WTH is going on at oceanbreeze?

[ageless]

Has anyone interacted with the company lately? I've been trying for a month to try to get a system developed and built and it has been an ABSOLUTE chit show. I can't understand half of the emails due to the language barrier, quotes for self-contained vs split vs chiller seem too difficult to understand, the split unit quote had 5 fan coils with 2 evap units, the voltage's didn't match up, unit BTU's were wrong, refrigerant wrong. I finally asked them to send someone to my vessel to discuss and compare the 3 different types and what would work best for us, I was leaning toward a chiller unit. Two poor english speaking gentleman show up, pull information from my units and essentially recommend going back to split units because "installation would be easier". I can appreciate that but that wasn't the only deciding factor and attempts to discuss with them proved futile. To top everything off after all this the new quote for the spilt units looks IDENTICAL to the first quote that had mismatched information throughout.

What about flagship? Any recent interactions?

 

[Pascal]

Ocean breeze usually had good reputation. I only called them once, years ago, quick answers. The language issue is odd since they are north of the border aka the Miami dade county line . If it s bad before purchase, forget it

I got my chiller system from flagship 4 years ago. I ordered a pump and additional air handler for the chiller system on the the 116 i run a few months ago. Great service. I usually talk to Steve Brigham over there. Very helpful, he s a boater

 

[dottieshusband]

I got my second Ocean Breeze/Cruisair replacement unit a few months ago. They build to order and quoted 6 weeks, but it only took 3. English is not their first language, but we worked it out. Like you, the email quote was confusing and included replacing the air handlers, but we worked it out...$2,500 for a 16k unit was significantly less than Cruisair and it appears to be better quality. I wouldn't give up on them, they're pretty nice folks.

 

[ian w]

I bought an OceanBreeze compressor unit for my 53
The installer supplied by the company did not know how to hook it up to the original Cruisair 3 knob controls
Don’t know if this should be possible or not
It cools brilliantly

 

[ageless]

Ocean breeze usually had good reputation. I only called them once, years ago, quick answers. The language issue is odd since they are north of the border aka the Miami dade county line . If it s bad before purchase, forget it

I got my chiller system from flagship 4 years ago. I ordered a pump and additional air handler for the chiller system on the the 116 i run a few months ago. Great service. I usually talk to Steve Brigham over there. Very helpful, he s a boater

Reading your posts about how happy you have been with your chiller is why I am pushing to go that direction. I reached out to flagship yesterday, Steve referred me to Ron with TEA technical, a marine HVAC company here in Pompano. Ron arrived at my residence an hour later, took some measurements, called Steve who in turn called me explaining what Ron recommended. Recommending (2) 36,000 BTU chillers which to me seems waaaaaaay excessive being that present split systems are 50ish BTU's and cooled fairly well. Steve sounded like he was quite familiar with Hatteras hulls and their need so I'm hoping the quote comes in comparable to the ocean breeze, although I really haven't gotten a legit quote from them.

 

[Pascal]

I have two 36k chillers with 5 AH. From October thru may I usually run just one chiller. In summer both are needed especially during the day. Steve was very helpful with advice on setup. I did the install myself

 

[ageless]

I got my second Ocean Breeze/Cruisair replacement unit a few months ago. They build to order and quoted 6 weeks, but it only took 3. English is not their first language, but we worked it out. Like you, the email quote was confusing and included replacing the air handlers, but we worked it out...$2,500 for a 16k unit was significantly less than Cruisair and it appears to be better quality. I wouldn't give up on them, they're pretty nice folks.

I've tried really hard to be patient with them, they have too many hands involved in just the quoting process, I keep getting these emails from Alex, who is quick to voice that he is accounting, not sales or install and can only provide price quotes when he gets information from the installers. One thing that has REALLY set me off is EVERY email he sends starts off with "please send payment of _____ in order to start your order." I'm typically not triggered by stuff like this but when you get 5 emails that all emphasize "sending payment" yet you can't get my system quoted correctly. The first wrong quote was for $20,000 wanting $4000 down, somehow we ended up at another wrong quote for $14,000 wanting $8000 to get started. I even asked my girlfriend to communicate with them to see if she had any better luck, NOPE!!

 

[edward]

Do you have less problems with condensation when you have a chiller system ?

 

[Pascal]

No, same amount of condensation in the pans. What you get is reliability since if one chiller craps out you can run the whole boat on the other one although not as cold during the day. And because you don’t have the long refrigerant lines, you have less risk of a leak

 

[q240z]

What about flagship? Any recent interactions?

I was very pleased with Flagship. Made in the USA, reasonably priced, no proprietary parts, and Steve Brigham (sab@flagshipmarine.com) speaks perfect 'merican.

Tell him Quentin, the guy with the Chris Craft Roamer 46, sent you.

OOPS! I see you've already been in contact with him. If you chat again, tell him I said hi!

 

[rustybucket]

Nothing to add about the company but if I were redoing my hvac I would def go the 2 chiller route. Yeah, pulling the old freon lines out and running the coolant lines will be a pita, but I really think it will be worth it for long-term reliability and maintenance of the system.
The long runs of refrigeration lines in a marine environment full of vibrations and saltwater/air is just a recipe for problems imo. But at the time that's all they had really, so I don't blame any mfg for installing those types of systems, but given the current chiller technology I feel it's far superior from many aspects, reliability, ease of maintenance/repair, redundancy and power consumption/efficiency.

 

[rsmith]

Joe sold the business. Don’t know anything about the new owners. Krush and I where working on a deal to buy it but we couldn’t come to terms. Joe was the main guy engineer and brain trust of the company his wife ran the books and accounting.

 

[carolinacoast]

My mechanic was a dealer too. He said the new owners were no longer making split systems. I needed a new unit and on his advice, paid the dometic tax. Was installed in 2 weeks though.
Seems odd to buy a business (not at a distressed price-since forum members tried to buy it) and shut down a line of revenue and customers immediately. Please advise if this information is incorrect.

 

[rsmith]

It wasn’t a money thing as much timing Joes wife had enough of running the business (they were both in late 70’s) they had some very large contracts with Boeing for AC equipment. I suspect that’s what the new company was after and not the marine business. Those contracts were based on a personal contact he had a Boeing one of my worries was when he was gone so would the contracts. I’m kicking myself I didn’t do the deal.

 

[ageless]

My mechanic was a dealer too. He said the new owners were no longer making split systems. I needed a new unit and on his advice, paid the dometic tax. Was installed in 2 weeks though.
Seems odd to buy a business (not at a distressed price-since forum members tried to buy it) and shut down a line of revenue and customers immediately. Please advise if this information is incorrect.

I just received a quote from them for split units, no mention of no longer manufacturing but seeing all these new comments I'm quite reluctant to use them. On the other hand, the installer Flagship referred me to doesn't seem to be anymore reliable than OB, he quoted me for (5) self-contained units when the vessel only needs 4 and everyone of the units was 30% larger (compressor) than the original units, just don't understand the reasoning. I really want to go to the chiller units but $55k is absurd.

 

[Boatsb]

Chillers require larger pile runs and perfect insulation or you will get condensation in the walls. That could cause mold and .are people sick. I work with a company here that is one of the best overall marine ac groups and he will not take on other people's mistakes or half done projects because he has too much going on already. He is a dometic dealer and always takes the time to go over the why and wherefore of his quotes. Be also seems to be on tike and budget most of the time.

I see a lot of half assed companies out there and don't even support things after the installation. They don't cary parts or do warranty service.

Beware of the bad ones.

 

[scallywag]

For what it's worth, I have quite a few Ocean Breeze units between a few boats of mine. Although I've had to change a few relays and timers over the past 7 years of owning them, support (Alex) has always been responsive and walked me through troubleshooting. No complaints.

 

[ageless]

For what it's worth, I have quite a few Ocean Breeze units between a few boats of mine. Although I've had to change a few relays and timers over the past 7 years of owning them, support (Alex) has always been responsive and walked me through troubleshooting. No complaints.

I haven't had great success with him, have caught him trying to slip some BS by me, I'm REALLY struggling to find comfort in ordering their product as my service experience has SUCKED, thus far. Then again, I'm not sure I'm having any better success with flagship. I am AMAZED at the difference in pricing we have been quoted between the 2 companies, more concerned with the major differences in the size units recommended, flagship says my salon needs (2) 36,000 self-contained, quoted me for (5) self-contained installed at the tune of $44k. UHHHH, $55k for chillers or $44k for self contained? I am certainly seeing why people don't bother with these companies and just turn to Dometic

 

[Pascal]

As I may have mentioned earlier when I bought my 53MY back in 2003, the seller had recently replaced all four original crusair condensers with 4 Ocean Breeze condenser plus a an additional 9k condenser which I installed for the old downstairs galley a couple of years later. I only had to call OB a couple or times and got excellent advice on the phone. Too bad things have changed

As to Flagship, I ve have dealt with them for almost 5 years now:
First to design and order my two 36k/5 AH chiller system. Steve was very helpful responding to every question I had about plumbing, set up etc. all components where shipped ahead of schedule, well packed in one big pallet. Every question I had was answered to quickly and accurately. Sometimes within minutes

After a couple of years one of my chillers developed a leak at one of the gauges. I pulled it and brought to them. Repaired after a few days and shipped back. I was able to meet them in person and see their facility

Then I ordered a big March pump back up for the 84 I ran. Got it in a couple days, again after a couple of e-mail exchange to check flow etc

Another instance last year was to order a 16k AH to add cooling to the skylounge of the 116 i run now. Same experience, excellent communications and shipped ahead of schedule

In addition at least two of my neighbors have ordered self contained units from them and have been very happy with them


I suspect the $55k quote came from an installer and including labor. Installing chillers while simple in theory is a time consuming affair. It took me about 8 or 10 days and in my case part of the boat had been gutted for the refit so no cabinetry to deal with. I would not be surprised if installing them on a sportfish would be a two week affair with two people. Figure 150 hours at $130 an hour.

Personally I am done with cruisair dometic. Their systems are way too complicated with expansive proprietary boards and controls. For instance their chiller system will lock you out if a HPF fault occurs more than x times. You get a nice “call for service” on the display. Only installers have the lengthy code combination you have to punch in to restart that chiller. Thankfully my guy gave me codes so I can clear it should it happen in the bahamas…

And there are many other quirks and things which are way too complex.

That said, I have to agree that it s hard to justify spending $50k on an AC refit. I would not have back then had it been that much.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Pascal, if you were refitting a smaller boat, and not going with chillers, you'd use Flagship again?
Sounds like.