Mar 10, 2025
Good fans are a necessity when you're cruising in a hot climate. But which one will give you the most air movement for the fewest amps?
Summary
If you're cruising in the tropics, you'll want to know the best fans for living on a boat in hot weather. 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.
Links (Amazon links are affiliate links, meaning that The Boat Galley Podcast earns from qualifying purchases; some other links may be affiliate links):
Caframo Two Speed Compact 12v fan (Amazon) - https://amzn.to/3FlRubP
Caframo Two Speed Compact 12v fan (West Marine) - https://fave.co/3eakVfz
Caframo Two Speed Compact 12v fans, replacement blades and clip (Downwind Marine) - https://store.sandiegomarine.com/products/caframo--ultimate--2-speed-fans-15005.html
The Basics of Living on a Boat Course - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/unwritten-rules
All-Access Pass for Boat Galley Courses - https://products.theboatgalley.com/products/all-access-pass
Subscribe to the Boat Galley Newsletter! - https://theboatgalley.com/newsletter-signup-2
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Music: “Slow Down” by Yvette Craig