump or overboard?

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

The condesate line connects into the overboard discharge, of course there is some kind of one way check valve installed. Reading the new owners manual I just got from cruisair, there are 2 condensate lines, one on each end.

I just had cruisair/Dometic email this litterature (pdf), specs, drawings, diagrams, installation,ect... if anyone cares to have a copy to study, let me know.

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