The Pros and Cons of Staying Cool at Sea

There are few things greater than cruising around on the water with the wind in your hair and enjoying the warmth of the sun. The biggest downside to this is getting overheated. The sun is nice, but too much warmth can be very uncomfortable. A nice cool cabin or an icy drink can remedy the unsavory heat that occasionally becomes overwhelming. Yes, air conditioning is a wonderful thing; almost as wonderful as the luxury of ice that often gets taken for granted.

When people think of yachting or sailing, they don’t think much about air conditioning. I know that I never did. But spend one night in a cabin with humid, unmoved air and you will never forget it. No one wants their guests to be uncomfortable or to get a terrible night’s sleep. That is why many people have installed air conditioners on their boats, if for no other reason than to keep the sleeping quarters cooled off.

The benefits of having air conditioning are fairly obvious, but the downsides usually aren’t. The most obvious downside is the cost, and I’m not talking about the financial costs though they can get pretty steep. Air conditioners take their toll on a boat’s power. After all, it takes quite a bit of energy to keep the air cool. Most people keep these costs down by only running the air at night and by using a separate power generator so that the battery doesn’t get overworked.

Ice makers are also a lovely luxury on a boat. It isn’t really necessary if you are just going to spend a day or two on the water. But if you like to take extended trips then you will want your own source of ice to keep your beverages cool. Plus, if there is an accident and someone needs to ice something down, you’ll be set if you have an ice maker.

Of course, as with anything there is a downside to having an ice maker. It takes up space and uses up power for sure. The greatest downside though is this: Where are you going to get the water to make the ice? You can’t use sea water for a number of reasons. You need clean water so that you don’t make people sick and so you don’t damage your ice maker. To get clean water you will need a water purifier, which is also called a water maker. Though a water maker can be pricy, it is totally worth it. Not only will you have clean water to make ice with, but you will have clean water to drink which is very important if you’re going to be at sea for a while.

Air conditioners and ice makers are wonderful additions to yachts and other larger boats. Though they have their downsides, their benefits are great. Whether you decide to get them or not, just remember to stay cool.