To save electricity, you want to find the best fans for living on a boat in hot weather. They make a real difference without stressing your battery bank. But which one will give you the most air movement for the fewest amps? Let me tell you about our experience on two different boats.
Summary
If you’re cruising in the tropics, you’ll want to know the best fans for living on a boat in hot weather. And I’ve found a great one. My choice is the Caframo, 12-volt, cage-free fan. It moves the most air using the fewest amps.
This fan offers three mounting options, giving you maximum flexibility. We found that it lasted about five years with nearly continuous use in a very hot climate. Replacement parts are affordable and easy to find. It’s worth keeping a few extra blades onboard, just in case.
We had over a half dozen fans aboard each of our previous boats, some hard-wired and others portable. They were vastly superior to Caframo’s other model with blade guards, a lower life expectancy, and a higher cost. And why would you want to pay more to get less?
Links:
Caframo’s Two Speed Compact 12v fan (Amazon)
Caframo Two Speed Compact 12v fan (West Marine)
Caframo Two Speed Compact 12v fans, replacement blades and clip (Downwind Marine)
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Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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