Help in building cabin door w built in air
- Thread starter Starrfish
- Start date
Measure the height and width of the A/C unit. Into how many pieces are your companionway boards divided? If just two figure out if a cutout for the A/C would fit in the lower board. If it does, perfect as you will only have to fabricate the lower piece and will be able to use the top piece for closing the cabin. Get a panel of 1/2" plywood and using your current board as a template cut yourself a new one. Now draw the outline for the A/C unit cutout at the center of the board. Using a drill and a jigsaw cut out the opening. The companionway boards are slanted forward and the A/C unit will need to be slanted in the opposite direction so that it will drain condensation to the outside. This requires the need for a little wiggle room in the vertical cut. In the horizontal cut it is best if it fits in a little snug. Once you install the unit and see that everything fits and works then go ahead and remove and stain and lacquer the plywood. You could attach the unit permanently to the board or leave it loose for ease of storage. You will now have your current boards for when underway and a new board (s) for when you want to install the A/C.
I have photos of a companionway AC installation I did in my former boat (Beneteau Oceanis 281). Can't figure how to post photos on this site, despite the instructions, but if you would like I can e-mail them to you. Basically all I did was remove two hatch boards and use them as a template to make a custom board with a cutout sized to accomodate a small window AC unit. I added a handle on top of the unit to male it easier to lift in and out of the opening.
Bill
Catalina 320
Bill
Catalina 320
Photos would be helpful
My cabin boards are so thin that I am wondering what secures the air unit in the cut out?
My email is stognerphil@gmail.com
My cabin boards are so thin that I am wondering what secures the air unit in the cut out?
Have you considered putting the AC unit in another location and using a flexible ducting in a port for easier access?
Something like this could be made in a sheet metal shop.
Something like this could be made in a sheet metal shop.
Duct for air
On my Bayfield 25 it is not practical to try the duct work. I like the idea though. I was using an insulated box over air unit which I tied and taped on forward hatch above vberth.
This may not answer your direct question, but might change the idea.
I merely set a portable on the companionway sill (pic), omitting the bottom drop board, then stack the other 2 boards on top. There is a plastic crate just high enough under the aft of the unit to allow it to tilt back, which allows the water to drain into the cockpit. Any stable box will do. I think the Bayfield has a bridge deck, so you might not even need the box.
Then I simply stuff towels at the edges to keep air and bugs out.
Remove the top boards to exit\enter by just stepping over the unit. It's in the way, but a small price for July\August comfort at the dock. Takes 5 minutes to install\remove.
Works fantastic, and with no boat mods\construction. I figure I'm only going to use it about 8 times a year during the warmest months, so why modify the boat.
I merely set a portable on the companionway sill (pic), omitting the bottom drop board, then stack the other 2 boards on top. There is a plastic crate just high enough under the aft of the unit to allow it to tilt back, which allows the water to drain into the cockpit. Any stable box will do. I think the Bayfield has a bridge deck, so you might not even need the box.
Then I simply stuff towels at the edges to keep air and bugs out.
Remove the top boards to exit\enter by just stepping over the unit. It's in the way, but a small price for July\August comfort at the dock. Takes 5 minutes to install\remove.
Works fantastic, and with no boat mods\construction. I figure I'm only going to use it about 8 times a year during the warmest months, so why modify the boat.
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Nothing missing. Do you mean with the AC unit in place? Yes, it's a big step; as I said it's in the way, but it's not that big a deal for the short time span that I need it. I hold the hatch edges and hoist myself up and over, or down. Pic attached shows without AC unit.
Wish I had built-in AC, but that requires boat mods, including cutting up the interior - which I'd rather have a blocked companionway.
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It seems that the companionway is as convenient a place as any ... where do you have room to set it near a port light? I would put a portable at the companionway to keep the noise removed from the bow sleeping quarters and because it would be the most out-of-the-way space on the boat anyway. It makes no sense to operate it if you are going in and out of the companionway.
I looked at those. They're huge. Or "Yuge", like my buddy from New York says. About 2 feet high and a foot and a half wide and deep on a small one. Would be in the way in the cabin, and difficult to store. Also, twice the cost. Although, depending on interior setup some boats might accommodate no problem, eliminating the companionway blockage. Mine wouldn't work, mostly due to the closest opening port being forward, where there is no room for an AC. And I think a Bayfield 25 would have a problem.
Mine is hardly heavy. Maybe 35 pounds. I just toss it in the quarterberth when not in use, and haul it away in my trunk when the season cools a bit.
I have a O'Day 25. I put a foam rubber pad under the rear of a cheap Walmart window unit to hold it at the right angle when resting on the bottom of the companionway. Then I cut a plywood door to slide over it in the companionway slots. When I go in and out I just pick up one board and there is plenty of room to step beside the ac unit. Quick and cheap.
I have the portable ac unit. Didn't listen to the majority comments to avoid it. Wish I had. Big bulky not powerful enough. For the money and the actual ease of use, the small window units in companionway would have been better.
Good photos and descriptions from guys who have figured out mounting in companionway. Thanks for sharing.
Good photos and descriptions from guys who have figured out mounting in companionway. Thanks for sharing.