R25 Air Conditioning

[Skeeter63]

I am looking into getting a Trawler and potentially a Ranger. How is the A/C in this boat? Can you run the unit while operating the boat? Does it keep the boat cool on a hot day?

Tim

 

[sparky]

Tim,

We live in Virginia Beach and would not buy a boat without Air Conditioning! The unit is 16,000 BTU and works FANTASTICALLY even when it is 95 degrees outside! It is run either from Shore Power OR off the Generator.

Sparky

 

[Tom Ray]

I am looking into getting a Trawler and potentially a Ranger. How is the A/C in this boat? Can you run the unit while operating the boat? Does it keep the boat cool on a hot day?

Tim

It's a very powerful unit for this size of a boat. You can run it while cruising, and I did so the other day on our dealership's demonstrator boat. August in Florida, so yes, it was hot, and the AC cooled the boat down nicely.

I noticed, and others have mentioned before, that the cooling water flow through the AC was somewhat reduced when running at high speed. Probably a combination of factors, the most important being the fact that the AC and engine both draw through the same sea strainer, so the engine was taking away some cooling water from the AC. It still seemed to be plenty of flow to keep the AC running.

 

[commander bill]

My 2008 R25 has the 16000 BTU model. Earlier models may have a 12000 BTU model which I understand was not adequate for Key West in July so Ranger went to a larger output. The 36 ft Grand banks next to my boat has the same size unit so I quess 16000 BTU is large for this size boat. My only issue has been difficult in getting seawater pump primed at start of season both years. After you finally get all the air out of the seawater hoses the unit runs great for the rest of the season.

 

[sparky]

"I noticed, and others have mentioned before, that the cooling water flow through the AC was somewhat reduced when running at high speed. Probably a combination of factors, the most important being the fact that the AC and engine both draw through the same sea strainer, so the engine was taking away some cooling water from the AC."

I do not understand this one. Our 2009 R-25 (Built July 2008) has a separate seacock for the airconditioner. One for the engine, one seacock for the generator, and the third seacock for the A/C. So if there is a poor amount of cooling water it is because of the boat speed, much like not being able to flush the toilet while underway..... :mrgreen:

Sparky

 

[commander bill]

My R25 (2008 Built end of 2007) also has 3 separate hull valves so I am equally confused. Although my boat is not the speed demon that most of you have I have never found it mattered what speed I go (I am limited to 10 kts). Genset & AC work as well at 10 kts as at 3 kts.

 

[bbrh842]

Older R-25's, 2007 models?, have seperate sea cock for A/C and Engine. One thing I did not hear anyone mention, If you want to run the A/C while you are underway, you must have the optional 120 volt generator installed on the boat. Folks who are not boat savy, may not be aware of this.

 

[Skeeter63]

Great feedback! Thank you.