323 air conditioning

[wrbeglin]

Considering adding A/C to my 323. I would prefer to have the unit in the main cabin vs. in the cockpit locker over the hot water heater where the factory installed units are located. I know the locker space is tight under the side berths. I anyone has installed one in the cabin, I'd like anyone's thoughts on this. Seems odd to think of A/C since it's about 5 degrees outside right now!
Thanks,
Bill

 

[Jackdaw]

We put a 5K unit under the sinks on our first 367. The boat is a bit bigger but I bet the galley is not. This unit replaces the trash bin area and is a tight fit but every thing works out. It draws air from the grill amidships and spits cold forward. No ducting. Downside is that you have to leave doors open to cool the whole boat, upside is an easy install with no space wasted on ducting, and the boat cools off fast.

 

[wrbeglin]

We put a 5K unit under the sinks on our first 367. The boat is a bit bigger but I bet the galley is not. This unit replaces the trash bin area and is a tight fit but every thing works out. It draws air from the grill amidships and spits cold forward. No ducting. Downside is that you have to leave doors open to cool the whole boat, upside is an easy install with no space wasted on ducting, and the boat cools off fast.

Thanks. From the picture, I would agree the space under the sink is likely the same. You just put a 5k unit in, that surprises me a bit as I believe the factory unit for my 323 is 12k BTU. I do think that's a great location though and will definitely consider it

 

[joker460]

I thought the refrig. compressor is located under the sink in a 323 as shown in the pic.

If there is room, you might be able to put it under the other compressor.

You could also put it under the seats, that's where it's located in the 352.

 

[reworb]

I have a 311 a little bit smaller boat than the 323. I think the galley area is about the same on both boats. I have a 16k unit mounted under the sink it is ducted to all three cabins. It's a tight fit but it it fits.

 

[Jackdaw]

Thanks. From the picture, I would agree the space under the sink is likely the same. You just put a 5k unit in, that surprises me a bit as I believe the factory unit for my 323 is 12k BTU. I do think that's a great location though and will definitely consider it

Sorry, I dropped the '1' from '15'!

 

[BigEasy]

I chartered a Ben 343 several times. The "self contained" 12k btu unit was placed under a port setee, with ducts into the main salon, forward & aft berths. I would definitely avoid a single discharge configuration. I had a Hunter 33.5 that had a self contained unit with single discharge in the main salon only. The berth areas were always too hot in summer & too cold in winter. Might want to investigate why Ben installed in the location that they did----probably the optimal location for efficiency. Call Ben or cruisair for professional advice. Many yards will install in a location that is easy for them; not necessarily the optimal area. That's what happened to me.
My current boat, Ben 343, has a cruisair split system (compressor & 2 air handlers)that was installed by a marine air conditioning firm by the previous owner. Nice set up; however, definitely overdone. Will no doubt be expensive to repair in future.

 

[Ron20324]

Bill, Not sure how big your AC unit is, but when I was trying to improve storage on my 323 I took over the footwell of the nav station. The shelf in the aft cabin lid provided a piece of wood matching the wood in the salon. I replaced the lid with plywood stained and varnished. I also cut an access hole in it since there is alot of storage space under there, around the fuel tank.

 

[wrbeglin]

That is a great idea as I've always thought that open space under the Nav station was wasted. Would also make a great storage space for the lost space under the sink.
Thanks,
Bill

 

[wrbeglin]

Thanks for the input. would it be possible to send me a photo or any details? I'm a big believer in not re-inventing the wheel.
Regards,
Bill Beglin
wrbeglin@aol.com