Ugh. It’s summer and it’s hot. We’re at anchor or on a mooring, so A/C isn’t an option. We use wind scoops and a bunch of Caframo fans (we use the 2-speed cageless ones and have had good luck with them lasting; friends with other models report some problems).
But frankly, we could use more air when working in places where we don’t have — and don’t want to permanently mount — fans. On really hot, windless days, we could use even more fan power in the saloon. And in the cockpit.
Answer: the Endless Breeze 12-volt box fan (Amazon). (Update September 2024: If you can’t find the Endless Breeze fan on Amazon, look for it at Camper Parts World. Or Amazon has a 12-volt fan called the Boundless Breeze with only slightly lower ratings. The details of the post match the Boundless Breeze.)
It’s a portable box fan with 12-inch blades and a cigarette-lighter plug. The fan has three speeds, with low using 1.2 amps and high 2.6; low usually provides plenty of breeze.
I bought a 12v and USB “power strip” and also a 12-foot 12v extension cord so that I can share an outlet between my laptop and the fan, as well as move the fan pretty much anywhere on the boat . . . in the cockpit (either for sitting there or working on the engine, particularly oil changes), in our aft cabins while sorting and organizing items in the storage areas there, and even in the sail locker when we were doing some fiberglassing.
Admittedly, when friends told us about these and I first looked at them, I was more than a little shocked at the price (close to $80). I did some investigating of alternatives. There are some 12v fans available for about half the price, I found, but all the ones I looked at were smaller and didn’t move nearly as much air for the power used.
I knew that a bunch of our friends had bought the Endless Breeze fan and been very happy, but I also saw a mix of “great” and “awful” reviews on Amazon. I also saw that it had a 2-year warranty.
I wondered if I was making a mistake, but I took a deep breath and bought it. I’m glad I did. We have not had any problems with ours and have had it over six months (and don’t specially store it or anything).
Yes, it does take some storage space (the “box” is about 13″ x 13″, with the feet and handle a little larger), but it’s pretty miserly on power used. And when working in places that aren’t otherwise ventilated, it’s a godsend.
- Endless Breeze 12-volt box fan (Amazon) or Camper Parts World
- 12-foot 12v cigarette lighter extension cord
- Car charger adapter – 3 cigarette lighter plugs and 2 USB plugs (Update: the one I bought is no longer available but this is similar.)
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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LaDonna Thomas says
I must say having a fan to move around with me while doing projects aboard made a HUGE difference in my comfort level when I lived on Beagle Knot. I definitely would not recommend the model I used as the electrical cord quit working shortly after purchase and it went through batteries at a amazing pace. But since I lived in the tropics and have my own “internal heater” it was a sanity saver for me! This one looks great
Bill Jackson says
It’s also lasted 4 years now. Better than any Camframo we have.
The Boat Galley says
We’re using a mix. The big one isn’t practical to put air over the bed — just no place to mount it!
Charles Badoian says
Love running mine full bore, with the solar panels feeding them all the juice they need. Also really good when used to exhaust. Good trick for mosquitos is to put them in a hatch as an exhaust, you will find that all the mosquitos get attracted to the fan, but can’t get past the flow.
The Boat Galley says
Oooooh.
The Boat Galley says
Good use of words.
Charles Badoian says
Mosquito guillotine, 🙂
Dolores M. Ik'Nal says
I prefer them to get caught in the fan than to bite me… allergy to mosquito bite is not fun 🙁
Renee Moore Owen says
Patty Rocha
David Stennett says
What does it draw?..amperage?
Charles Badoian says
Lots on high like 4.3 amps. The lithiums just laugh it off.
David Stennett says
Oh…of course..
Charles Badoian says
DJ is also a big advocate of them, and taught me the mosquito trick.
The Boat Galley says
Actually, 2.6 on high; 1.2 on low. I checked the specs for the article and also checked on our battery monitor. They agreed!
David Stennett says
Thanks..pretty sure I’m gonna want one..
Laurie Mcfarland-Roth says
Tie everything down
Linda Stevenson says
We hang a table-top fan in the forward hatch over the v-berth with the inverter on if the wind scoop isn’t enough. Heaven!
Ted Broom says
We bought a small box fan at wally world for $15 . Battery and plug in. Noticed the output of the 110v plug-in was 12vdc. Cut off the plug , put on a cig. lighter plug and it works great. If it dies in a year, I’m still ahead of the game. Ted.
Theresa Halm says
Love ours. Really puts out a decent flow. Got the long extension cord and can put it anywhere. Lots cheaper than the Camfano fans if you want portability
Shawna says
Hi Carolyn – do have a link to the “power strip” you used?
Carolyn Shearlock says
It’s the last link in the post: https://amzn.to/3yIQd6S
Works great! 3 cigarette lighter sockets and 2 USB.
Anonymous says
Scott Smith ♥️
Anonymous says
This is the best fan! I didn’t keep the box and we find it stows pretty easily.
Anonymous says
This fan is the best! It helped me survive the crazy heat last summer. So far, I’ve kept the box, but it would stow pretty easily without it.
Anonymous says
Last time i saw this i ordered mine, used it all ladt summer in my truck,otr driver, never had to run the AC
Anonymous says
Nicholas Brandon