Help us settle the Air Conditioner debate

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by john61ct

And not just based on climate.

Some are opposed to A/C on principle, and realize given enough time, the body does acclimate if given the opportunity.

Not so sure about that. I think you just get used to being uncomfortable. We didn't have air in the house as a kid. It was just miserable in the middle of summer. Never got "acclimated".

[john61ct]

I grew up in American comfort.

Lived for decades in third-world conditions near the equator, often in large concrete cities.

With fans, cross-ventilation, appropriate clothing and moving more slowly, over a few years got to the point where my body was used to it.

But spending time in fancy hotels restaurant cinemas would definitely set me back a week or so.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Not so sure about that. I think you just get used to being uncomfortable. We didn't have air in the house as a kid. It was just miserable in the middle of summer. Never got "acclimated".

Agreed. I didn't grow up with A/C and used sleep on a cot in the basement during heat waves. My parents never had A/C on their boats when I was kid. I spent many, many, many brutal nights in the marina with a fan.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Not so sure about that. I think you just get used to being uncomfortable. We didn't have air in the house as a kid. It was just miserable in the middle of summer. Never got "acclimated".

You certainly do get "acclimatised"* to warmer conditions. It's "winter" here at the moment. Night lows of about 21-24°C (70-75°F) and daytime highs of around 30-32°C (85-90°F).

Haven't bothered to run the a/con in the last 3 months. Fans and open hatches are quite sufficient.
We're quite comfortable at an interior temperature around 28°C (80°F)

It's 28°C ° in the saloon at the moment, one front hatch and the cockpit sliding door open (very light breeze where we sit in the sheltered marina) and I haven't bothered to turn a fan on.


*I know that the US "acclimate" is the most common usage these days, but it still sounds wrong to me

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by john61ct

And not just based on climate.

Some are opposed to A/C on principle, and realize given enough time, the body does acclimate if given the opportunity.

As you age, you lose that ability somewhat and or maybe just don't deal with the stress as easily.
Older people are often the victims in a heat wave.

However, why be miserable if you don't have to? I guess it's where you draw the line, for some it's an engine and others refrigeration, some a generator.
However just as a consideration, if we are talking a built in genset and a marine AC, we are talking at least $10,000.
That may be a consideration, nix the generator and do all the work yourself and a marine AC might can be done for just under $2,000.
For some that is a considerable expenditure, maybe not worth the cost.
Plus seemingly a generator is one of the most maintenance intensive things on a cruising boat

[ValiantV]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

However, why be miserable if you don't have to?

That has to be the bottom line.

If you're on such a tight budget that you just can't afford it - then you go without.

There are a ton of things that we don't "need" on a boat and I'd wager that only the most self-deprived purist forgoes all of these non-essentials.

If you can sleep on a boat on a windless night where the temperature and humidity put the "real feel" readings into the 90's and above - more power to you. For me and the Admiral - it's simply not comfortable or pleasant.

[BandB]

Wifey B: I could acclimate to a lot of things I have no intention of doing. Being without A/C is one. I'm sure I could acclimate to eating nothing but canned foods out of the cans or to no lights, just moonlight and stars and otherwise dark or to sitting in the same spot and never moving or to a life without sex. I don't get all this can acclimate stuff. As humans we can endure a lot of things but is that what life is about? I once acclimated to my life being in danger and living in a life and death situation, hidden away and protected. I survived but doesn't mean I want to do it again.

It's pleasure boating..pleasure pleasure pleasure.

And I want pleasure.

And while having pleasure, I want my bedroom no warmer than 72 degrees or so.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by BandB

And while having pleasure, I want my bedroom no warmer than 72 degrees or so.

Gak! Icebox territory!



-Chris

[BandB]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Gak! Icebox territory!



-Chris

Wifey B: Guess I must just have a hot body, but then so does hubby. We never use a quilt or comforter, just a sheet.

The doctors recommend 68 degrees. Lowering our body temps slightly induces sleep. Your brain is already trying to slightly reduce your body temp so room temp can help it. Sleep.org and other places recommend 60-67 degrees but places like Web MD and such warn that if it's too cold it hurts too. The right temp increases the REM sleep. For us, we think it's between 68 and 72 degrees.

Here's one of thousands of articles on it.

Choosing the Best Temperature for Sleep | HuffPost

I think we are a bit like athletes with warmer bodies than most. You know how touching someone else some people always feel warm and some always cold. But your body goes through a temp cycle day and night.

Lots of people sleep in warmer temps but if tested at 78 degrees and at 72 degrees the tests would show they clearly sleep better at the lower temp. Just the way it is.

Number one complaint about foam mattresses is the heat and that's why most now have some gel.

Here's an interesting article on men's sleep. Best Room Temperature For Sleeping | Men's Health

There's also one that gives the top 5 reasons to sleep naked.

The Health Benefits of Sleeping Naked | Men's Health

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by BandB

Wifey B: Guess I must just have a hot body,

Hmmm.....

Originally Posted by BandB

There's also one that gives the top 5 reasons to sleep naked.

I've tented in the snow before, slept with no heat then... but now I have trouble sleeping when I'm shivering...



-Chris

[Broadside]

It all depends on where you are going to sail. If you are going to stay in the NorCal and further North region, I don't think it's necessary. If you are going to a tropical region with higher temps and HIGHER HUMIDITY, along with higher water temperatures, the heat of the water also warms the boat from the bottom up, I can only say I think you will be unhappy without A/C. My wife is just competing a sail with her nephew down the Atlantic coast of Florida, around into the Gulf of Mexico in an UN-air conditioned boat. If I could air drop an air conditioner and generator to her, I would be able to write my own ticket for the rest of my natural life!
Hope this helps
Eric

[BandB]

Originally Posted by ranger42c

Hmmm.....




I've tented in the snow before, slept with no heat then... but now I have trouble sleeping when I'm shivering...



-Chris

Wifey B: Can't be shivering. Have to be a degree or two above shiver.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by StuM

*I know that the US "acclimate" is the most common usage these days, but it still sounds wrong to me

"Acclimate" came first.
Being a confused Canadian, I use both interchangeably.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Lodesman

"Acclimate" came first.
Being a confused Canadian, I use both interchangeably.

But it's only since about 1970 that it has overtaken acclimatize in US English

https://books.google.com/ngrams/grap...limate%3B%2Cc0

and it's never been the more common in British English:

https://books.google.com/ngrams/grap...limate%3B%2Cc0

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by StuM

But it's only since about 1970 that it has overtaken acclimatize in US English

https://books.google.com/ngrams/grap...limate%3B%2Cc0

and it's never been the more common in British English:

https://books.google.com/ngrams/grap...limate%3B%2Cc0

According to the data you presented, acclimate was more popular on both sides of the pond before mid to late 19th century.