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Living aboard in Pensacola, FL, we run our air conditioning unit most of
each year on our Cal Cruising 46 motor sailer. We replaced our original Marine
Air unit in 2002 when the circuit board failed after only four years use and a
replacement board was half the price of a 16,500 BTU Mermaid unit. The
Mermaid has been faultless only problems being raw water pumps and keeping the
strainer clean.
Our original Marine Air had a March pump, which failed in a few months. I
replaced it with a Cal-June pump which failed in 11 months, replaced on warranty
by West Marine. The Cal-June pumps never lasted to the end of their
warranty, however, replacing them on our boat is a difficult job as I had installed
the pump and unit under our pilot house. When I got the new Mermaid unit, it
came with a Cal-June pump which failed in a few weeks. Mermaid replaced it
promptly with a small Teel pump. The first Teel pump lasted three years. A
replacement Teel pump costs only $48 at W. W. Grainger. After several discussions
with Cal-June reps and my experience with their pumps, I will continue to use
the $100 less expensive Teel pump.
In our area, Bayou Chico, the water temp is now 90 degrees, plus it is
usually about two-thirds fresh water, so we have a problem with keeping our
strainer clean. I have a monthly strainer cleaning session, plus I place 3 or 4
swimming pool type chlorine pellets in the strainer. These dissolve slowly and
seem to be keeping my raw water system clean. I just started this routine this
summer, so time will tell. I believe the high concentration of chlorine may
damage some of the components of the system. When the unit fails I will
replace it with another Mermaid.
I have no interest in either Mermaid or Teel, just a happy customer. I have
been a happy customer of Depco for several years as I rebuild Atomic Fours
which use Sherwood pumps.
Tom Vandiver, Cal Cruising 46, "Satori", owner since 1982, liveaboard/part
time cruiser since 1988
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