HI All, I have 1985 catalina 30. It has one of those R2D2 free standing air conditoners. Anyone tried any other non-megabucks approaches? The present one doesn't seem very efficient. Of course it's bulky. It is of course important for peace in the valley with wife aboard. Thanks . Tom
catalina 30 air conditioning
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air conditioning
The cheapest option is to install a 5000 btu window unit and install it left of the cooler. These units cost about $100 and will fit in this space. This only works at the slip but does a good job of cooling down the interior. The exhaust blows into the "dumpster" and I have a grate that covers the hatch opening and a small cooling fan blows fresh air on the unit to increase efficiency.Total cost about $175 for everything!
The cheapest option is to install a 5000 btu window unit and install it left of the cooler. These units cost about $100 and will fit in this space. This only works at the slip but does a good job of cooling down the interior. The exhaust blows into the "dumpster" and I have a grate that covers the hatch opening and a small cooling fan blows fresh air on the unit to increase efficiency.Total cost about $175 for everything!
Living in the south (Lake Lanier, GA) I have been struggling with the AC issue for years. We used a self standing Heier 9,000 Btu unit with the large exhaust hose for a season or two only to find that once the sun came up and beat down on the deck it was unbearable down below. It was just OK for the evening.
My neighbor has a 16,000 BTU Marine AC unit on his 30 and loves it! He claims its sufficient enough to maintain cool temperatures on the hottest of days below. The big issue is whether or not a $3,000+ investment is worth it. That is what we are struggling with. We have priced all kinds of units with the installation kits (some are as much as the comporesor units themselves), plus the cost of labor if the installation becomes a bit too much to handle. Overall a marine grade AC unit is not cheap!
I do figure that on resale the appeal of an marine AC unit in hotter climates can add much value and I might be able to recoupe my costs.
Opinions on this?
Bob
'88 Mark II
My neighbor has a 16,000 BTU Marine AC unit on his 30 and loves it! He claims its sufficient enough to maintain cool temperatures on the hottest of days below. The big issue is whether or not a $3,000+ investment is worth it. That is what we are struggling with. We have priced all kinds of units with the installation kits (some are as much as the comporesor units themselves), plus the cost of labor if the installation becomes a bit too much to handle. Overall a marine grade AC unit is not cheap!
I do figure that on resale the appeal of an marine AC unit in hotter climates can add much value and I might be able to recoupe my costs.
Opinions on this?
Bob
'88 Mark II
re: air conditioning
Thank you all for your replays. I can see that this is not a simple fix. I think I will stick with R2D2 for this season, although it is not adequate. thanks again. Tom
Thank you all for your replays. I can see that this is not a simple fix. I think I will stick with R2D2 for this season, although it is not adequate. thanks again. Tom
Cat 30 here... a 5k btu window unit sits on the deck. air flow in goes thru the hatch behind the mast. Return goes out thru the head hatch... I manufactured boxes that fit on the front of the unit out of cardboard... and connected to the hatch using dryer vent.
Now, it is marginal in that it lowers the temp inside about 10 degrees from outside at peak heat time. A canvas cover over the hatch keeps air in during the day. I could probably get a couple more degrees if I insulated the air line... but a boom tent and another shade tent forward helps get a few more degrees out of it. a couple fans help as well.
In retrospect I should have gone with 8k btu minimum
$150 total investment. Have to tear it all down to go out though...
Now, it is marginal in that it lowers the temp inside about 10 degrees from outside at peak heat time. A canvas cover over the hatch keeps air in during the day. I could probably get a couple more degrees if I insulated the air line... but a boom tent and another shade tent forward helps get a few more degrees out of it. a couple fans help as well.
In retrospect I should have gone with 8k btu minimum
$150 total investment. Have to tear it all down to go out though...
I installed a 9000btu self contained webasto AC unit myself in the hanging locker. Total cost was about $800.
It does an excellent job on all but the hottest days, but even then it's not bad.. Stays in the 80's on those 100° days we've had in the northeast...
- Jul 21, 2013
- 333
I have installed a 5K BTU window unit in my C27. It fits in a gasketed hole in a bulkhead between the cabin and the port lazarette. The lazz hatch remains open right now for cooling, but I plan to add an active air exchange system to allow the laz hatch to stay closed. I had concerns about condensation drip, and was ready to plumb a line to a shower sump that is just below it, but so far it is apparent that the condensation is being carried out as vapor on the hot side.
The 5K unit works pretty good for me so far, working inside the boat inside a non-insulated workshop. I think having more BTU will be better for me though.
The biggest restriction I have is height. That was what drove the purchase of the specific unit I used. After finding my 5K unit, ($99.00 at WalMart) I found a better unit from LG, specifically the LG LW8012ER. It is an 8K BTU window mount AC, so it would instal similar to what I have currently. All I would need to do would be to modify the dimensions of the hole in the bulkhead somewhat.
I believe based on my experience so far with the 5K unit that the 8K unit would chill down the whole boat quite nicely so I have gone ahead and ordered the 8K unit today. It is available a Walmart.com for $218.00
The 5K unit works pretty good for me so far, working inside the boat inside a non-insulated workshop. I think having more BTU will be better for me though.
The biggest restriction I have is height. That was what drove the purchase of the specific unit I used. After finding my 5K unit, ($99.00 at WalMart) I found a better unit from LG, specifically the LG LW8012ER. It is an 8K BTU window mount AC, so it would instal similar to what I have currently. All I would need to do would be to modify the dimensions of the hole in the bulkhead somewhat.
I believe based on my experience so far with the 5K unit that the 8K unit would chill down the whole boat quite nicely so I have gone ahead and ordered the 8K unit today. It is available a Walmart.com for $218.00
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My issue is not the temperature but humidity. We stay very cool here except for 2-3 weeks in the high 80s, but I would like a real dehumidifier that would route condensation to the bilge. This conversation just got me thinking....
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