Great message Tom. We recently sold our boat of 21 years. We logged many thousands of miles on the old girl and it was a very simple boat, no refrigeration, no shore power, minimal power to run cabin lighting, basic electronics, etc. My niece and nephew now have her and they will race and cruise her now. Our new to us boat has freezer/fridge, shore power, solar, Lifpo4 battery bank, auto helm, propane stove with oven, even a windlass! After many decades of sailing I suppose my First Mate deserves some creature comforts. The good news is I am able to repair any of these systems so I guess I will join the club of cruising to new locations to repair our boat in a new location! 😂😂😂😂😂 Anyway...cheers Tom and Thankyou for doing what you do! Mike and Ally 🇨🇦 S/V Bears Mistress II
I'm 80 and now have a simple boat. 36ft, tiller steered, no anchor windlass ( good for my back! ), no electronics just a gps with alligator clips, no frig which I don't mind because I gave up alcohol, rowboat dinghy, no sound system, leave it anchored so no fees, but has really overkill anchor and chain. It does have a teak toerail which I keep varnished, and the tiller too.The dodger blew off in Bass Strait last year which makes the boat look better and it's much easier to slide the hatch open and see forward without going in the cockpit and taking out the washboards, who knew?? I love the simplicity of this boat.
R134a is the normal refrigerant used in vehicle air conditioning systems. Maybe seek out a mobile a/c recharge technician if you have the problem again. Best wishes Tom. Love your content always.
'They won't let you do it yourself. You have to have it done by a professional. Sign all the forms and all that. Because of the environmental effects of the gas and all that. Well, make of that what you will." C'mon Tom! People follow you because you're a legend and can turn a phrase (and because you -- along with Christian and Patrick -- give us yachty videos that aren't giggle-vision). I little environmental responsiibility wouldn't hurt.
Ah the creature comforts. Love em and hate em. I, like most of us sailors, try to do all my own work, but I've lived and run my own business for 34 years by an old saying, "Hire to your weaknesses". It always pays off. Thanks Tom!
Here in the States, we can buy R134a in 12oz. Cans at any auto parts store…the gauges and fittings from discount store “Harbor Freight” and how to do it from TH-cam… Glad you got professional help Tom… Cheers and Thank YOU for sharing your wonderful life with us.
Greetings from the States, Tom. great stuff as always. Especially appreciated the vid on reefing with a boom furler. very helpful. an old brit toast for ya: the wind that blows, the ship that goes, and the lass that loves a sailor!
so true Tom. Independence is a wonder but oh the price. I paid it happily in my 20's - ignorant of discomfort. even begrudgingly in my 30's but 40's with 4 young children - no thanks. Now in my 50's I have no time for it. I've gone a lot further than you down this path of comfort and a lot earlier - Im a happy trawler yacht owner!
Hello again Tom. My yacht had a temperamental fridge that would leak so, like you, I thought I'd fix it myself. The fittings are universal and the vacuum machine quite simple to operate. Think it had a blue hose and a red one? I managed to buy a big bottle of gas from a Moroccan air conditioning outfit who where more than happy to oblige! Never looked back!
R134a is a standard refrigerant but it is tricky to buy any refrigerant in the EU if you’re not a commercial operator due to eco laws. You would have been better calling a commercial chandler and buying it as a commercial company.
You are right Tom. Keep it simple. We have our traditional Colin Archer and during the last two years we have replaced all spars and the standing rigging, and most of the running rigging. And what is the thing that have consumed most hours of work? The Engine! The engine that we ran for a total of 31 hours on a 2 month trip last year. I want to take it out but my girlfriend (wisely) dont allow it. Ps. I remeber when you visited us at Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter with "Western Man" i belive 15 years ago or more
Tom, you are so right in your conclusions. And I know for sure as I just some weeks ago changed the leather (!!!) air bilge in our 1974 Mercedes OM636 diesel fuel pump. It took many phone calls, kilometers driving and stress, but the end result was nothing less than fantastic. Cheers & enjoy the cold G&T!
Situations like this, its easy to understand why Plukky and Holly didn't or don't have fridges/freezers. In Oz, some folks use Hychill as you can get it over the counter, but its a flammable gas. Not ideal for a boat!
It is highly illegal to work with refrigerant gasses with out certification, at least in the Netherlands where I live. You might be able to get some R134 but never with a camera nearby :-) The good old Electrolux D4202 absorption fridge will never break down but draws 120 watts all the time. I replaced it with a Severin 8872 that fits in the same space. Runs on 230V AC via the inverter but draws on average 15 watts and 50 watts when running. It is working in all sea states for over 3 years now, and only 120 Euro to replace.
I'm curious to find out how come you are driving a right hand drive car in Germany when you are on a boat! Have you got a bigger boat and can load an Audi on to it? At least you were on the correct side of the road.
RHD Volvo V90 is the best way of joining my boat which I keep in Denmark. Great fun blasting up the autobahn at a proper speed! Then it’s 4 months on board.
Ah the good old days split and soured milk in tea, I got used to that as a very young boy, my old man refused to chuck milk out, a hang over from the war probably, I rapidly got to the stage where it didn't bother me, even today I happily drink tea with sour milk, in fact I quite like it !!!!! We used to keep long life in the bilge, just about cool enough for a day or two in mid summer.Unless you are a refrigeration engineer it really is not worth mucking around with broken units and many older fridges are almost impossible to fix for a multitude of reasons. Small refridgerators of the type you find in caravans and boats are the worst you replace one part only to find the next part along has now crapped out on you.A lesson I have learned from bitter experience. In fact many engineers hold their hands up and refuse to touch them, so you were lucky, what you usually get is " not worth the effort mate buy a new one" truth is they are usually right. Ah yes the good old days when you sank the beer twenty feet below in a net on a line to cool off, so much simpler.
You ought to do a piece on 3D Printing and the technological advances that allow us to make affordable spares to replace obsolete parts on older boats.
Any car aircon mechanic can fix this. I had them put in a whole new system. First mechanic I found who does car air conditioning systems was able to do it 🤷♂️
There is no point adding refrigerant gas to a system that has a leak. Even if a professional does that it is technically illegal. If the system has lost its charge completely then you have another job and that is to pull and hold a vacuum on the system for a specified time (get rid of moisture) - adding gas is the easy bit. So did your professional find the leak?
Just to make myself minimally useful, R134a is a pretty standard HFC refrigerant, so you could think of sourcing it outside the marine community, e.g. heat pump suppliers. I still don't see any reason for it (or any cryogen) to be available to the general public though.
I remember the ozone holes and I'm glad we are more careful now in Europe. If you let thr public access the gas a lot of them are going to treat a leak like they treat an electric short and just fill it up, just like they just change a fuse. However, if I didn't have a car mechanic buddy I would not have A/C in my cars. Because it is expensive to have it checked out and fixed and it is ample opportunity for conmen. Customers must insist they show them the leak with UV indicator oil addition. You can buy indicator oil and a bit of gas as a kit in the US and perhaps they should be made available in Europe as well, at a price that prevents them being used as a top-off. It should help get things diagnosed and fixed instead of customers asking to refill things with small leaks
That’s the same gas as automotive air conditioning, car dealerships have heaps, they may not have sold it to you though. 134a is not nearly as problematic as the R12 it was formulated to replace. Gauges, vacuum pump and can fittings is all that needed really.
Great message Tom. We recently sold our boat of 21 years. We logged many thousands of miles on the old girl and it was a very simple boat, no refrigeration, no shore power, minimal power to run cabin lighting, basic electronics, etc.
My niece and nephew now have her and they will race and cruise her now. Our new to us boat has freezer/fridge, shore power, solar, Lifpo4 battery bank, auto helm, propane stove with oven, even a windlass! After many decades of sailing I suppose my First Mate deserves some creature comforts. The good news is I am able to repair any of these systems so I guess I will join the club of cruising to new locations to repair our boat in a new location! 😂😂😂😂😂
Anyway...cheers Tom and Thankyou for doing what you do!
Mike and Ally 🇨🇦
S/V Bears Mistress II
I'm 80 and now have a simple boat. 36ft, tiller steered, no anchor windlass ( good for my back! ), no electronics just a gps with alligator clips, no frig which I don't mind because I gave up alcohol, rowboat dinghy, no sound system, leave it anchored so no fees, but has really overkill anchor and chain.
It does have a teak toerail which I keep varnished, and the tiller too.The dodger blew off in Bass Strait last year which makes the boat look better and it's much easier to slide the hatch open and see forward without going in the cockpit and taking out the washboards, who knew?? I love the simplicity of this boat.
You’re an inspiration!
R134a is the normal refrigerant used in vehicle air conditioning systems. Maybe seek out a mobile a/c recharge technician if you have the problem again. Best wishes Tom. Love your content always.
'They won't let you do it yourself. You have to have it done by a professional. Sign all the forms and all that. Because of the environmental effects of the gas and all that. Well, make of that what you will." C'mon Tom! People follow you because you're a legend and can turn a phrase (and because you -- along with Christian and Patrick -- give us yachty videos that aren't giggle-vision). I little environmental responsiibility wouldn't hurt.
Absolutely wonderful Tom. Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom.
Ah the creature comforts. Love em and hate em. I, like most of us sailors, try to do all my own work, but I've lived and run my own business for 34 years by an old saying, "Hire to your weaknesses". It always pays off. Thanks Tom!
Very big fan of Cool Blue. I would have suggested that you ring them up. They actually will answer the phone if you call at a half way decent hour.
It’s a pleasure to hear you Tom. We all go away temporarily sailing with you when watching your videos. Thank you
Here in the States, we can buy R134a in 12oz. Cans at any auto parts store…the gauges and fittings from discount store “Harbor Freight” and how to do it from TH-cam… Glad you got professional help Tom…
Cheers and Thank YOU for sharing your wonderful life with us.
I always look forward to your videos, Tom. Thanks for keeping us informed and entertained.
Greetings from the States, Tom. great stuff as always. Especially appreciated the vid on reefing with a boom furler. very helpful.
an old brit toast for ya: the wind that blows, the ship that goes, and the lass that loves a sailor!
so true Tom. Independence is a wonder but oh the price. I paid it happily in my 20's - ignorant of discomfort. even begrudgingly in my 30's but 40's with 4 young children - no thanks. Now in my 50's I have no time for it. I've gone a lot further than you down this path of comfort and a lot earlier - Im a happy trawler yacht owner!
Thank you, sir. We love to hear from you.
R134a is available on ebay UK.
Absolutely, Tom. Keep it simple!
Time flies, enjoy it!
Hello again Tom. My yacht had a temperamental fridge that would leak so, like you, I thought I'd fix it myself. The fittings are universal and the vacuum machine quite simple to operate. Think it had a blue hose and a red one? I managed to buy a big bottle of gas from a Moroccan air conditioning outfit who where more than happy to oblige!
Never looked back!
R134a is a standard refrigerant but it is tricky to buy any refrigerant in the EU if you’re not a commercial operator due to eco laws.
You would have been better calling a commercial chandler and buying it as a commercial company.
You are right Tom. Keep it simple. We have our traditional Colin Archer and during the last two years we have replaced all spars and the standing rigging, and most of the running rigging. And what is the thing that have consumed most hours of work? The Engine! The engine that we ran for a total of 31 hours on a 2 month trip last year. I want to take it out but my girlfriend (wisely) dont allow it.
Ps. I remeber when you visited us at Hardanger Fartøyvernsenter with "Western Man" i belive 15 years ago or more
Grand to hear from the Hardanger. I remember it well 😎🇬🇧🇳🇴
Tom, you can get 134 in UK, halfords sell it for £72 but autodoc sell for £ 12.51 + £8.45 delivery
Excellent point about tradeoffs and the endless hunt for parts.
well said Tom!
Another great video Tom.
Enjoyed!
Tom, you are so right in your conclusions. And I know for sure as I just some weeks ago changed the leather (!!!) air bilge in our 1974 Mercedes OM636 diesel fuel pump. It took many phone calls, kilometers driving and stress, but the end result was nothing less than fantastic.
Cheers & enjoy the cold G&T!
so true
Situations like this, its easy to understand why Plukky and Holly didn't or don't have fridges/freezers.
In Oz, some folks use Hychill as you can get it over the counter, but its a flammable gas. Not ideal for a boat!
Always quality
Great video!!
It is highly illegal to work with refrigerant gasses with out certification, at least in the Netherlands where I live. You might be able to get some R134 but never with a camera nearby :-) The good old Electrolux D4202 absorption fridge will never break down but draws 120 watts all the time. I replaced it with a Severin 8872 that fits in the same space. Runs on 230V AC via the inverter but draws on average 15 watts and 50 watts when running. It is working in all sea states for over 3 years now, and only 120 Euro to replace.
The modern world is one big 'catch 22' .We seem to be permanently busy with being 'efficient' ...
Propane works.
I'm curious to find out how come you are driving a right hand drive car in Germany when you are on a boat! Have you got a bigger boat and can load an Audi on to it?
At least you were on the correct side of the road.
RHD Volvo V90 is the best way of joining my boat which I keep in Denmark. Great fun blasting up the autobahn at a proper speed! Then it’s 4 months on board.
The more you've got the more you've got to go wrong.
Ah the good old days split and soured milk in tea, I got used to that as a very young boy, my old man refused to chuck milk out, a hang over from the war probably, I rapidly got to the stage where it didn't bother me, even today I happily drink tea with sour milk, in fact I quite like it !!!!! We used to keep long life in the bilge, just about cool enough for a day or two in mid summer.Unless you are a refrigeration engineer it really is not worth mucking around with broken units and many older fridges are almost impossible to fix for a multitude of reasons. Small refridgerators of the type you find in caravans and boats are the worst you replace one part only to find the next part along has now crapped out on you.A lesson I have learned from bitter experience. In fact many engineers hold their hands up and refuse to touch them, so you were lucky, what you usually get is " not worth the effort mate buy a new one" truth is they are usually right. Ah yes the good old days when you sank the beer twenty feet below in a net on a line to cool off, so much simpler.
You ought to do a piece on 3D Printing and the technological advances that allow us to make affordable spares to replace obsolete parts on older boats.
You can get that gas from anyone who does car aircon refills or renewables engineers who carry it to do regases.
👍!!!
Any car aircon mechanic can fix this. I had them put in a whole new system. First mechanic I found who does car air conditioning systems was able to do it 🤷♂️
There is no point adding refrigerant gas to a system that has a leak. Even if a professional does that it is technically illegal. If the system has lost its charge completely then you have another job and that is to pull and hold a vacuum on the system for a specified time (get rid of moisture) - adding gas is the easy bit.
So did your professional find the leak?
We found it, purged the system. fixed the leak and refilled. No point in half doing a job eh!
@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Good to hear Tom - glad it is all sorted.👍 Thanks for replying.⛵️
It’s the same gas you have in AC in cars
A cautionary tale but in your usual interesting fashion Tom - The problem can be that you don't cost your own time, I know I don't and I should!!!!
The black arts of refrigeration, purging and pressurising ! Still don’t understand 1/10 of it myself
Just to make myself minimally useful, R134a is a pretty standard HFC refrigerant, so you could think of sourcing it outside the marine community, e.g. heat pump suppliers. I still don't see any reason for it (or any cryogen) to be available to the general public though.
I’ll smuggle some R-134a to you…it’s only a one month sail across the Atlantic, right?
I remember the ozone holes and I'm glad we are more careful now in Europe. If you let thr public access the gas a lot of them are going to treat a leak like they treat an electric short and just fill it up, just like they just change a fuse.
However, if I didn't have a car mechanic buddy I would not have A/C in my cars. Because it is expensive to have it checked out and fixed and it is ample opportunity for conmen.
Customers must insist they show them the leak with UV indicator oil addition.
You can buy indicator oil and a bit of gas as a kit in the US and perhaps they should be made available in Europe as well, at a price that prevents them being used as a top-off. It should help get things diagnosed and fixed instead of customers asking to refill things with small leaks
This gas was bann3d in uk January 2025
The ban dating from Jan *2022* was for commercial-sized units larger than 40kW. Domestic units such as this are unaffected.
That’s the same gas as automotive air conditioning, car dealerships have heaps, they may not have sold it to you though. 134a is not nearly as problematic as the R12 it was formulated to replace. Gauges, vacuum pump and can fittings is all that needed really.